IELTS, is designed to evaluate the language proficiency of candidates (Non native speakers) who aspire to study or work in English speaking countries. It is the world”s proven English test .Over 1.4 million candidates take the test each year to start their journeys into international education and employment. IELTS is designed to measure English language skills at all levels. There is no pass or fail in IELTS. Results are based on individual performance and are reported as band score on a scale from 1-9.
IELTS is offered up to four times a month in more than 125 countries. Tests are usually on Saturday or Thursdays. A list of all IELTS test centres across the globe is available at – www.ielts.org
Test results
Candidate will receive a Test Report form which reports a score for each of the four skills -listening, reading, writing and speaking as well as an overall band score. Results are issued 13 days after the test.
IELTS consists of four modules
1 – LISTENING (4 sections, 40 items –30 minutes)
2 – READING (3 sections, 40 items- 30 minutes)
3 – WRITING (2 tasks –60 minutes)
4 – SPEAKING (3 parts – 11-14 minutes)
Listening: Each section has 10 questions.The following question types are used in the listening test ;
- Multiple choice
- Flow chart completion
- Matching
- Short answer types
- Diagram labelling
- Note completion
- Form completion
- Table completion
- Classification
- Sentence completion
- Summary completion
Section 1 is a conversation in an everyday context between two people.
Section 2 is a monologue in an everyday issue.
Section 3 is a conversation in an educational context between two or more people.
Section 4 is a lecture or talk on a topic of general academic interest.
Reading:
Each section has 13-14 questions and may have diagrams, graphs and illustrations. The following question types are used in the academic reading test.
- Multiple choice
- Identifying information
- Matching information
- Flowchart completion
- Matching headings
- Matching sentence endings
- Diagram label completion
- Short answer questions
- Summary completion
- Sentence completion
The texts are of general interest and are taken from magazines, journals, books and newspaper.
There are two tasks and it is suggested that the candidate spend about 20 minutes on TASK1 which requires them to write at least 150 words and 40 minutes on TASK 2 -250 words
Note – The assessment of TASK 2 carries more weight in marking than TASK1
TASK 1 – Candidates are expected to describe some information contained in a graph/table /pie chart/diagram/process/flow chart.
TASK 2 – Candidates have to write a short essay in response to a topicwhich is presented as a point of view,an argument or a problem.They are assessed on their ability to present a solution to a problem, present and justify an opinion with relevant examples.
Speaking:
There are three main parts:
Part 1 – Introduction
The candidate answers general qustions about himself, his home,family,job,studies,interests and a range of familiar areas.
Part 2 – Cue Card
The candidate is given a cue card with prompts and is asked to talk on a particular topic .Candidate is given one minute to prepare notes if he wishes,before speaking for between one or two minutes. After that examiner may ask one or two quiestions on the same topic.
Part 3 – Extended discourse
The examiner asks candidate further questions which are connected to the topic of part 2.These questions give you an opportunity to discuss more abstract issues and ideas.
Note – The whole speaking test is recorded.