The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
IELTS assesses your ability to understand English.
The IELTS test comprises of four components Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The total duration of the test is 2 hours and 45 minutes and your Listening, Reading, and Writing tests will be conducted on the same day, without any breaks.
There are Two Types of the IELTS Exam:
- Academic
- General Training
Test-takers must know beforehand, which module is required for their purposes, as the scores are not interchangeable. Each test has a duration of two hours and forty-five minutes. Test-takers are required to pay IELTS fees for the administration of the exam.
Broadly speaking, IELTS is taken by individuals who wish to study, live, or work in a country where English is the primary language of communication. In particular, the test is taken by three fundamental classifications of individuals:
- The individuals who need to study in an English-medium school, university, or college in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, or New Zealand
- The individuals who wish to apply for immigration to nations, for example, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand
- The individuals who need to prove their English capability to meet the prerequisites of professional associations or regulatory bodies in various countries
The IELTS has existed since 1989. Today, more than 3 million tests are taken in more than 140 countries every year.
Computer-Based IELTS:
The Computer-based IELTS, as the name suggests, is IELTS taken on the computer instead of the pen and paper test, which is traditionally associated with the IELTS. The structure, patterns, and questions remain the same as the pen and paper version. Even how you book for the IELTS test is unchanged.
IELTS used to conduct computer-based tests in 2016 for the students willing to study in the UK. However, both the British Council and IDP have introduced Computer-based tests for all the students. The most beneficial part of the Computer Delivered IELTS is, that the results are declared in 5 to 7 days. The students can choose the time that is convenient, and there are more test dates for the Computer Based IELTS tests.
INFORMATION IN DETAIL
IELTS Eligibility
Many people have many questions linked with IELTS eligibility & IELTS Qualification Level, maybe this article will help you to clear all your doubts related to it.
The following content will guide you from IELTS eligibility until you appear in the IELTS test. Specifically, there are no minimum IELTS eligibility criteria set by the operating bodies of IELTS. Anyone who wishes to pursue higher studies abroad or wants to work abroad can attempt the IELTS exam (both Academic and General Training)
Who sets the IELTS eligibility criteria?
The British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English, cooperatively set the basic standard for IELTS eligibility.
Who needs to check their IELTS eligibility?
You will need to check the IELTS eligible if you fall into one of the following categories:
- Planning to study in the UK(United Kingdom), Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the USA(United States of America).
- Being a Medical specialist, planning to work or for further study in the UK, Australia, or the USA
- People planning to migrate to Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.
What is IELTS eligibility regarding the candidate’s qualification?
Generally, a person who has passed in 10+2 level of education from any recognized Institution is an acceptable qualification for IELTS (International English Language Testing System).
Is there any IELTS eligibility regarding the age limit of the candidate?
IELTS eligibility is set and not recommended for people who are below the age of 16. IELTS exam can be given by anyone around the globe irrespective of race, age, nationality, gender, or religion.
What is the IELTS eligibility regarding the availability of the documents?
The applicant must hold a valid passport, which is non-expired. Driving licenses, student IDs, and other documents are not accepted as valid proof of identification in the IELTS eligibility.
These IELTS eligibility criteria make sure that the candidate is prepared to face an environment where English is the language of communication
Every university has a different set of requirements and its own set of guidelines for giving admissions. Also, all the universities have set different IELTS Eligibility Criteria that candidates need to fulfill for getting admitted. In addition to this, candidates should also match the other eligibility requirements set by the university or the educational institute where they are planning to enroll.
The medium of teaching in a majority of the colleges, universities, and educational institutions in the major English-speaking countries is the English language only. So, the candidates should have a basic understanding of the language in order to pursue their higher studies successfully.
IELTS Syllabus
The IELTS Syllabus is determined by its administrators namely British Council, IDP, and Cambridge ESOL Examinations for both the versions ( IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training). The IELTS Syllabus contains four Components namely Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening. In the Listening and Speaking sections, there is the same IELTS syllabus for all applicants while the parts of reading and writing IELTS syllabus differs depending upon the General and Academic Test. From the following information, you can get more details of different sections in the IELTS syllabus.
