| International English
Language Testing System (IELTS) |
The following text is taken from the IELTS publication 'English for International
Opportunity'. Further information can also be found on the IELTS website www.ielts.org.
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 used
as the language of communication.
- IELTS covers all
four language skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking - at
nine levels from Non User to Expert User.
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- IELTS is accepted
by educational institutions in Australia, New Zealand and the United
Kingdom, and increasingly in Canada, the USA and other countries, as
evidence of the language skills necessary for entry to university or
college courses. Many other organisations around the world use IELTS
scores for a range of purposes - for example immigration, recruitment
and entry to training courses.
- IELTS can currently
be taken at 251 test centres in over 106 countries. It is administered
jointly by three leading organisations involved in international language
training and assessment: The British Council, IDP Education Australia
and the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate.
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Key Features
IELTS assesses candidates' ability to use English effectively in the
four key language skill areas as well as their knowledge of grammar and
vocabulary in the context of language use. There are four modules - all
candidates take the same Listening and Speaking modules, but they can
choose to take either the General Training or Academic modules for Reading
and Writing.
The Academic module assesses candidates' ability to use the kind of language
needed to follow a course of study - for example, following complex arguements,
discussing abstract ideas and concepts and dealing with information effectively.
The General Training module assesses a broader range of language skills.
They are more suited to candidates wanting to take work-related training
courses, complete their secondary education or work in an English speaking
country.
All the material used in both the Academic and General Training tests
is of general interest, and candidates are not expected to have a specialist
knowledge of any particular area.
All candidates who take the test are given a report on their English
language ability which places them on a 9 band scale according to ability.
The report contains five scores, one for each of the modules and an overall
score. The report also gives a brief description of the candidate's level,
which is normally valid for two years.
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What
are the tests like?
Most universities and colleges require an IELTS score of 6.0 or better,
but candidates should be aware that the required score for entry to any
course may vary for particular courses, and different institutions. Candidates
should check the requirements with the institution before applying. The
tests are marked at the test centre by trained and monitored examiners,
and the results are available within two weeks of the test.
The modules are always taken in the same order: Listening, Reading, Writing
and Speaking. They are usually taken on the same day - but in some cases
the Speaking test may be taken up to two days after the other modules.
The complete test takes a total of 2 hours and 45 minutes.
In the Listening and Reading tests, the texts used and the tasks set
get progressively more difficult. Typical tasks may include multiple choice,
short answer questions, sentence completion, completing diagrams and identifying
attitudes.
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Registering for IELTS
Candidates must apply to take the test through the Instituto Britanico.
The IELTS Handbook and website contain the information needed to fill
out the Application Form as well as detailed information about the test.
A Specimen Materials pack, which can be used to help candidates
prepare for the test, is available for purchase through IELTS.
The pack includes practice papers for all modules, a cassette
for the Listening test, answers and sample answers for the Writing
and Speaking tests. Details of a wider range of preparation material
can be found on the IELTS website.
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