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 required for entry into universities in the UK and other countries.
Who is it for?
IELTS is recognized by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA. It is also recognized by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies.
More than 1.4 million people a year take the test.
What is the IELTS test like?
You can choose between the Academic or General Training versions of the test. All candidates do the same Listening and Speaking sections.
The test has four sections
Listening
4 sections, 40 questions, 30 minutes
Speaking
Inerview, 15 minutes
Reading
Different from academic and general training- 3 sections, 40 questions, 60 minutes
Writing
Different for Academic or General Training – pieces of writing, 60 minutes
This site also contains vocabulary tests, including practice tests for the academic wordlist, as well as grammar tests that are relevant to IELTS.
ACADEMIC- IELTS
Academic is split into four sections
Listening
The test consists of half an hour and ten minutes have been given additionally for moving answers to the answer sheet. The candidates have been tested on monologues and conversations.
Reading
The test consists of sixty minutes wherein students are tested on reading passages with tasks, text, and factual to discursive and diagrams, graphs, text from books, journals, and papers.
Writing
The test consists of sixty minutes, which includes writing tasks of 150 words, describing tables, graphs, charts, diagrams along with a short essay of 250 words.
Speaking
The speaking test is of 11 to 14 minutes. In this test, candidates are put through face to face interview questions, talking on a familiar topic along with a discussion.
IELTS General
Listening
Listening module has 30 minutes, 4 sections and 40 questions.
Reading
Reading module 60 minutes, 3 passages and 40 questions with its difficult level varying. The General Reading passages are not as serious in nature and content as Academic. However, the questions could be trickier.
Writing
Writing module has 2 tasks – Task one 20 minutes and Task two 40 minutes. The questions for Writing Task 2 are formed from general contexts that are less serious in tone than those for Academic Writing Task 2. For Writing Task 1, you are required to write a letter.
Speaking
The speaking module lasts between 10-15 minutes with 3 tasks. A candidate’s proficiency in the English language is tested against fluency, accuracy, and vocabulary.
