IELTS or International English Language Testing System
International English Language Testing System
What is IELTS?
International English Language Testing System or IELTS is a globally accepted test to check English communication skills of students pursuing higher studies abroad or seeking job opportunities abroad.
IELTS is jointly managed by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) and is delivered through more than 500 locations in over 135 countries. IELTS is recognized by more than 6000 institutions, government departments, professional associations and other organizations.
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test provides an evaluation of English for those who wish to study or train in English. IELTS, as it is popularly called tests the complete range of English language proficiency skills required by the students and those seeking immigration to English speaking countries.
Commencement of IELTS
IELTS is available on 48 fixed dates in a year – up to four times a month, depending on local demand. Check all the test dates for the year or go to your nearest centre to see its next test date.
Eligibility Criteria
There are no specific eligibility criteria/ qualification required for taking IELTS. However, IELTS is not recommended for candidates under 16 years of age. IELTS itself is an eligibility criterion for those who are migrating to English – speaking countries .
Application Procedure for IELTS
You can fill up the form online (www.ielts.org) and submit your application in the nearest IELTS center along with 2 passport sized photographs less than 6 months old and with your passport number and signature at the back. Make sure you aren’t wearing glasses in these photographs. You also need to take the photocopy of the first three pages of your valid passport. Some centers also accept National ID.
You can also register via Phone, Fax, Courier or Online, the details of which, depending on the centre.
Rescheduling or Cancelling registration
If you reschedule or cancel your test up to 5 weeks before the test date, you are entitled to a refund minus an administration charge. If postponed or cancelled within 5 weeks of the test date, unless for a medical reason, you will be charged the full fee. If a medical certificate is submitted within 5 weeks of the test date, the candidate is entitled to a refund minus an administrative fee.
Fee Structure
The registration Fees for IELTS is 176$, which is approximately Rs.7600 to 8000/-
Types of IELTS:
IELTS is offered in two test formats – Academic and General Training.
The Academic format should be your choice if you are planning to undertake undergraduate or postgraduate study, or are seeking professional registration.
General Training is the best option for those undertaking work experience or training programmes not at degree level. It is also valid for immigration to Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Scoring Pattern
The IELTS exam continues for around 2 hours and 45 minutes and comprises of Listening, Reading and Writing modules.
IELTS is divided into four sections
Reading – (60 minutes)The writing section has to be completed within 60 minutes in which the candidate has to read three texts of 500-900 words each and answer 40 questions about them in the order of increasing difficulty.
Speaking – (10-15 minutes) This section is a face to face oral interview between the examiner and the candidate where the candidate has to speak at length on the topic that the examiner selects, give his/her opinions on it and justify the opinion . This section has duration of 10-15 minutes.
Listening – (40 minutes)The listening section of the test consists of 4 sections in the order of increasing difficulty. The material is recorded on tape and is played for the candidate who has to write the answers on a question booklet. Once the recording has stopped playing, 10 minutes will be allotted to copy the answers to the answer booklet. The first section which is a monologue and second section which is a dialogue are based on general interest topics. The third and the fourth section consist of a lecture and discussion between two and four people respectively and will have a focus on training or education. The duration of this section is of 30-40 minutes.
Writing – (60 minutes)The writing section has a Graphic Test for 20 minutes wherein the candidate has to describe graphic information in a minimum of 150 words and another task of 40 minutes where the candidate has to write on an essay based topic. The second task contributes more to the final band score.
Once you have taken the IELTS exam, your score will be valid for 2 years.
Countries which accept IELTS score
IELTS has more than 800 test centers and locations in over 130 countries. Top countries are Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada, USA, etc.
Results are reported as Band scores, on a scale from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest). Candidates receive an overall band score as well as individual scores for each test component (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).
How to Prepare ?
IELTS has official practice materials to help you understand the format of the test and the types of questions. There are two volumes of the Official IELTS Practice Materials:
Vol. 1 Official IELTS Practice Materials (with CD)
Vol. 2 Official IELTS Practice Materials (with DVD)
Divide your time to four equal (or almost equal) parts and practice in IELTS Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking without making exceptions. You can mix 2 subjects in one day, for example, practice in Reading for one hour and then in Writing for one hour.
Try some free sample questions papers online, they will give you an idea of what to expect in the reading, writing and speaking modules.
Some IELTS centres have workshops to help you prepare for the test. Get in touch with your local IELTS test centre for details. Preparation courses are also offered by language schools in your country.
Top universities accepting IELTS score in U.S.A
Recently US Universities started accepting IELTS Score. If you have taken IELTS already, you are not required to take TOEFL; you can still apply with IELTS score. But, IELTS or TOEFL is mandatory.
Boise State University
Brandeis University
Ball State University
Hawaii Pacific University
Auburn University, Auburn
California State University, Fresno
Columbia University
California Institute of Technology
Central Michigan University
Case Western Reserve University
Top universities accepting IELTS score in U.K
All universities and colleges in UK acknowledge IELTS.
Top universities accepting IELTS score in Canada
Canadian institutions prefer applicants with a very good academic background and decent scores in IELTS and TOEFL.
Top universities accepting IELTS score in New Zealand
Auckland University of Technology
Christchurch Polytechnic Institution of Technology
Lincoln University
Massey University
New Zealand School of Travel & Tourism
Pacific International Hotel Management School
Queenstown Resort College
Southern Institute of Technology
University of Auckland
Victoria University of Wellington
Wellington Institute of Technology
Kindly share your IELTS exam tips & experience in comment section. This might help others.
