IELTS OVERVIEW

WHAT IS IELTS?

The International English Language Test (IELTS)

is designed to help you work, study or migrate to
a country where English is the native language.
This includes countries such as Australia,
Canada, New Zealand, the UK and USA.
Your ability to listen, read, write and speak in English
will be assessed during the test. IELTS is graded on a
scale of 1-9.
IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP:
IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English.
IELTS is the most popular test for those looking to
migrate to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK.
It is globally recognised by more than 10,000 employers,
universities, schools and immigration bodies including
3,400 institutions in the USA.
TEST TYPES:

Why IELTS Academic?

IELTS developed the Academic test if you wish to study at
university or college as an undergraduate or postgraduate
student. Or, if you want to join or gain entry into a
professional institution.
Why IELTS General Training?
IELTS has the IELTS General Training test for your every-
day English. As a result, you can do IELTS General Training
for migration to an English speaking country.
IELTS Score Scale
Band score - Skill level
Description
9 Expert user The test taker has fully operational
command of the language. Their use of English is appropriate,
accurate and fluent, and shows complete understanding.
8 Very good user The test taker has fully operational
command of the language with only occasional unsystematic
inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. They may misunderstand
some things in unfamiliar situations. They handle complex and
detailed argumentation well.
7 Good user The test taker has operational command of the
language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate
usage and misunderstandings in some situations. They generally
handle complex language well and understand detailed
reasoning.
 6 Competent user The test taker has an effective command of
the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and
misunderstandings. They can use and understand fairly complex
language, particularly in familiar situations.
5 Modest user The test taker has a partial command of the
language and copes with overall meaning in most situations,
although they are likely to make many mistakes. They should be able
to handle basic communication in their own field.
4 Limited user The test taker's basic competence is limited to
familiar situations. They frequently show problems in understanding
and expression. They are not able to use complex language.
 3 Extremely limited user The test taker conveys and
understands only general meaning in very familiar
situations. There are frequent breakdowns in
communication.
2 Intermittent user The test taker has great difficulty
understanding spoken and written English.
1 Non-user The test taker has no ability to use the
language except a few isolated words.
0 Did not attempt the testThe test taker did not answer
the questions.
There are four parts to the IELTS test:

IELTS SPEAKING - a face to face informal test with an

examiner which last between 11 and 14 minutes and is
made up of 3 parts. ALL IELTS candidates take the same
test.
IELTS LISTENING - a 30 minute audio recording with 40
questions and 10 minute to trasfer the answers in the
answer sheet. ALL IELTS candidates take the same test.
IELTS READING - 3 reading passages with 40 questions
which lasts for 1 hour. This test is divided into Academic
and General Training papers.

IELTS WRITING - this is divided into Task 1 and Task 2.

Task 1 Academic is a short report of a chart,
graph,map,table and etc. Task 1 in GT is a letter. Task 2
in Academic and GT is a formal essay. IELTS writing task
last for 1 hour in total.
WHICH IS BEST FOR IELTS, BRITISH COUNCIL OR IDP?
Where should you take your IELTS test?
Note:
• There is no difference between the IELTS test at the BC and
IDP.
• There is also no difference in between examiners and
marking in the BC and IDP.
Both IDP and the British Council are part owners of IELTS along
with Cambridge English Language Assessment. This means they
are all one company.
IELTS TEST DIFFICULTY LEVEL:

IDP and British Council conducts IELTS test but they do

not write them. All tests used at the IDP and BC are
compiled by Cambridge English Language Assessment
who is one of the joint owners of IELTS.
This means you will get the same test even if you are IDP
or BC.
Listening and Reading are marked clerically. They are
based on wrong or right answers. Each one answer gives
one point and your score is calculated based on the
number of right answers. So, this never differ between
test centers.
Writing and Speaking are marked by an examiner. All
IELTS examiner, for both IDP and BC complete the same
training course, follow the same marking criteria and also
the same band descriptors.
ACCENTS

For accents IDP is Australian and BC is British but they

both use range of accents. In the listening test, you will get
a range of accents (even American sometimes). In the
Speaking test, the examiner could come from any country
and have any accent. You can use any accent you want in
your speaking test: Australian, British, American.
IMPORTANT:

IELTS test content reflects everyday situations. It is

unbiased and fair to all test takers from all backgrounds.
If you prepare in the right way, you will be able to
maximise your results. Having both good English and
clear understanding of the IELTS test is essential. Be
clear minded and strategic in your approach and
training.
TYPES OF DELIVERY TEST:
Which test is best for me – Paper-based or computer-
delivered IELTS?
Well, it depends on personal preference. While some test
takers prefer paper-based exams as this might feel similar
to other exam situations from schools, whereas others
might feel more comfortable with computer-delivered IELTS
test that involves typing answers. While all the four sections
of computer-delivered IELTS are completed on the same
day, only the Listening, Reading and Writing sections of
paper-based IELTS are completed on the same day. Your
test result earlier if you take a computer-delivered IELTS
test.
The order in which these tests are taken may vary. There
are no breaks between these three tests. The Speaking test
on the paper-based test, however, can be completed up to
a week before or after the other tests. Finally, you can
expect to get your test result earlier if you take a computer-
delivered IELTS test.
So, if a person wants a faster test result, he or she should
go for a computer-based IELTS test. Another advantage of
the computer-delivered test is that there are more test
sessions which are available throughout the week.
Computer-delivered test also offers the speaking test on the
same day. Finally, computer-based IELTS test offers last-
minute test registration also. However, special need
candidates still prefer paper-based IELTS tests.
Anyway, apart from these options, all other features of both
types of test formats are the same. So, an IELTS test
candidate may want to weigh the options for formats and
then decide which test is best for him or her.