The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a suite of exams designed to support you in working, studying, or immigrating to a country where English is the main language. This includes Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The test evaluates your skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking English. The IELTS exam is scored on a 1 to 9 scale and is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English.
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Test type | Cost (INR) |
---|---|
IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration | 15,100 |
Computer delivered IELTS | 14,700 |
IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1) | 13,940 |
Pen and paper based IELTS | 14,700 |
IELTS has two categories: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Both exams assess your listening, reading, writing, and speaking abilities in English.
The IELTS Academic test is tailored for students planning to study at a university or in an English-speaking environment (higher education). IELTS Academic can also be used for professional registration.
The test determines if you are ready to begin studying in English. It features language commonly used in academic settings.
The IELTS General Training test is suitable for those applying to study at a level below a bachelor's degree. This category includes English-speaking schools and colleges. It can also be used for work experience or other types of training in the workplace.
For migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, IELTS General Training is also required. The test covers everyday English language skills needed in social and professional environments.
1. To work, live, or study in an English-speaking country, you must demonstrate a high level of English language proficiency.
2. With 379 million speakers worldwide, English is the third most spoken language globally.
3. Being able to communicate in the host country's native language has numerous advantages. It is also essential for securing a job and integrating into the community.
4. IELTS is the standard test for people wishing to migrate to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom. Over 11,000 employers, universities, schools, and immigration bodies around the world recognize it, including 3,400 in the United States.
As mentioned earlier, the Academic module is tailored for students planning to study at a university or in an English-speaking environment, while the General Training module is suitable for those applying to study at a level below a bachelor's degree, work experience, or other types of training in the workplace.
The results will be available in 5–7 days (computer-delivered) and 13 days (paper-based).
IELTS doesn't have a pass/fail system. You are graded on your performance in the test, using scores from 1–9 for each part of the test: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. After that, you'll get an overall score based on the results of the four components. Wherever and whenever the test is taken, the unique 9-band scoring system measures performance in a consistent fashion. It is well-known and well-understood on a global scale.
Band score | Skill level | Description |
---|---|---|
9 | Expert user | The test taker has fully operational command of the language. Their use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, and shows complete understanding. |
8 | Very good user | The test taker has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. They may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. They handle complex and detailed argumentation well. |
7 | Good user | The test taker has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. They generally handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning. |
6 | Competent user | The test taker has an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings. They can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. |
5 | Modest user | The test taker has a partial command of the language and copes with overall meaning in most situations, although they are likely to make many mistakes. They should be able to handle basic communication in their own field. |
4 | Limited user | The test taker’s basic competence is limited to familiar situations. They frequently show problems in understanding and expression. They are not able to use complex language. |
3 | Extremely limited user | The test taker conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. There are frequent breakdowns in communication. |
2 | Intermittent user | The test taker has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
1 | Non user | The test taker has no ability to use the language except a few isolated words. |
0 | Did not attempt the test | The test taker did not answer the questions. |
Listening, Reading and Writing are completed in one sitting. The Speaking test can be done on the same day as the other tests or up to seven days before or after.
The Listening and Speaking tests are the same for all test takers, however the Reading and Writing tests alter depending on whether they are taking the Academic or General Training versions of the examination.
The module is divided into four sections, each with ten questions. It takes 40 minutes to complete: 30 minutes for testing and 10 minutes for transferring the results to an answer sheet.
Each segment begins with a brief explanation of the scenario and the speakers to the test taker. After that, they have some time to go over the questions. The questions are arranged in the same sequence as the information in the recording, thus the first question's answer will come before the second question's answer, and so on. A pause in the midst of the first three parts allows test takers to review the remaining questions. Each part is only heard once.
Students are given 10 minutes at the end of the test to transfer their responses to an answer sheet. Test takers will lose marks if their spelling and grammar are improper.
The reading paper is divided into three segments, with texts ranging from 2,150 to 2,750 words in length. Multiple-choice and short-answer questions, identifying information, identifying writer's perspectives, labelling diagrams, producing a summary using terms extracted from the text, and matching information/headings/features in the text/sentence ends will be among the question types. Test takers should be cautious while putting down their answers because improper spelling and grammar will result in a loss of marks.
