The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is for testing the English language proficiency for students. The test is designed for assessing the abilities of candidates who want to work or study in a country where the common language of communication is English. The IELTS Test is accepted by universities, professional bodies, government agencies and immigration organisations. The IELTS exam is conducted by the British Council, IELTS Australia, and the Cambridge assessment. A candidate can appear for the IELTS exam as many times as it wants. The validity of the IELTS exam score is for 2 years only. The exam of IELTS is focused on assessing the skills of candidates in reading, writing, speaking and listening in the English language.
IELTS Registration
The IELTS exam takes place four times a month implying 48 days in a year. Candidates willing to give the exam need to register their information and pay the exam fees of IELTS to appear for the IELTS test. Candidates can visit the official website of the IELTS and register for the exam and include the requisite information for filling up the form. The registration is complete only when the IELTS exam fee is 15, 500INR is paid. Candidates can register for the exam either online or in-person by visiting the British Council office.
Who can take the Exam?
The students who want to opt for higher education and migrate to Countries like the UK, Canada, New Zealand, USA, Ireland and Australia can take this exam. Candidates can choose their preferred mode of appearing for the IELTS exam with either paper-based or computer-based. Candidates willing to work or study abroad where the medium of communication is English, they appear for the IELTS exam. Every year around 3 million candidates appear for the exam aspiring to study in universities across the world.
Types of IELTS Exam
The IELTS exam is held based on three different types which includes-
- IELTS Academic- this exam for the ones who want to pursue their higher education in an English speaking environment or university
- IELTS General Training- this test is for the ones who are willing to work or get direct Permanent Residency in an English speaking nation
- IELTS UKVI- this exam of IELTS is for those who want to study or work abroad , especially in the UK.
IELTS Exam Pattern
The IELTS exam has a specific format based on which candidates need to appear for the IELTS test. Candidates are assessed based on a given number of questions spread across four sections. The following elements of the exam are as follows:
- Listening- candidates can get to listen to an audio once. Based on the audio there are 40 questions which need to answered in 35-40n minutes
- Reading- candidates will be provided with four passages with 40 questions which you need to read and answer the questions in 60 minutes.
- Writing- This section includes 2 writing tasks that candidates need to solve in 60 minutes. Writing task 1 is for 150 words that need to be completed in 20 minutes. Writing task 2 is 250 words that needs to be written in 40 minutes.
- Speaking- this section of the exam holds an interview session. It has three parts including part 1 with introductory questions for candidates from everyday life. Part 2 includes a topic on which candidates need to speak. Part 3 iis a two-way topic of discussion.
Candidates have a total of 3 hours to complete their IELTS exam.
IELTS Score
IELTS Score is based on the range of a scale calculated from 1-9. It is possible for candidates to achieve half scores like 6.5 as well. It is advised that candidates first become aware of their choice of university where they want to study and know about their cut off IELTS band scores. Most universities demand a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 7 as their IELTS score. Accordingly, the scores by universities are also demanded based on the four sections. The recommended scores for aspirants appearing for different types of exam are:
- For IELTS Academic aspirants, the recommended IELTS score is 6 band in each section implying an overall 6.5.
- For IELTS General Training, it is advised that scores for reading, writing and speaking are 7 and listening is 8.
IELTS Cut Off
Different universities accept different scores in the IELTS exam for different countries. The acceptable scores in IELTS in different countries includes-
- For University in Australia, the overall average score is 4.5 with a minimum of 5 in each category, and maximum of 8 in each category.
- For Universities in Canada, a minimum of overall 6.5 and 6.0 in each section is acceptable. The maximum score ranges to having an overall score of 7.0 for the whole test.
- The minimum acceptable score in New Zealand accounts for 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each category for undergraduates and 6.5 for post-graduate students
- The minimum scores in IELTS accepted in the UK includes 6.0 in overall and 5.5 in each section although some programmes require a minimum of 7.0.