WHAT IS IELTS?

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It is a standardized test which tests proficiency in English language.

  • It incorporates a variety of accents and writing styles to incorporate linguistic bias.
  • It is a paper-pencil based test and computer based test.
  • There are 2 IELTS test modules. Candidates can choose either one of them, which are as follows:
    1. The Academic Module is recommended for candidates who need to meet English Language requirements of universities or other educational institutions.
    2. The General Training Module is intended for those planning to undertake non- academic training to gain work experience or for immigration purposes.
  • IELTS is scored on a nine band scale, with each band corresponding to a specified competence in English. Overall Band Scores are reported to the nearest whole or half band.
  • IELTS has been accepted as the standard international test system for the English language in the majority of all education establishments operating in English in Australia, Canada, UK and New Zealand. US educational institutions are also now starting to use it. Many international immigration services as well as various professional organizations including the British and Australian Medical Councils and the UK Ministry of Defense, make use of IELTS.
  • It is administered by:
    1. University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations,
    2. IDP Education Australia
  • IELTS measures ability to communicate in English across all four language skills listening, reading, writing and speaking for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication.

EXAM PATTERN

IELTS Test comprises of four modules:

IELTS Test Component Duration Brief Description
Listening 30 minutes 4 sections, 40 items
Reading 60 minutes 3 sections, 40 items
Writing 60 minutes 2 tasks
Speaking 11-14 minutes 3 parts one-on-one conversation

All the candidates will be taking the same Listening and Speaking Modules. There is a choice between Academic and General Training in the Reading and Writing Modules.

  1. Academic Training– For candidates taking the test for entry to undergraduate or postgraduate studies for professional reasons.
  2. General Training– For candidates taking entry to vocational or training programmes not at degree level, for admission to secondary schools and for immigration purposes.

The format of the test is as under:

  • Total Test Duration of IELTS Exam is 2 hours 45 minutes.
  • The first three modules – Listening, Reading and Writing – must be completed in one day.
  • The Speaking Module may be taken, at the discretion of the test center, in the period seven days before or after the other Modules.
  • The tests are designed to cover the full range of ability from non-user to expert user.
    Requirements of IELTS Score fall between 6.0 to 7.5 for most universities.

IELTS LISTENING

Listening consists of 4 sections mainly and there are ten questions in each section.

Sections 1 and 2 are based on social survival in an English speaking country and sections 3 and 4 are based on a more educational and training orientation.

The actual tape lasts for about 30 minutes and then you have 10 minutes at the end of the listening in order to transfer your answers to the answer paper.

SECTION 1: Here you will listen to a conversation between 2 people. The conversation is divided into 2 parts. You have to answer 10 questions based on what you hear. At the start of section 1 you will have an example read out to you and then explained. This is then repeated when the listening starts properly.

SECTION 2: Here you will hear a monologue though it may include a second speaker asking questions in order to stimulate the monologue. The monologue is divided into 2 parts. You have to answer 10 questions based on what you hear.

SECTION 3: Here you will listen to a conversation between 2, 3 or 4 people. The conversation is divided into 2 parts. You have to answer 10 questions based on what you hear.

SECTION 4: Here you will hear a monologue though it may include a second speaker asking questions in order to stimulate the monologue. The monologue is divided into 2 parts. You have to answer 10 questions based on what you hear.

The listening tape is only played once. So, it is recommended that the examinee pays full attention to it. As there is no video shown so even lip sync can’t help. Therefore, it must be known to every candidate that conversation is to be properly listened to.

  • COMMON LISTENING QUESTION TYPES
  1. Short Answer
  2. Multiple Choice
  3. Sentence Completion
  4. Notes/summary/diagram/flow chart/table completion
  5. Labelling a diagram with numbered parts
  6. Classification
  7. Matching lists/ phrases

All these question types are available in the IELTS Practice papers. As we know, practice is the key for all so it is advisable to practice hard.

IELTS READING

Academic Reading is harder as compared to General training Reading in IELTS. There are 3 texts and each contains 13-14 questions. Each text has questions of different formats. The total length of all the texts put together will be between 2000 and 2750 words. The texts will come from magazines, journals and books and are written for general interest or for an academic though non-specialist reader. At least one text will contain a logical argument. One text may contain non-verbal materials such as a diagram, graph or illustration. If there are any words or terms of a specialist technical nature which candidates would not be expected to know, then a short glossary will be provided.

COMMON ACADEMIC READING QUESTION TYPES

  • Multiple choice questions
  • Completion questions: Completing sentences
  • Completing notes
  • Completing a summary (no word bank)
  • Classification questions
  • Matching a bank of writers’ views/claims/information with the writer
  • Matching a bank of headings to identify paragraphs or parts of text
  • Completing a flow chart
  • Completing a table
  • Identification of information in the text: yes/no/not given questions
  • True/false/not given questions
  • Matching lists/phrases
  • Completing a summary (with word bank)
  • Completing a diagram
  • Short answer questions

READING – GENERAL TRAINING:

This test contains 3 sections with a total of 40 questions. The types of questions asked are similar but the difference lies in the format of texts. Possible formats of texts could be: notices, advertisements, newspapers, instruction manuals, leaflets, timetables, books and magazines.

