IELTS

What is IELTS?


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 the 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 the four language skills –
listening, reading, writing and speaking.

IELTS is recognised by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. It is also recognised by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies. IELTS is not recommended for candidates under the age of 16.

Test Administration

IELTS tests are administered at centres throughout the world – there are currently nearly 300 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 organisations at the request of the candidate.
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 Reading and Writing Modules assess whether a candidate is ready to study or train in the medium of English at an undergraduate or postgraduate level. Admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses is based on
the results of these Modules.

The General Training Reading and Writing Modules are not designed to test the full range of formal language skills required for academic purposes, but emphasise 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. It is the responsibility of the candidate to inform the test centre whether they wish to take the Academic or General Training Modules. Centres are not responsible for providing
this information. The General Training module is 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 between Academic and General Training in the Reading and Writing Modules.
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. 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.
A computerised version of IELTS Listening, Reading and Writing Modules (CBIELTS) is available at selected centres, but all centres will continue to offer paper-based IELTS and candidates will be given the choice of the medium in which they wish to take
the test.

Listening
Time: approximately 30 minutes
Candidates listen to a number of recorded texts. These include a mixture of monologues and conversations and feature a variety of English accents and dialects.
The recording is heard only once, and candidates are given time to read the questions and write down their answers.

Academic Reading
Time: 60 minutes
There are three reading passages with tasks. Texts are taken from books,
magazines, journals and newspapers, all written for a non-specialist audience.
At least one of the texts contains a detailed argument.

Academic Writing
Time: 60 minutes
Candidates write a description of at least 150 words. This is based on material found in a chart, table, graph or diagram and demonstrates their ability to present information and to summarise the main features of the input.
For the second task, candidates write a short essay of at least 250 words in response to a statement or question. They are expected to demonstrate an ability to present a position, construct an argument and discuss abstract issues.

General Training
Reading
Time: 60 minutes
The texts are based on the type of material candidates would be expected to
encounter on a daily basis in an English speaking country. They are taken from sources
such as newspapers, advertisements, instruction manuals and books, and test
the candidate’s ability to understand and use information. The test includes one longer text, which is descriptive rather than argumentative.

Writing
Time: 60 minutes
The first task requires candidates to write a letter of at least 150 words either asking for information, or explaining a situation. For the second task, candidates write a short
essay of at least 250 words in response to a statement or question. They are
expected to demonstrate an ability to present a position, construct an argument and
discuss issues.

Speaking
Time: 11–14 minutes
The test is a face-to-face interview.
Candidates are assessed on their use of spoken English to answer short questions,
to speak at length on a familiar topic, and also to interact with the examiner.



Preparing for the test
It is not necessary to attend an IELTS preparation course though it is, of course, a good idea to prepare thoroughly for the test. An order form is given at the end of this Handbook for a Official IELTS Practice Materials Pack. This includes a full practice test
with an answer key and a CD of the listening test, so that candidates can get some idea of their level and familiarise themselves with the format of the test. There is also a wide range of published preparation materials.