IELTS syllabus for the Listening section
IELTS syllabus for the Listening part includes four units of increasing difficulty. Each unit includes either a speech or a dialogue which starts with a short introduction telling the applicant about the condition and the speakers. Then they have some time to look over questions. IELTS Syllabus is the same for both, Academic and General Training. It includes 4 sections of 40 items. They are as follows :
- One is a conversation between two individuals
- Second is a monologue/speech
- The third section is a conversation among a maximum of four candidates arranged in an academic setting
- The final one is a speech on an academic subject
IELTS syllabus for the reading section
IELTS syllabus for the reading part includes 3 sections, 40 items. In this, you need to read the text passages and answer questions in multiple-choice, sentence completion, summary writing, matching information, short answers. Each passage contains 13-14 questions. The reading module has in total of 40 questions. The IELTS syllabus for the reading section is different for both the versions
- Reading-IELTS syllabus for Academic training:
- The syllabus consists of 3 long texts
- The content includes the range from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical.
- The texts are of undisputed origin and are taken from journals, books, newspapers, and magazines.
- These are selected for a non-expert audience.
- Suitable for candidates entering into university courses or looking for professional registration in an international environment.
Reading- IELTS syllabus for General Training:
- Applicants are required to read topics from books newspapers, advertisements, magazines, company handbooks, guidelines, and notices
- These are materials one is likely to come across on a daily basis in English-speaking surroundings.
IELTS syllabus for the writing section
The IELTS syllabus for the writing section is different for both versions:
- In the Academic part for writing part, the IELTS syllabus has two tasks: in Task 1 applicants define a diagram, graph, procedure, or chart, and in Task 2 they explain the information in your own words
- In the General Training section, there are also two tasks: in Task 1 applicants write a letter or explain a condition, and in Task 2 they are asked to write an essay in response.
For full knowledge of writing, section contact us.
IELTS syllabus for the speaking section
- The test will be recorded for the purpose of evaluation and will include 3 parts that simulate a face-to-face oral interview with an examiner. It takes generally 11 to 14 minutes to complete. The IELTS syllabus for the speaking test comprises three segments. They are as follows :
- The first part is taken in the form of an interview throughout which applicants may be enquired about their preferences, interests, hobbies, explanation for taking IELTS test as well as other general IELTS speaking topics such as family, clothing computers, free time, fashion, computers, etc
- In the second part, applicants are given a specific topic card on which they have to talk. They will just have one minute to prepare.
- The third part includes a conversation between the examiner and the applicant, questions are asked related to the topic which they have already spoken about in part 2. This last segment is more immaterial and is regularly measured the most difficult.
Clear all your doubts about the Speaking section: Contact us
IELTS syllabus is designed in such a way to tests your ability on the basis of four skill sets which we have explained above. One must be aware of the admission process related to the IELTS of the particular institute where he or she has applied because it varies from institution to institution. However, it is suggested that keep yourself updated on the selection procedure of the college/university you are applying to. All the section is important and difficult in their way. However, as per the survey worldwide, the toughest part of IELTS is the writing part. So, now that you have known the IELTS syllabus start preparing for your test as soon as possible.
There are two versions in the IELTS exam pattern:
- Academic Training- For applicants taking the test for entry to undergraduate or postgraduate studies for proficient reasons.
- General Training- For applicants entering into training or professional programs and not for any educational degree, or for admission in secondary schools and for immigration purposes.
IELTS exam pattern
The two major bodies responsible for formulating and designing the IELTS exam pattern are the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and the British Council. British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment conduct the IELTS test to measure a candidate’s proficiency level in the English language. The IELTS exam Pattern is designed to reflect the daily life use of English in different walks of life; at the study, at work, at play, and at a social gathering.
Candidates have to start the preparation by understanding the IELTS exam pattern, in such a manner so as to achieve the desired result. Plenty of students faces difficulties while understanding accents and expressions used by British speakers when they appear for the TOEFL. So it is better to interpret the IELTS exam pattern properly to gain a good score.
According to the IELTS exam pattern, the total time for the IELTS exam is 2 hours and 45 minutes. IELTS exam pattern contains 4 sections, Listening, Writing, Reading, and Speaking. Details about these sections are given below :
- Listening: The total duration of this section is 30 minutes and it is divided into 4 sections. Candidates are expected to answer 40 questions of different types.
