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 in nine- band scale which comprises of four modules that is Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. Scores in each module is nine- band and overall is 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 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 Test
- Pencil and Paper Based Test
Scoring System and Fees
- The scores range from 0-9 band scale
- Band requirement is different for different countries
- Band requirement varies depending upon the qualification of the student
- The scores are valid for two years.
- Fees is INR 13,250/-
Modules
- Reading: This module has total 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 of 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 11 to 15 minutes long face-to-face interview which 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, that 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 third round is Follow-up round where the student is asked questions related to the topic given in the Q- card.
Please Note:
- Speaking test is conducted separately on a different date and not with Reading, Listening, and Writing. It can be either before R/L/W test or after L/R/W test.
- Speaking and Listening Tests are same in IELTS Academic and IELTS General but there is slight difference in IELTS General Reading and Writing. In IELTS General, Task-1 is letter writing and Task-2 is same as it is in IELTS Academic. There are small passages in first two sections in IELTS General, so total is four small passages and one long passage.