Three reading texts for non-specialist audiences are drawn from books, journals, periodicals, newspapers, and online resources. All of the themes are of general relevance to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Section 1 consists of two or three short pieces (or multiple shorter texts) dealing with common topics. For example, schedules or notices — anything that a person living in an English-speaking country would need to be aware of.
Section 2: contains two texts, which deal with work.
Section 3: contains one long text regarding a topic of wide interest, such as job descriptions, contracts, and training materials. The text is more descriptive, longer, and sophisticated than the first and second sections. The text will be pulled from a newspaper, magazine, book, or website.
There are two activities on the Writing paper that must be completed. Test takers must write at least 150 words in roughly 20 minutes for task 1. Test takers must write at least 250 words in roughly 40 minutes for task 2. If a test taker's answer is too brief or does not relate to the topic, they will be penalized. Complete sentences should be written in the answers (test takers must not use notes or bullet points).
Task 1 In their own words, test takers describe a graph, table, chart, map, procedure, pie chart, or diagram.
Task 2: test takers discuss a point of view, argument, or problem. Test takers may be asked to offer a solution to a problem, present and justify an opinion, compare and contrast evidence, viewpoints, and consequences, and evaluate and criticise ideas, evidence, or an argument, depending on the job.
Task 1: test takers compose a letter in response to a real-life scenario. For example, writing to an accommodation officer about problems with your accommodation, writing to a new employer about time management issues, or writing to a local newspaper about a plan to construct a local airport are all examples of writing to an accommodation officer.
Task 2:test takers write an essay about a topic of general interest. For instance, whether smoking should be prohibited in public areas, if children's leisure activities should be educational, and how to address environmental issues.
The speaking test consists of a one-on-one conversation between the test taker and the examiner.
Section 1 (4–5 minutes): introduction and interview : Test takers may be asked questions about their home, family, employment, studies, hobbies, interests, reasons for taking the IELTS exam, and other general themes like clothing, spare time, computers, and the Internet.
Section 2: long turn (3–4 minutes). A task card about a specific topic is presented to test takers. Test takers have one minute to prepare to talk about this topic. The task card outlines the topics that should be covered in the talk as well as one facet of the topic that must be explained throughout the talk. After that, test takers are asked to discuss for 1 to 2 minutes about the topic, after which the examiner may ask one or two questions.
Section 3: discussions (4–5 minutes). The third section consists of a discussion between the examiner and the test taker, usually about questions related to the theme that they discussed in Section 2. These questions are normally divided into two sections of four or five questions each.
Understand the structure of the test, the types of
questions, and the scoring system.
Use practice materials and sample tests to get comfortable with the types of questions you'll encounter on the actual test.
Read, write, listen, and speak in English as much as possible to improve your language skills and build your confidence.
Develop strategies to manage your time effectively, understand the question types, and approach each section with a plan.
Seek feedback from teachers, peers, or language experts to identify areas for improvement.
Enroll in a reputable IELTS coaching center or online course to get structured guidance and support.
Familiarize yourself with current events and trending topics, as these may appear in the test materials.
Simulate test conditions by completing practice tests within the allotted time.
Maintain a positive attitude, stay organized, and manage your stress levels to ensure peak performance on test day.
Analyze your performance in practice tests to identify areas where you need to improve and focus your preparation efforts.
By following these tips and dedicating time and effort to your IELTS preparation, you can achieve the scores you need to succeed in your academic or professional pursuits.
A: The IELTS Academic test is designed for those who want to study at a university or institution in an English-speaking country, while the IELTS General Training test is intended for immigration purposes or work experience. The Listening and Speaking sections are the same for both tests, but the Reading and Writing sections differ in content and focus.
A: The total test time for the IELTS exam is around 2 hours and 45 minutes. The Listening section takes 30 minutes, the Reading section takes 60 minutes, the Writing section takes 60 minutes, and the Speaking section takes 11-14 minutes.
A: The IELTS exam is scored on a scale from 1 to 9 for each of the four sections (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking). The scores are then averaged to produce an overall band score.
A: IELTS scores are generally valid for two years from the test date. However, some institutions or organizations may have their own validity requirements, so it's essential to check with the specific organization you're applying to.
A: There is no limit to the number of times you can take the IELTS exam. However, it's recommended to allow sufficient time between tests to improve your English skills and prepare more effectively.