Introduction
IELTS exam, i.e., the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) has been the standard English test for around 30 years now and is widely accepted in 11,500 organisations across 140 nations in the world. As an alternative, many students also consider the full form of PTE (Pearson Test of English) which offers different testing formats and results timelines. The test is primarily utilised to examine the English language proficiency of the candidate. This article will aim to take you through all the major aspects of the academic IELTS exam in order to make your exam journey smoother. If you’re considering alternative English proficiency tests, understanding the required PTE score for UK admissions can help you choose the right exam for your needs.
Full Form of IELTS:
Purpose of the IELTS Exam
What are the Types of IELTS Tests?
There are two types of IELTS exams, mentioned below:
- IELTS Academic
- IELTS General Training
- IELTS Academic: Recognised by a majority of colleges, universities and institutions of higher education across the world, IELTS Academic is primarily conducted for students who aspire to pursue their further education in a foreign country. It basically tests a candidate’s skills in an academic environment evaluating their ability to successfully pursue an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. Since the universities here employ English as the general mode of instruction, it is vital to ensure that the students understand the language to grasp the course material. Rest assured, universities in countries such as the UK or Ireland usually accept students with 6 bands and higher. The specific IELTS band requirements can be checked on the targeted course’s university page.
- IELTS General Training: This test is generally conducted for people who wish to pursue vocational training programmes or education below the degree level. This exam is also valid for people seeking employment in English-speaking nations, i.e., people who are looking to migrate to countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. This test evaluates one’s English-speaking skills in everyday and practical contexts.
Eligibility Criteria for the IELTS Test:
IELTS Test Pattern:
The 2 hour 45 minutes long test consists of four modules, i.e., Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking measuring a student’s expertise in each component individually on the scale of 0-9. An average of these four scores determines one’s overall band where 9 is the highest and 1 is the lowest. The exam is conducted in both computer-based and paper-based modes. The paper-based exam can be easily attempted throughout the year as there are 48 fixed test dates annually meaning, 4 monthly test dates with Academic IELTS available on all 48 dates. The tests are usually scheduled on Thursdays and Saturdays in order to maintain overall uniformity and provide convenience to the aspirants. On the other hand, computer-based tests are offered 3 times a day throughout the year except the public holidays. It is to be noted that while the other three sections are tested on the same day, the speaking test may be conducted 7 days prior to or after the selected exam date. One can easily book a slot by registering themselves on the official IELTS India website or by visiting your nearest IDP branch. One is free to select their exam date and test city as per the availability and pay via a valid card/ a Demand Draft/ depositing cash. Students are advised to register a week prior at least while they can book a slot three months in advance. The four sections aim to evaluate various aspects of one’s understanding, for example,- the reading test measures one’s critical thinking and comprehension,
- the writing test measures the ability to express your thoughts and write coherently,
- the speaking measures vocabulary and fluency, and
- the listening measures the skill to grasp ideas.
- Reading: The duration of the reading segment of the exam is 60 minutes where the candidate is tasked to read & analyse. This segment typically contains 3 passages and 40 questions.
- Writing: This segment of the IELTS exam is also 60 minutes, i.e., an hour long. As the name suggests, this segment requires the candidate to write an essay or summarise the given content. It contains 2 tasks with one question each.
- Speaking: The third section, i.e., the speaking segment of the exam is 30 minutes long (+10 mins transfer time). The candidates are needed to understand and absorb the information in this test. They are essentially played 4 audios. Based on the content in the audio, the candidates are required to answer 10 questions on each audio.
- Listening: The last part of the test is the listening segment. This section is usually only 15 minutes long. It is essentially a 1-on-1 interview where the interviewer may ask n number of questions based on the candidate’s profile and background.
Why Should You Choose IELTS?
How Does IELTS Help with Visa Requirements?
How does IELTS Compare to Other Popular Tests?
IELTS remains a global benchmark, distinguishing itself from tests like TOEFL and PTE through its versatility and approach. Unlike TOEFL, which primarily focuses on North American English, IELTS is internationally recognised and incorporates a range of global accents. It offers both Academic and General Training modules, specifically catering to either higher education or immigration requirements, providing a direct fit for the candidate’s goals. Furthermore, IELTS allows test-takers the choice between taking the test on paper or computer, offering greater flexibility. Its comprehensive scoring across the four core skills is widely accepted, reinforcing its status as the gold standard for proving English proficiency worldwide.
Who Develops and Runs IELTS?
The International English Language Testing System is managed by a respected partnership of global educational organisations. The test is jointly developed and run by the British Council, the United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunity, and Cambridge Assessment English, a department of the University of Cambridge specialising in language proficiency evaluation. This collaboration ensures that IELTS remains a rigorously researched, accurate and trustworthy test. These founding members work continually to uphold the test’s reputation for fairness and reliability, guaranteeing its acceptance by institutions and immigration bodies worldwide.
Why Choose the British Council for Your IELTS Test?
Taking the Next Step in Your IELTS Journey
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions about IELTS Full Form:
The test is not very difficult. However, one needs to appropriately prepare for the exam. An effective preparation usually consists of an in-depth assessment of one’s strengths and weaknesses and then tackling the obstacles one at a time. One must understand that the key to learning any language is thinking in that language while the key to taking any exam is practice. In order to attain your desired score, one can develop a sense of familiarity by undertaking mock tests, exercising the types of tasks involved, testing oneself by stimulating the environment of the exam, timing oneself, and comparing your responses with modal ones.
The test costs around 18,000/- INR for both modes. While the prices may vary depending on the country of the exam, the overall cost of the exam remains constant across the globe. One is liable to pay a sum of around 4500 INR in case they wish to reschedule their exam. IELTS one-skill retake is also available in India now.
The test does not have a specified pass score. Usually, 6 bands and higher is considered to be a good score in IELTS. Rest assured, universities in countries such as the UK or Ireland usually accept students with 6 bands and higher. The specific IELTS band requirements can be checked on the targeted course’s university page.
The IELTS exam is conducted to evaluate one’s English language proficiency. It is one of the eligibility criteria to either pursue higher education or seek employment opportunities in English-speaking nations. The exam in itself does not get any jobs.
The exam is usually valid for two years.
The test is widely accepted in 11,500 organisations across 140 nations in the world including the likes of the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, New Zealand, France, etc.