International English Language Testing System
What is IELTS?
International English Language Testing System or IELTS is a globally accepted test to check English communication skills of students pursuing higher studies abroad or seeking job opportunities abroad.
IELTS is jointly managed by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) and is delivered through more than 500 locations in over 135 countries. IELTS is recognized by more than 6000 institutions, government departments, professional associations and other organizations.
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test provides an evaluation of English for those who wish to study or train in English. IELTS, as it is popularly called tests the complete range of English language proficiency skills required by the students and those seeking immigration to English speaking countries.
Commencement of IELTS
IELTS is available on 48 fixed dates in a year – up to four times a month, depending on local demand. Check all the test dates for the year or go to your nearest centre to see its next test date.
Eligibility Criteria
There are no specific eligibility criteria/ qualification required for taking IELTS. However, IELTS is not recommended for candidates under 16 years of age. IELTS itself is an eligibility criterion for those who are migrating to English – speaking countries .
Application Procedure for IELTS
You can fill up the form online (www.ielts.org) and submit your application in the nearest IELTS center along with 2 passport sized photographs less than 6 months old and with your passport number and signature at the back. Make sure you aren’t wearing glasses in these photographs. You also need to take the photocopy of the first three pages of your valid passport. Some centers also accept National ID.
You can also register via Phone, Fax, Courier or Online, the details of which, depending on the centre.
Rescheduling or Cancelling registration
If you reschedule or cancel your test up to 5 weeks before the test date, you are entitled to a refund minus an administration charge. If postponed or cancelled within 5 weeks of the test date, unless for a medical reason, you will be charged the full fee. If a medical certificate is submitted within 5 weeks of the test date, the candidate is entitled to a refund minus an administrative fee.
Fee Structure
The registration Fees for IELTS is 176$, which is approximately Rs.7600 to 8000/-
Types of IELTS:
IELTS is offered in two test formats – Academic and General Training.
The Academic format should be your choice if you are planning to undertake undergraduate or postgraduate study, or are seeking professional registration.
General Training is the best option for those undertaking work experience or training programmes not at degree level. It is also valid for immigration to Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Scoring Pattern
The IELTS exam continues for around 2 hours and 45 minutes and comprises of Listening, Reading and Writing modules.
IELTS is divided into four sections
Reading – (60 minutes)The writing section has to be completed within 60 minutes in which the candidate has to read three texts of 500-900 words each and answer 40 questions about them in the order of increasing difficulty.
Speaking – (10-15 minutes) This section is a face to face oral interview between the examiner and the candidate where the candidate has to speak at length on the topic that the examiner selects, give his/her opinions on it and justify the opinion . This section has duration of 10-15 minutes.
Listening – (40 minutes)The listening section of the test consists of 4 sections in the order of increasing difficulty. The material is recorded on tape and is played for the candidate who has to write the answers on a question booklet. Once the recording has stopped playing, 10 minutes will be allotted to copy the answers to the answer booklet. The first section which is a monologue and second section which is a dialogue are based on general interest topics. The third and the fourth section consist of a lecture and discussion between two and four people respectively and will have a focus on training or education. The duration of this section is of 30-40 minutes.
Writing – (60 minutes)The writing section has a Graphic Test for 20 minutes wherein the candidate has to describe graphic information in a minimum of 150 words and another task of 40 minutes where the candidate has to write on an essay based topic. The second task contributes more to the final band score.
Once you have taken the IELTS exam, your score will be valid for 2 years.
Countries which accept IELTS score
IELTS has more than 800 test centers and locations in over 130 countries. Top countries are Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada, USA, etc.
Results are reported as Band scores, on a scale from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest). Candidates receive an overall band score as well as individual scores for each test component (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).
How to Prepare ?
IELTS has official practice materials to help you understand the format of the test and the types of questions. There are two volumes of the Official IELTS Practice Materials:
Vol. 1 Official IELTS Practice Materials (with CD)
Vol. 2 Official IELTS Practice Materials (with DVD)
Divide your time to four equal (or almost equal) parts and practice in IELTS Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking without making exceptions. You can mix 2 subjects in one day, for example, practice in Reading for one hour and then in Writing for one hour.
Try some free sample questions papers online, they will give you an idea of what to expect in the reading, writing and speaking modules.
Some IELTS centres have workshops to help you prepare for the test. Get in touch with your local IELTS test centre for details. Preparation courses are also offered by language schools in your country.
Top universities accepting IELTS score in U.S.A
Recently US Universities started accepting IELTS Score. If you have taken IELTS already, you are not required to take TOEFL; you can still apply with IELTS score. But, IELTS or TOEFL is mandatory.
Boise State University
Brandeis University
Ball State University
Hawaii Pacific University
Auburn University, Auburn
California State University, Fresno
Columbia University
California Institute of Technology
Central Michigan University
Case Western Reserve University
Top universities accepting IELTS score in U.K
All universities and colleges in UK acknowledge IELTS.
Top universities accepting IELTS score in Canada
Canadian institutions prefer applicants with a very good academic background and decent scores in IELTS and TOEFL.
Top universities accepting IELTS score in New Zealand
Auckland University of Technology
Christchurch Polytechnic Institution of Technology
Lincoln University
Massey University
New Zealand School of Travel & Tourism
Pacific International Hotel Management School
Queenstown Resort College
Southern Institute of Technology
University of Auckland
Victoria University of Wellington
Wellington Institute of Technology
Kindly share your IELTS exam tips & experience in comment section. This might help others.
