WHY IELTS

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the most popular English language proficiency tests in the world, and it is recognized by over 10,000 organizations in more than 140 countries. Here are some reasons why people choose to take the IELTS:

  1. Study Abroad: If you are planning to study abroad in an English-speaking country, many universities require IELTS scores as part of their admissions process.
  2. Immigration: If you are planning to immigrate to an English-speaking country, you may be required to take the IELTS as part of the visa application process.
  3. Career Advancement: Many employers in English-speaking countries require job applicants to have a certain level of English proficiency, and IELTS scores are often used to assess this.
  4. Personal Development: Learning a new language is a valuable skill that can improve your communication abilities, broaden your cultural understanding, and enhance your personal and professional growth.

Overall, the IELTS is a widely recognized and respected test that can open up a variety of opportunities for individuals looking to improve their English language skills.

THE TWO FORMS OF IELTS

There are two main forms of the IELTS, the Academic and General Training versions. Here are some details about each:

 

  • IELTS Academic: This version of the test is intended for people who want to study at the undergraduate or postgraduate level in an English-speaking country. It assesses a person’s ability to use academic English language and includes topics and tasks that are relevant to academic study, such as writing essays, describing data, and interpreting graphs and charts.
  • IELTS General Training: This version of the test is intended for people who want to work or immigrate to an English-speaking country. It assesses a person’s ability to use English language in everyday situations and includes topics and tasks that are relevant to work and life situations, such as writing letters, filling out forms, and understanding workplace-related texts.

Both versions of the IELTS include four sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The listening and speaking sections are the same for both versions, but the reading and writing sections are different. The Academic version includes texts that are more complex and challenging than those in the General Training version, and the writing tasks require more analytical and critical thinking skills.

Who Administers IELTS

The IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge Assessment English. These three organizations work together to administer the test, develop test materials, and ensure the quality and integrity of the IELTS. The British Council is responsible for test administration in many countries, while IDP Education manages the test in some other countries, and Cambridge Assessment English provides the test content and quality assurance. The IELTS test centers are located in many cities around the world, and candidates can register for the test online or in person at their nearest test center.

IELTS Test Format

The format of the IELTS test consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. Here is a breakdown of each section:

  1. Listening (30 minutes): The listening section consists of four recordings of native English speakers, and candidates have to answer 40 questions. The recordings include conversations, monologues, and academic lectures. The recordings are played only once, and candidates must answer the questions while listening.
  2. Reading (60 minutes): The reading section consists of three passages with increasing levels of difficulty, and candidates have to answer 40 questions. The passages are taken from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers, and they cover a variety of topics, such as science, social sciences, and humanities.
  3. Writing (60 minutes): The writing section consists of two tasks. In task 1, candidates have to describe, summarize, or explain visual information, such as graphs, charts, or diagrams. In task 2, candidates have to write an essay in response to a prompt, expressing their opinion or discussing a problem.
  4. Speaking (11-14 minutes): The speaking section is a face-to-face interview with an examiner, and it is divided into three parts. In part 1, candidates answer questions about themselves and their background. In part 2, candidates receive a topic card with a task to talk about, and they have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. In part 3, candidates discuss more abstract topics related to the task in part 2.

The listening and speaking sections feature a variety of accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand, North American, and others. The reading passages are written in standard English, but they may include vocabulary and expressions from different English-speaking countries. Overall, the IELTS aims to test a candidate’s ability to understand and use English in a variety of real-life situations and contexts, regardless of the accent.