IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication. IELTS is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia. IELTS conforms to the highest international standards of language assessment. It covers four language skills listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK and USA, recognize IELTS. Professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies also recognize IELTS and itis not recommended for candidates under the age of 16.
Test Administration
IELTS tests are administered at centers throughout the world there are more than 300 centres, in over 100 countries. For full list of centres visit the website: www.ielts.org
Most centres conduct a testing session at least once in a month and more often at peak times. Please contact the relevant centre for exact test dates. Results will be produced 13 days after the test. At some centres candidates may collect their results on the 13th day, at others results are mailed on the 13th day.
The candidate will receive only one copy of their test result and replacement copies will not be provided. Additional copies can be sent direct to receiving organizations and institutions by test centres. There are no restrictions on candidates re-taking the test.
Academic and General Training
IELTS is available in two formats - Academic and General Training.
The Academic Modules assess whether a candidate is ready to study or train in the medium of English at undergraduate or postgraduate level. Admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses should be based on the results of these modules.
The General Training Modules emphasize basic survival skills in a broad social and educational context. General Training is suitable for candidates who are going to English speaking countries to complete their secondary education, to undertake work experience or training programmes not at degree level, or for immigration purposes to Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The General Training modules are not offered at all test administrations.
Test Format
Candidates are tested in listening, reading, writing and speaking. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules. There is a choice of Reading and Writing Modules whether Academic or General Training. It is the responsibility of the candidate to tell the Administrator which version, Academic or General Training, they need to take. The tests are designed to cover the full range of ability from non-user to expert user.
The first three modules - Listening, Reading and Writing - must be completed in one day. No break is given between the three modules. The Speaking Module may be taken, at the discretion of the test centre, seven days before or after the other three modules.
Preparing for the test
It is not necessary to attend a preparation course but to prepare thoroughly for the test. Official preparation materials called Specimen Materials are available from test centres, or directly from Cambridge ESOL or IDP: IELTS Australia. This includes a full practice test with an answer key, a CD of the listening test and three sample speaking tests so that candidates can get some idea of their level and familiarize themselves with the format of the test. There is also a wide range of published preparation materials.
IELTS Test Results
Results will be announced 13 days after the test. At some centres candidates may collect their results on the 13th day, at others results are mailed on the 13th day. Test centers are not permitted to give results over the phone or by fax or email. Replacement test report forms are not provided in case of loss.
A score is reported for each module of the test. The individual module scores are then calculated to produce an Overall Band Score. Overall Band Scores and Listening and Reading scores are reported in whole and half Bands; Writing and Speaking Band Scores are reported in whole Bands only.
The IELTS modules have been designed to reflect accurately the candidate’s abilities to deal with the English language. The design of the test makes it statistically unlikely that there will be great variation in the module scores. In order to ensure that a candidate’s IELTS results genuinely reflect that candidate’s English language abilities, where there are exceptionally unusual patterns of module scores, the modules will be marked again, and the IELTS partners may ask the candidate to re-take some or, all of the modules. The candidate will not be charged for any such re-takes and the candidate will not be issued with his/her result until after the re-take.
Test Report Form
The Test report form includes a large number of security features, and the authenticity of any Test report form can be verified through the online verification service. Cambridge ESOL, British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia reserves the right to cancel any IELTS test report form in the event of any attempt to tamper with or mist the information it contains.
Test Modules
Each candidate takes four IELTS test modules, one in each of the four skills, listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Listening
The Listening module takes around 30 minutes. There are 40 questions. There are four sections. The Listening Module is recorded on CD and is played once only
During the test, time is given for candidates to read the questions and write down and then check their answers. Answers are written on the Question Paper as candidates listen. When the recording ends ten minutes are allowed for candidates to transfer their answers to an answer Sheet. The first two sections are concerned, with social needs. There is conversation between two speakers and then a monologue. The final two sections are concerned with situations related more closely to educational or training contexts.
Reading
The Reading Module takes 60 minutes. There are 40 questions, based on three reading passages with a total of 2,000 to 2,750 words. Both the Academic Reading and General Training Reading Modules have the same format. All answers must be entered in the Answer Sheet during the 60 minute tests. No extra time is allowed for transferring answers.
Academic Reading
Texts are taken from magazines, journals, books, and newspapers. Texts have been written for a non-specialist audience. At least one text contains a detailed logical argument. Texts may contain non-verbal materials such as diagrams, graphs or illustrations. If texts contain technical terms then a simple glossary is provided.
General Training Reading
The first section, ‘social survival’, contains texts relevant to basic linguistic survival in English with tasks mainly about retrieving and providing general factual information. ‘Training survival’, the second section, focuses on the training context, for example on the training programme itself or on welfare needs. This section involves a text or texts of more complex language with some precise or elaborated expression.
The third section, ‘general reading’, involves reading more extended prose with a more complex structure but with the emphasis on descriptive and instructive rather than argumentative texts, in a general context relevant to the wide range of candidates involved.
Writing
The Writing Module takes 60 minutes. There are two tasks to complete. It is suggested that about 20 minutes is spent on Task 1, which requires candidates to write at least 150 words. Task 2 requires at least 250 words and should take about 40 minutes. Answers must be given on the Answer Sheet and must be written in full. Notes or bullet points in whole or in part are not acceptable as answers.
Academic Writing
In Task 1 candidates are asked to describe some information (graph/table/ chart/diagram), and to present the description in their own words. They may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describes an object or event.
In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view or argument or problem. Candidates need to demonstrate their ability to respond appropriately in terms of content, vocabulary and the organisation of ideas. Appropriate responses are descriptions/summaries (Task 1) and short essays (Task 2) and these should be formal in style.
General Training Writing
In Task 1 candidates are asked to respond to a given problem with a letter requesting information or explaining a situation.
In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view or argument or problem. Candidates need to demonstrate their ability to respond appropriately in terms of content, vocabulary and the organisation of ideas. Appropriate responses are personal, semi-formal or formal correspondence (Task 1) and short essays (Task 2). In General Training Writing Task 2 slightly more personal response is acceptable than in Academic Writing Task 2.
Speaking
The Speaking Module takes between 11 and 14 minutes and consists of an oral interview between the candidate and an examiner. All interviews are recorded.
In Part 1 candidate answer general questions about themselves, their homes/families, their jobs/studies, their interests, and a range of familiar topic areas. This part lasts between four to five minutes.
In Part 2 the candidate is given a verbal prompt on a card and is asked to talk on a particular topic.
