IELTS Exam | Format, Syllabus, Scoring & Preparation

IELTS

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What Is IELTS?

IELTS, or, International English Language Testing System, is a standardised test accepted internationally taken by non native English speakers to check their proficiency in English Language.

Types Of IELTS

There are two types of IELTS exams conducted, both for different purposes:

  1. IELTS Academic
  2. IELTS General training

Purpose Of IT

  • IELTS Academic is taken by those test takers who wish to seek admission in universities abroad and/or other institutions abroad for higher education or professional practice.
  • IELTS General Training is taken by test takers who want to immigrate to a different country, wish to work in a different country for work experience or join non-academic training programmes.

Countries Where IT Is Accepted

Institutions in Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States accept IELTS scores as a minimum criteria for non-native English speakers to demonstrate their English proficiency before admission.

It’s Scoring System

IELTS is evaluated on a Band System. There are no pass/fail criteria in IELTS.

For each of the four sections- Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking- the test takers receive separate Band Scores. The Overall Score is the averaged round off of the individual scores.

Rounding Off

If the averaged Overall Score of the four sections leaves 0.25 at the end, it is rounded to the next half band, and if it ends with a 0.75, it is rounded to the next whole band.

For example, if the average score for the four sections is 8.25, then it is rounded up to 8.5 and the test taker is said to have an Overall Score of 8.5 Bands.

Similarly, if the average of the four sections is 8.75, it is rounded up to 9 and the test taker achieves an Overall Score of 9 Bands.

Band Table

Difference Between IELTS Exam- Academic and IELTS Exam- General Training

The IELTS Exam- Academic and IELTS General Training have a few points in common as well as a few dissimilarities.

  • Dissimilarities:
    • IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training differ, first of all, in the overall purpose of taking the IELTS Exam.
    • While the IELTS Academic is taken with the intention of securing admission to universities for higher education, the IELTS General Training is taken by IELTS exam takers for non-academic purposes like work experience, immigration etc.
    • Also, the Reading and Writing sections of the IELTS exam for both the Academic as well as General Training IELTS exams are different.
  • Similarities:
    • The Listening and Speaking sections of the IELTS exam for both IELTS Academic as well as General Training are the same.
    • The system of scoring of bands, the duration of the IELTS exam and length of answers in the sections are also same for both IELTS Academic and General Training.

Structure Of the Exam:

The IELTS exam is divided into four sections- Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

Duration Of Each Section:

  • Listening – 30 minutes + 10 minutes for transferring answers
  • Reading – 60 minutes
  • Writing – 60 minutes
  • Speaking- 11 to 14 minutes

Total Test Time – 2 Hrs 45 Mins

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    IELTS preparation services are offered by a variety of coaching centres, both offline and online

    There are numerous websites offering IELTS coaching and IELTS online tests for preparation which you can undergo from the comfort of your home.

    The internet is full of websites offering free IELTS online tests. You can use those resources if you do not want to pay separately for IELTS mock tests.

    Yes. There are a large number of IELTS Reading practice test samples available on the internet. These IELTS Reading practice test samples are available for free as well as in the paid version. You can opt for any IELTS Reading mock test, paid or free, as per your convenience.

    Yes. There are various IELTS Speaking practice test resources available online. The IELTS Speaking practice test resources are available in free as well as paid versions. You can opt for either paid or free IELTS Speaking mock test as per your convenience.

    The fee for IELTS Paper based test is 14,700/- INR. and the fees for IELTS Online Test is 15,500/- INR.

    In the online version, test takers have to type their answers on the computer while in the paper-based exam, they have to write the answers in the provided answer sheet.

    The structure of both the versions of the exam is the same.

    In the Paper based version, the Speaking test is conducted within 7 days from the date the IELTS exam was taken, whereas in the online version, it is taken on the same day as that of the exam.

    Since the exam pattern remains the same in both the versions, Paper Based as well as Online, it all boils down to the test taker’s comfort, whether he or she is more comfortable typing answers on a computer or writing them down on the provided answer sheet.

    IELTS is offered in more than 140 countries and over 1,600 locations. You have the option to choose the nearest test centre from your location.

    In a year, there are up to 48 dates, i.e., 4 dates per month, available to take the exam.

    The IELTS Academic is conducted on all the 48 dates, whereas the IELTS General Training is conducted on 24 dates throughout the year.

    IELTS exam booking can be done by registering online by logging on the IELTS official website, selecting the date and location as per your convenience, making the required payment, and thus completing your IELTS Exam booking.

    In a year, there are up to 48 dates, i.e., 4 dates per month, available to take the exam.

    For more information about the process of IELTS Exam booking, you can visit their official website.

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