Getting started with IELTS
Gaining edification from abroad is the desire of many students because it provides certain benefits to them. Therefore, for entry to any of the English-speaking countries, certain language testing examinations are requisite like TOEFL, CELPIP, PTE, and IELTS. These tests are conducted to check the English language proficiency of the candidate.
IELTS:
IELTS or International English Language Testing System is taken by those people who want to go to English speaking countries either for studies or for work. The scores are calculated on a nine-band scale which comprises four modules that are Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. Scores in each module are nine-band and overall are also nine-band.
Why IELTS
Regarded as the most trustworthy and impartial English proficiency test for study, work, and immigration. Most academic institutions in English- Speaking countries like the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom demand IELTS score. Many professional organizations demand an IELTS score for work purposes in English speaking countries.
Conducting Body
This test is designed by Cambridge University, jointly managed by IDP (International Development Program) and BC (British Council).
Types of Test
IELTS Academic: This test is taken by those students who want to go abroad for studies after completion of their senior secondary. IELTS General: People who want to go abroad for work purposes or for gaining Permanent Residency (PR) take this test.
Mode of Test
Computer Delivered TestPencil and Paper Based Test
Scoring System and Fees
The scores range from 0–9 band scale and requirement is different for different countries and requirement varies depending upon the qualification of the students scores are valid for two years. Fees are INR 13,250/-
Modules
Reading: This module has a total of 40 questions and the duration to complete this module is 60 minutes, wherein three long passages are given and the student is supposed to answer the different types of questions (Fill ups, MCQ’s, True/False/Not Given, Table completion, etc.) from the passage only.
Listening: A track of around 30 minutes is played and simultaneously the student answers the questions related to the track. Total questions in this module are 40 and after completion of the track, students are given extra 10 minutes to transfer the answers to the final answer sheet.
Writing: In this module, two types of tasks are there. Task-1 is Report Writing which comprises describing tables, graphs, charts, maps, and diagrams in a minimum of 150 words and in Task-2 candidate is required to write minimum 250 words long essay on a given topic.
Speaking: It is generally an 11 to 15 minutes long face-to-face interview that has three sections. In the first section general introductory questions are asked related to his likes, dislikes, family, friends, and so on. In the second section, which is Q- card (Question Card) round, a topic is given to the student on which he is supposed to speak for around two minutes, and the third round is the Follow-up round where the student is asked questions related to the topic given in the Q- card.
Please Note:
The speaking test is conducted separately on a different date and not with Reading, Listening, and Writing. It can be either before the R/L/W test or after the L/R/W test. Speaking and Listening Tests are the same in IELTS Academic and IELTS General but there is a slight difference in IELTS General Reading and Writing. In IELTS General, Task-1 is letter writing and Task-2 is the same as it is in IELTS Academic. There are small passages in the first two sections in IELTS General, so the total is four small passages and one long passage.
