What is IELTS?
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System, which tests English proficiency across the globe. Conducting 2 million tests in the past year, IELTS is the world’s most popular high-stakes English-language test for study, work, and migration.
IELTS is not a test that you can pass or fail. Your assessment will be reported according to a scale from bands one to nine. Band one indicates that you have virtually no English at all.
Band nine is native speaker proficiency. Universities in Australia typically require a band score of between 6 and 7.
For which band you need to obtain, you will have to contact the university you wish to enter to find out the IELTS score they require for entry into your chosen course.
The IELTS does not test any specific knowledge. Rather, the test questions have been designed to reflect the general interests of people from an educated background.
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 total time needed to complete the test is 2 hours and 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.
Who Should take IELTS?
There are two versions to choose from – Academic and General Training
What is the test format and how long will it take?
IELTS has four parts – Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes) and Speaking (11–14 minutes). The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The Listening, Reading and Writing tests are done in one sitting. The Speaking test may be on the same day or up to seven days before or after the other tests.
The level of the test
IELTS is designed to assess English language skills at all levels. There is no such thing as a pass or fail in IELTS. Results are reported as band scores on a scale from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest).
Test Report Form validity
Recognizing organizations will not usually accept a Test Report Form that is more than two years old unless you provide evidence that you have actively maintained or tried to improve your English since taking the test. The IELTS Test Partners cannot confirm the validity of test results that are more than two years old.