- Writing: The length of this section is 60 minutes and it includes 2 questions where candidates are asked to write a short essay of a minimum of 250 words. Furthermore, students are given diagrams, data, or table, for which the appearing person have to explain it in their own words.
- Reading: The reading section contains 3 sections of general interest that are related to the issues regarding candidates pursuing programs like the post-graduate or undergraduate program. The total time allotted for this section is 60 minutes and it includes almost 40 questions.
- Speaking: The total time allotted for this section varies from 11 to 14 minutes and here candidates also have to give a face-to-face interview.
The following table of the IELTS exam pattern can give you a bird’s-eye view of all the sections:
IELTS Test Module | Time Duration | Brief Description |
Listening | 30 minutes | 4 sections, 40 items |
Writing | 60 minutes | 2 Writing tasks |
Reading | 60 minutes | 3 sections, 40 questions |
Speaking | 11-14 minutes | 3 part one-on-one conversation |
Some points to be noted regarding the IELTS exam pattern:
- Candidates appear for the Listening, Reading, and Writing tests one after the other without any breaks in between the sections.
- The IELTS Speaking test may be taken within the time of 7 days before or after the other Elements.
- In both the versions – IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, each candidate is required to take the same Listening and Speaking modules, whereas in reading and writing modules it differs.
- The IELTS scores are marked on the unique IELTS 9-band scale for both versions.
How to prepare for IELTS? IELTS Preparation Tips:
- Any exam needs 80% of the preparation to pass, and 20% of that preparation to clear it. Once you have understood the format for the kind of test you would want to take, start skimming through IELTS Exam practice tests papers and IELTS sample tests.
- You can take the IELTS practice test online by factoring in the time you will be given for taking the actual tests. You can find them on the website where sample questions and answers are given. Separately, you can also buy IELTS preparation books and related IELTS study material and IELTS listening practice tests that are available at British Council IELTS tests centers and selected bookstores across the globe.
- The British Council IELTS website has a list of IELTS Preparation books with a brief description that you could refer to while preparing for your IELTS test.
- Likewise, you can ask for some good book references from the people who have taken the exam before you. The Official Cambridge IELTS Guide is one top recommendations by many. It comes with a DVD and has questions for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Another is the Cambridge IELTS Practice Tests Series.
- Many IELTS Preparation books are available, but you should first stick to the source material for the preparation, i.e. IELTS vocabulary books, the British Council IELTS books, Cambridge IELTS books, and the like.
IELTS Preparation
These are some essential steps that you must follow while preparing for the IELTS test. Some also ask how to prepare for IELTS at Home. It may seem like a daunting task, but we are going to give you some helpful IELTS study tips to help you refine your study habits.
- You must concentrate on building your Core English Skills
- A major error some IELTS applicants make when preparing for the exam is concentrating only on IELTS mock tests. Many consider that the IELTS more mock tests they do, the better prepared they will be. This is a misconception.
- The test is talent-based, not knowledge-based. This means that every IELTS mock test you do will comprise diverse content that you cannot study for. It is about the excellence of your abilities, and not the number of your IELTS mock tests.
- Language is an ability. Therefore, you need to learn speaking skills, listening skills, writing skills, and reading skills. You can’t approach building your language abilities the same way when you do IELTS mock tests. Though understanding the exam format is half the battle, do not undervalue the necessity to develop your language skills.
- So, find a good English teacher, take an IELTS course and immerse yourself in the language through IELTS Preparation books and other novels, newspapers, music, and movies. Find some English-speaking friends and organize an English-only conversation club. The more normal the language becomes to you, the more calm you are going to feel in the exam.
Learn from your weaknesses
To achieve success anywhere, you will have to learn from your mistakes and be aware of the weaknesses and habits you repeat. Candidates often tend to repeat the same mistakes repeatedly even after they are given thorough feedback. Take your time to understand your errors thoroughly. Are they related to spelling? If so, follow IELTS writing tips, practice writing misspelled words correctly. Are your errors related to verb tense? Then focus on that, is it related to vocabulary? Then focus on that. Learn the rules and how to use them. The important thing is to not make those errors again. Are you nervous or feeling tense? Contact us: We will help you.
IELTS Essay Writing Tips
Develop your writing skills by learning how to structure an essay paragraph by paragraph. Practice IELTS reading Practice test and understanding IELTS essay questions. It is easy to go off-topic or not directly answer the question. Additionally, read many different sample IELTS essay questions and write sample responses.
