IELTS IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It measures English language skills of candidates who want to study, work or migrate to English speaking countries. It is owned and conducted jointly by IDP Education (IELTS Australia), the British Council, and the University of Cambridge. There is neither pass nor fail score in IELTS. Scores are reported on a 1-9 band scale. You will receive an overall band score as well as individual band scores in subtests. IELTS is English language proficiency test, so it is an English language requirement for colleges and universities in English speaking countries such as UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and USA. There are two modules in
IELTS test:
Academic and
General Training.
Academic Moduleis conducted for those candidates who wish to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels in English speaking countries such as USA, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
General Training Module is administered forthose candidates who wish to migrate to English-speaking countries or enroll in trainings or short-term courses below degree programs. TEST FOMRAT IELTS test consists of four subtests: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Listening and Speaking are the same for both Academic and General Training modules, yet there are some differences in Reading and Writing subtests.
Listening Subtest - The Listening subtest is 30 minutes long. - You will work on four sections. The first two sections are focused on social situations. Section 1 is a conversation between two speakers, and Section 2 is a talkprogrammeor news by a single speaker. The final two sections are concerned with educational or training contexts. Section 3 is a conversation between up to four speakers, and Section 4 is a university-style lecture. - You will be asked 40 questions. Each section contains 10 questions. - You will hear the listening only once. You should answer questions as you listen. However, you are given some time to read questions before the listening and some time to check your answers at the end of each section. The listening texts and the questions about them become more difficult as you progress through the sections.
Academic Reading Subtest - Academic Reading subtest is 60 minutes long. - You will receive 3 long passages.They are excerpted from a variety of fields of human endeavor: humanities, social studies, and natural sciences.They vary in style, and can include argumentative and expository elements. - You will be asked 40 questions about these passages. Each passage is followed by 13 or 14 questions. - You are not given extra time to transfer your answers.
General Training Reading Subtest - General Training Reading subtest is made up of three sections with 40 questions. - Reading passages are excerpted from notices, advertisements, leaflets, newspapers, instruction manuals, books and magazines. Section 1 contains two factual and informational passages relevant to basic linguistic survival. Section 2 gives two passages of work-related situations, with more difficult language. Section 3 includes one long complex reading passage similar in length to that of the academic reading, with emphasis on the descriptive and instructive rather than argumentative style. - Reading subtest will not give you extra time to transfer your answers.
Academic Writing Subtest
- Academic Writing subtest consists of 2 tasks to complete in 60 minutes.You may work on any task first, and then move onto the next one.
- In Task 1, you will be asked to describe a chart, table, map, graph, or diagram. You must write at least 150 words.You are advised to spend no more than 20 minutes.
- In Task 2, you will be asked to compose an essay on the assigned topic. There is no choice of topics, yet the assigned topic is of general interest.You can easily brainstorm ideas. You must write at least 250 words.You are advised to spend no more than 40 minutes.
- Task 2 is scored twice as much as Task 1.
General Training Writing Subtest
- General Training Writing subtest consists of two tasks to complete in 60 minutes.
- In Task 1, you will be asked to write a letter in the given situation. You must write at least 150 words.
You should use no more than 20 minutes.
- In Task 2, you will be asked to write an essay on the assigned topic. You will have no choice of topics.
You must write at least 250 words. You should not spend more than 40 minutes.
Speaking Subtest
Speaking subtest consists of an oral interview, face-to-face, between a candidate and an examiner. Speaking subtest is made up of three parts:
Introduction and Interview (4-5 minutes)
The examiner will introduce herself and ask you questions about family, interest, food, festivals, and other such topics of general interest. You are required to give details in your response.
Individual Long Turn (3-4 minutes)
You will receive a cue card on which the topic and a brief outline are printed. You will receive 1 minute to prepare for your talk. The examiner will give you scratch paper and a pencil to facilitate your preparation. You will have to speak for 2-3 minutes on the assigned topic.
Two-way Discussion (4-5 minutes)
The examiner will invite you to discuss the topics broadly related to Part 2 in Speaking Subtest. You are required to express opinions, give reasons, identify things, compare and contrast, and speculate in this part.