IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
is designed to measure the overall proficiency in English. It is
a prerequisite for those who wish to study or work where English
is the language of communication. It conforms to the highest international
standards of language assessment. The test is simultaneously conducted
by British Council, IDP Australia and Cambridge ESOL. Register for IELTS Test
International Recognition:
IELTS is recognized for course admission by universities
in many countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the
USA, the UK and increasingly in Germany and wider Europe. IELTS
is also required as proof of your language abilities for immigration
to Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
What the test is all about:
Candidates are tested in Listening, Reading, Writing
And Speaking. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking
Modules.
There is a choice between Academic and General Training in the Reading
and Writing Modules. The first three modules ? Listening, Reading
and Writing ? must be completed in one day. There is no break between
the modules. The Speaking Module may be taken, at the discretion
of the test centre, in the period seven days before or after the
other modules.
Can I Choose Test Modules:
Yes, You can choose between the Academic and General
Training Modules.
Choose the Academic Module if you want to go to university
in an English speaking country or if you want to register with the
General Medical Council or Dental Medical Council in the UK.
If you wish to emigrate to Australia, New Zealand or Canada opt
for the General Training Module.
To make sure that you choose the module you need, please check with
the institution you are doing the test for. It is your solely your
discretion to choose the right Module.
So what are the modules:
Module
Duration
Test section
Score
Listening
30 minutes
4 sections
Band 0-9
Reading General*/Academic
60 minutes
3 passages
Band 0-9
Writing General*/Academic
60 minutes
2 tasks
Band 0-9
Speaking
10-14 minutes
3 rounds
Band 0-9
Where can I take the test?
IELTS tests are administered at centres throughout
the world. There are currently nearly 400 centres, in over 100 countries.
Centres supervise the local administration of the test and ensure
the provision of qualified and trained examiners. A full list of
centres is available on the IELTS website. Test centres run regular
test administrations, according to local need and results are available
within two weeks. Candidates receive only one copy of their results
but additional copies may be sent by the test centre directly to
receiving organizations at the request of the candidate.
How am I evaluated :
The tests are designed to cover the full range of
ability from non- user to expert user on a scale from 0 (non-user)
to 9 (expert user).
IELTS Test Bands : Overview
9.
Expert
user Has fully operational command of the
language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete
understanding.
8.
Very good user
Has fully operational command of the language
with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies.
Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles
complex detailed argumentation well.
7.
Good user
Has operational command of the language,
though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and
misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles
complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
6.
Competent user
Has generally effective command of the language
despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings.
Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly
in familiar situations.
5.
Modest user
Has partial command of the language, coping
with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely
to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication
in own field.
4.
Limited user
Basic competence is limited to familiar
situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression.
Is not able to use complex language.
3.
Extremely limited user
Conveys and understands only general meaning
in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication
occur.
2.
Intermittent user
No real communication is possible except
for the most basic information using isolated words or short
formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs.
Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
1.
Non user
Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