The more practice you get writing responses to different IELTS essay questions, the more comfortable you will feel with various topics. Be careful not to memorize sample IELTS essays. I have seen many candidates make this mistake. Even if you get a similar topic in the exam, the concentration of the question will be diverse and so the answer will have to exactly address the question.
IELTS examiners know how to spot learned essays and they will give zero no matter how well written it is. It is also significant to practice writing 250 words in timed situations. Your writing should be neat and legible. Therefore, if you do not feel comfortable with writing by hand, then practice more writing, until you feel comfortable doing that.
IELTS Speaking Practice
- The same goes for IELTS speaking Test. IELTS speaking practice can be done with a friend. Become comfortable talking about yourself and your experiences. You can have some common answers pre-prepared related to your basic information related to the first part of the test, but this should come out as impulsive and natural.
- Furthermore, remember to avoid memorizing presentations for part 2. The examiner will know if you are repeating memorized answers. Always keep in mind that you are talking about yourself. Therefore, develop a habit to do it on a daily basis. Even if it means speaking to yourself!
Read a diverse range of articles
- Read up on general topics such as news, current affairs, science, climate change, animals, history, economics, sociology, etc. The more you read, the more you will develop the habit of understanding the context of the sentences and new vocabulary.
- This will help you increase your knowledge of English and feel more comfortable with the reading paragraphs in the exam. If you are doing the IELTS academic, but have never read an academic paragraph until the day of the exam, you could be in trouble. So, use sites like National Geographic, the Economist, the New Internationalist, and Science Daily to become an academic reader.
Learn native-like fluency
You can listen to some podcasts and ted talks to understand different accents and pronunciations. Not only can this help you understand different accents, but is also a great way to expose yourself to new vocabulary and different interesting IELTS speaking topics. Remember, the broader your general language and general knowledge, the more comfortable you will be with the language and topics in the test.
Know the test tips and strategies
Finally, learn the exam tips and strategies and apply them to practice exams. This will help you learn how to manage your time and how to utilize it effectively to complete each section of the exam. Time management is one of the most important aspects when it comes down to tests. However, at the end of the day, it rests on your language skills the most.
Understand and analyze each module of the test thoroughly. For example, understand the IELTS reading Practice test – how many passages there are, how long they are, how many questions there are, the types of questions there are, etc. This will help you understand where you should be given more time, and where it should be less. When you have learned and answered every type of question, you will not be surprised on the test day with something new. Once you feel comfortable answering True, False, Not Given questions for example, then you will not be afraid of them when you see them on test day.
IELTS Exam Fees:
IELTS is taken into more than 100 countries in the world. The IELTS registration fees vary from country to country. Therefore, one may have to pay comparatively more or less in order to appear for the IELTS Exam.
The IELTS test fee in India differs as per the test type. Please refer below table for detailed information on IELTS test fees:
Test Type | Cost (INR) | Action |
---|---|---|
Computer-delivered IELTS for UKVI | 15,750 | Book Now |
Computer-delivered IELTS | 15,500 | Book Now |
IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1) | 14600 | Book Now |
IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration | 15,750 | Book Now |
Pen and paper based IELTS | 15,500 | Book Now |
Disclaimer – While we try to make every effort to provide accurate IELTS fee, the information provided here is subject to change.
Mode of Payment
IELTS test fee can be paid by using the following modes:
- Credit/ Debit (Visa or Master) and Netbanking
- Demand Draft – Please ensure that the demand draft is drawn in favour of “IDP EDUCATION INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, Payable at New Delhi” and is made from the list of approved banks. Find the list in the Terms & Conditions document here.
- Bank deposit – Alternatively, candidates can deposit cash in ICICI/HDFC bank branches through a customized deposit slip that can either be downloaded from IELTS IDP India website or obtained from the nearest IELTS IDP branch office/ referral partner. It is mandatory to attach the original customer copy of the deposit slip along with the IELTS application form
How to find the IELTS Exam Date?
IELTS exam dates can be scheduled 4 times a month. You can choose your IELTS exam dates and convenient test center on the IELTS website as well as the type of exam you want to take i.e IELTS Academic training or IELTS General Training. You will then see IELTS exam dates that are available according to you and click then fill out the application form.
