IELTS

KNOW ALL ABOUT IELTS

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 KNOW ALL ABOUT IELTS

CONTENTS
What is IELTS? 3
Test Pattern of IELTS 4
IELTS syllabus 5
IELTS Registration 7
IELTS scoring process 8
IELTS study materials 9

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 KNOW ALL ABOUT IELTS

WHAT IS IELTS?

T
he International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test conduct-
ed to evaluate a candidate’s proficiency in the English language. People
who wish to pursue education or work opportunities in English-speaking
countries like USA, UK etc may sit for the exam. IELTS test scores are
accepted by over 9,000 organisations worldwide including schools, universities,
Government departments, employers, immigration authorities and professional
bodies. One of the most popular English proficiency tests, more than 2 million
candidates have taken IELTS test across 140 countries in the world. IELTS test
measures a candidate’s English language command on 4 different parameters-
Listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Exam Name: International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Commonly known as: IELTS

Exam Level: International level test

IELTS test Conducting Body: The International English Language Testing System
(IELTS) is jointly managed by British Council, IDP, IELTS Australia and the University
of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL).

GRE Application Fee: The IELTS test registration fee is over £150
Validity: 2 years

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 KNOW ALL ABOUT IELTS

TEST PATTERN OF IELTS

T
he IELTS Test Pattern is designed to reflect real life use of English in differ-
ent scenarios— at study, at work, and at play and results are graded on
the unique IELTS 9-band scale. Both the versions of IELTS pattern - IELTS
Academic and IELTS General Training version of IELTS test - are made up
of four sections, namely, Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. While every
candidate is required to take the same listening and speaking components in both
the versions of the IELTS test pattern, it is the reading and writing components that
differ for the two versions - IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. The total
duration for the IELTS test is 2 hours 45 minutes. Listening, reading and writing
tests are done in one sitting while speaking test may be taken on the same day
or within 7 days before or after the IELTS test.

Test pattern of IELTS:

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 part one-on-one
conversation

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 KNOW ALL ABOUT IELTS

IELTS SYLLABUS

I
ELTS test is designed to reflect real life use of English — at study, at work, and
at play and results are graded on a unique IELTS 9-band scale. Mentioned
below are the different sections in the IELTS syllabus:

Listening section:
The Listening section has four sub-sections. The first one is a conversation
between two people set in an everyday social context. Second is a monologue or
a speech. Third section is a conversation between a maximum of four people set
in an academic setting and the final one is a monologue on an academic subject,
for instance, an academic lecture. Each section is heard only once.

Reading section:
The Reading section assesses the test taker’s skill in reading as she/he answers
the questions (multiple choice, sentence completion, summary writing, matching
information, short-answers etc.) after reading one long text in each of the sections.
The Reading component consists of 40 questions. A variety of question types like
reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understand-
ing logical argument, recognising writers’ opinions, attitudes and purpose are used
in order to test a wide range of reading skills.

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 KNOW ALL ABOUT IELTS

Writing section:
The IELTS writing section varies for the two versions. In each version, the section
consists of two tasks. For IELTS Academic, the writing component includes two
tasks. In task 1, you will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and
asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. In
Task 2,you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argu-
ment or problem. Responses to both tasks must be in a formal style. For IELTS
General Training, too, the writing component includes two tasks. In task 1, you
will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information
or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in
style. In task 2, you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view,
argument or problem. The essay can be slightly more personal in style than the
Academic Writing Task 2 essay.

Speaking section:
The IELTS Speaking test which is in recorded form consists of three parts that
simulate a face-to-face oral interview with an examiner. The Speaking component
assesses your use of spoken English, and takes between 11 and 14 minutes to
complete. Every test is recorded. The Speaking component is delivered in such
a way that it does not allow candidates to rehearse set responses beforehand.

Part 1
The Examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar
topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between
four and five minutes.

Part 2
You will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will
have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner
will then ask one or two questions on the same topic to finish this part of the test.

Part 3
You will be asked further questions connected to the topic in Part 2. These ques-
tions will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issue. The
part of the test lasts between four and five minutes.

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 KNOW ALL ABOUT IELTS

IELTS REGISTRATION

S
tudy abroad aspirants interested in appearing for IELTS have to fill the
IELTS application form online. While filling up IELTS application form, aspir-
ants can choose their IELTS test dates as well as the centre in which they
will be appearing for the IELTS test.