FORMAT FOR GENERAL READING

Section 1 will normally have 2 or maybe 3 “texts” with 13 or maybe 14 questions to answer in 2 or 3 sets of differing formats. Section 1 tests the candidate on “social survival” in an English speaking country. The questions usually involve the candidate finding and providing factual information from a variety of texts. Texts in section 1 are relatively short and there may be a number of “mini texts’ to look through, eg: a series of advertisements on similar subjects.

Section 2 again usually has 2 texts with 13 or maybe 14 questions to answer. Section 2 concentrates on the context of training and welfare in an English speaking country. The texts here will be more complicated using more intricate language and structure.

Section 3 will have 1 text with 13 or maybe 14 questions to answer. Section 3 tests candidates’ ability to deal with longer pieces of writing. The reading passage will again involve more complex language than the 2 previous sections.

The candidate has to read thoroughly and should not skim the text. It is a test of reading and not of general knowledge.

IELTS WRITING

The writing section in IELTS is also different in case of Academic and General Training examinees.

WRITING – ACADEMIC

IELTS Academic Writing lasts a total of 60 minutes. It consists of 2 tasks (Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2) and candidates must answer BOTH tasks. Students are advised to spend 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2. They must complete both tasks in one hour.

Task 1

For Writing Task 1, candidates are given some visual information which may be presented in the form of one or more related diagrams, charts, graphs or tables. Candidates are asked to describe the information or data. They must write at least 150 words on this task.

Task 2

For Writing Task 2, candidates are presented with an opinion, problem or issue which they must discuss. They may be asked to present the solution to a problem, present and justify an opinion, compare and contrast evidence or opinions, or evaluate and challenge an argument or idea. Candidates must write at least 250 words and are advised to spend 40 minutes on this task.

TASK ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

  • Task Achievement
  • Coherence and Cohesion
  • Lexical Resource
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Each of the tasks is assessed separately by trained and qualified examiners and is given a score accordingly. Writing Task 2 is worth more marks than Writing Task 1 so candidates should be sure to leave plenty of time to complete Writing Task 2. Academic Writing band scores are reported in whole bands or half bands.

WRITING – GENERAL TRAINING

Task 1

Candidates are asked to write a personal informal, semi-formal or formal letter, responding to a given problem or situation. Input to Task 1 includes a brief description of the problem or situation followed by 3 bullet points which tell the candidate what information is required in the letter. Candidates must write at least 150 words for this task.

Task 2

The input to Task 2 consists of a statement of a point of view, argument or problem about a specific topic. This is followed by instructions asking candidates to discuss the topic by providing general factual information, outlining and/or presenting a solution, justifying an opinion, or evaluating ideas and evidence. Candidates are expected to produce a discursive piece of writing. Candidates must write at least 250 words for this task.

TASK ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

  • Task Achievement
  • Coherence and Cohesion
  • Lexical Resource
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Each of the tasks is assessed separately by a trained and qualified examiner and given a score. Writing Task 2 is worth more marks than Writing Task 1 so candidates should be sure to leave plenty of time to complete Writing Task 2.

IELTS SPEAKING

  • IELTS Speaking is a one-to-one interaction between the candidate and an examiner.
  • The three parts give the candidate the opportunity to use a range of different speaking skills.
  • IELTS Speaking is recorded.
  • Speaking test varies from 11-14 minutes.

Assessment of candidates takes place through their performance in the test.

NATURE OF INTERACTION

INTRODUCTION AND INTERVIEW-(4-5 MINUTES) : After introduction and identity check, the examiner asks the candidate questions about familiar topics.*

  • LONG TURN – (3-4 MINUTES):The candidate receives a task card with a topic. She/he then has 1 minute to prepare and make notes before speaking about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes.**
  • DISCUSSION – (4-5 MINUTES):The examiner discusses with the candidate more abstract aspects of the topic in Part 2. ***

*The candidate’s ability to communicate opinions and information on everyday topics and common experiences or situations by answering a range of questions is assessed.

**The candidate’s ability to speak at length on a given topic (without further prompts from the examiner), using appropriate language and organizing his/her ideas coherently is assessed. It is likely that the candidate will need to draw on his/her own experience to complete the long turn.

***The candidate’s ability to express and justify opinions, analyze, discuss and speculate about issues is assessed.

IELTS CLASSROOM PROGRAM

  • Interactive classroom sessions to help you clear your basics & prepare for the test.
  • Tests administered in sync with IELTS exams followed by feedback sessions.
  • IELTS course material to hone one’s skills & prepare for the real  IELTS.
  • Special sessions for students in need of additional attention
  • Classes are conducted Monday to Sunday (Weekday and Weekend Batch).

Key Features:-

  • Full Length Mock Tests with stress on weak areas.
  • Unlimited practice material provided at no extra cost.
  • Special session to help students improve IELTS SPEAKING Section.

Advisory on maximizing your learning, retention and performance

  • Revise whatever has been covered in a session the very same day (within six hours of the class).
  • The more you practice, the greater the felicity.

IELTS is a registered Trademark of the IDP.