Candidates who are looking to book their required test center and IELTS exam Dates are required to do the following:
- Visit the IDP official website and click on Register
- Click on ‘Find Test Date’ and enter in the month city and module of choice
- You will be then redirected to the IELTS Application: Check Test Availability page
- Candidates are required to select the desired date and click Apply
Before you start your IELTS registration process you need to make a few decisions regarding :
- The version of the IELTS you wish to take (Academic or general version).
- The format in which you wish to take (computer-based or paper-based ).
- For which organization do you want to take IELTS (for the applied organization).
- In which test center do you want to appear for the test (maybe nearest to you).
IELTS results
If you have appeared for the computer-delivered IELTS test, you will get your IELTS result online within 5 to 7 days and if you have appeared for paper-based IELTS you have to wait for 13 calendar days to view your IELTS result online from the test date. IELTS result remains online for only 28 days.
IELTS results are divided on the 9 level IELTS band scores system, so there is no pass and fail system in it. Each institute or organization specifies its individual level of IELTS results to meet its individual requirement. The IELTS 9 scoring system reports the test scores of each candidate.
Requirements to view IELTS results:
You will need your ID number, which must be the same as you used before while booking your IELTS TEST or passport, and your candidate number.
To check your IELTS Result follow the steps detailed below :
- Visit the official British Council IELTS website to check IELTS results online.
- Next, you have to click on the ‘’Take an exam’’ option under which you have to click ‘IELTS’’
- Next, you will find an option of ‘’Your Results’’, on the right-hand side of the page, click on it.
- On the next page, you will have to select the ‘’Preview your IELTS result online’’ option. Before you click that, make sure you go through the information shared on the page.
- When you click ‘Preview your IELTS result online’, you will have to fill in the details of the test date, date of birth, identification document number, and candidate number and then click on the ‘’Find’’ option.
- As another option or possibility, you can prefer the other way: you can collect your IELTS result from the test center. You can check your IELTS result at the center itself by giving your password or ID number you used while registering for the exam.
IELTS Bands
The table below shows how IELTS result scores are calculated and converted into band scores.
IELTS Listening score
Correct Answers | Scored Bands |
13-15 | 4.5 |
16-17 | 5 |
18-22 | 5.5 |
23-25 | 6 |
26-29 | 6.5 |
30-31 | 7 |
32-34 | 7.5 |
35-36 | 8 |
37-38 | 8.5 |
39-40 | 9 |
IELTS Reading Academic Score
Correct Answers | Scored Bands |
13-14 | 4.5 |
15-18 | 5 |
19-22 | 5.5 |
23-26 | 6 |
27-29 | 6.5 |
30-32 | 7 |
33-34 | 7.5 |
35-36 | 8 |
37-38 | 8.5 |
39-40 | 9 |
IELTS General Reading
Correct Answers | Scored Bands |
19-22 | 4.5 |
23-26 | 5 |
27-29 | 5.5 |
31-32 | 6 |
32-33 | 6.5 |
34-35 | 7 |
36 | 7.5 |
37-38 | 8 |
39 | 8.5 |
40 | 9 |
The validity of IELTS results :
The candidate who has received the IELTS result can use it for a period of 2 years after the test, as it expires after the given period and loses its validity.
COMPARISION:
While IELTS uses a 9-band scale for scores in each of its sections as well as overall, TOEFL iBT has 30 marks for each of its 4 sections and an overall score out of 120. PTE uses a granular scale of 10 to 90 to give overall scores, as well as individual scores for Communicative Skills and Enabling Skills.
IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE: Score Comparison | |||
IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Proficiency Level |
9 | 118-120 | 89-90 | Expert |
8.5 | 115-117 | 83-85 | Very Good |
8 | 110-114 | 78-82 | Very Good |
7.5 | 102-109 | 73-77 | Good |
7 | 94-101 | 64-72 | Good |
6.5 | 79-93 | 58-63 | Competent |
6 | 60-78 | 50-57 | Competent |
5.5 | 46-59 | 42-49 | Modest |
5 | 35-45 | 35-41 | Modest |
4.5 | 32-34 | 30-34 | Limited |
0-4 | 0-31 | 0-30 | Extremely Limited |
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