Here are the steps to register for IELTS:

1. Find your nearest IELTS centre and check the test dates to find options that
suit you. You can find the deadline for registration of each test date by entering
your choice of country and city.

2. Check with your university/organisation whether you need to sit an Academic

or General Training test. You will be required to show IELTS Academic scores
for universities/institutions and General for other organisations.

3. Get a print out the IELTS Application Form or ask your test centre for a copy.
Please make sure you have a valid postal address and use the same name
as on your passport.

4. Take a photocopy of your current passport – this must be valid and not
expired. (Some centres will accept a national identity card.)

5. If you want your IELTS test results to be sent automatically to a university or

educational institution, include the correct details in the section on the IELTS
Application Form.

6. Take your IELTS Application Form into your IELTS test centre with your money.
If you send it by mail, please talk to your centre about the method of payment

7. Once you have completed the IELTS Application Form, the test centre will
confirm your IELTS test date, time and venue. Please note the Speaking test
can be taken within 7 days before or after the test date.

On the test day, you must bring the same passport or national identity card that
you entered on the IELTS Application Form.

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 KNOW ALL ABOUT IELTS

IELTS SCORING PROCESS

Candidates are given an IELTS score from 1 to 9 for each part of the test – Lis-
tening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The average produces overall band
score. Here are the IELTS band scores and their interpretations:

Band Score Level Meaning

Band 9 Expert user Fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with
complete understanding
Band 8 Very good user Fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic
inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar
situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
Band 7 Good user Operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies,
inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles
complex language well and understands detailed reasoning

Band 6 Competent user Generally effective command of the language despite some inaccura-
cies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand
fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations

Band 5 Modest user Partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most
situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to
handle basic communication in own field

Band 4 Limited user Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent prob-
lems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex
language.

Band 3 Extremely limited Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situa-
user tions. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

Band 2 Intermittent user No real communication is possible except for the most basic informa-
tion using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to
meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty in understanding spoken
and written English

Band 1 Non-user Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few
isolated words.

Band 0 Did not attempt test No assessable information provided.

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IELTS STUDY MATERIALS

Below are the books and study materials for IELTS preparation:

British council:
One of the conducting bodies of IELTS, British council publishes a huge collec-
tion of preparation materials for prospective test takers of the English proficiency
test. Start with the ‘How to prepare for IELTS’ which is like a beginner’s guide
in the preparation for IELTS. The book has exercises and answer keys for your
help. Besides that you can go for their ‘IELTS Practice Materials Volume 1 and
2’.
Here are the IELTS books and study materials by British council:
• How to Prepare for IELTS
• Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 1
• Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume
• Top Tips for IELTS Academic
• Top Tips for IELTS General Training

Cambridge:
Your IELTS preparation is incomplete without the ‘The Official Cambridge Guide
to IELTS’. Cambridge also publishes a ‘Cambridge IELTS 9’ which includes
practice sets for all the sections.
Here are the IELTS books and study materials by Cambridge:
• The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS
• Objective IELTS
• New Insight into IELTS
• Cambridge IELTS 9
• Complete IELTS

Barron’s:
Barron’s offers some of the best IELTS books and study materials for IELTS
preparation. When it comes to study for an English proficiency test, Barron’s is
the name which appears in the lips of many candidates. What Barron offers is
a pack of IELTS preparation materials including exam know how, practice sets,
answer keys. The Barron’s IELTS superpack has 10 full length practice tests
with a comprehensive discussion on problem areas in the English proficiency
test.

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Ace the IELTS: Ace the IELTS by Simone Braverman, basically, focuses on the
general version of IELTS test and is one of the best IELTS preparation study
material around. It covers every module of the test and includes exam effective
tips and techniques for students. The books in itself does not have any sample
tests but it does include links to practice tests so that aspirants can go to these
links later and tests the techniques that they have learnt in the book.

Target band 7: Another gem on IELTS by Simone Braverman, this one talks
about how you can maximise your score in the English proficiency test. Now
what this IELTS preparation book essentially teaches you is speed and time –
management. It has some interesting tips on getting the best scores through
smart preparation though its biggest drawback is that it does not include any
practice tests and few samples to practice.

IELTS preparation- Online and practice sets: Besides books, there are many
IELTS study materials available online that students can use. In fact, you can
even take mock tests online to check your time-management skills. You can
either download the materials or buy online preparation kits. Besides that, you
can also refer to IELTS preparation sample papers.

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 KNOW ALL ABOUT IELTS

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Study Abroad Exams IELTS Preparation tips

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