IELTS Explainer

What is IELTS?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is designed to assess the language ability of non-native English speakers who wish to study or work in countries where English is the primary language of communication.

It is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English, and was established in 1989.

IELTS is accepted by more than 11,000 organizations worldwide, including universities, employers, professional bodies, and immigration authorities. It is one of the most popular English language proficiency tests globally.

There are two main versions of the test:

• IELTS Academic: For those applying for higher education or professional registration.
• IELTS General Training: For those migrating to an English-speaking country (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK) or for secondary education, training programs, and work experience.

IELTS Listening Module

The Listening module is approximately 30 minutes long, plus an additional 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. It consists of four sections, each with 10 questions, making a total of 40 questions.

You will hear a recording once only. The recordings include conversations and monologues in a variety of accents (British, Australian, New Zealand, American, Canadian, etc.).

Sections:

• Section 1: A conversation between two people in an everyday social context (e.g., a conversation about accommodation).
• Section 2: A monologue in an everyday social context (e.g., a speech about local facilities).
• Section 3: A conversation between up to four people in an educational or training context (e.g., a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment).
• Section 4: A monologue on an academic subject (e.g., a university lecture).

Question Types: Multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, summary completion, sentence completion, short-answer questions.

IELTS Reading Module

The Reading module is 60 minutes long and consists of 40 questions. There are two versions of the Reading test: Academic and General Training, each with different text types but similar question types.

Both versions have three long texts, with tasks like multiple choice, identifying information (True/False/Not Given), matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, and short-answer questions.

Academic Reading:

• Texts are authentic and taken from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. They are written for a non-specialist audience and deal with academic subjects.
• Texts range from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical.

General Training Reading:

• Texts are taken from notices, advertisements, company handbooks, and newspapers. They deal with everyday topics relevant to life in an English-speaking country.
• Section 1: Two or three short factual texts.
• Section 2: Two short factual texts focusing on work-related issues.
• Section 3: One longer, more complex text on a general topic.

IELTS Writing Module

The Writing module is 60 minutes long and consists of two tasks. The tasks differ for the Academic and General Training versions.

Academic Writing:

• Task 1 (20 minutes, min. 150 words): You will be presented with a graph, table, chart, or diagram and asked to describe, summarize, or explain the information in your own words. You may need to describe trends, compare data, or explain a process.
• Task 2 (40 minutes, min. 250 words): You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. You should present your arguments, justify your opinions, and support them with evidence and examples.

General Training Writing:

• Task 1 (20 minutes, min. 150 words): You will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. This could be a formal, semi-formal, or informal letter.
• Task 2 (40 minutes, min. 250 words): You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. Similar to Academic Task 2, but the topics are generally more general and less academic.

Both tasks are assessed on Task Achievement/Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

IELTS Speaking Module

The Speaking module is an interactive face-to-face interview with a certified examiner, lasting between 11 and 14 minutes. It is recorded for monitoring and marking purposes.

The module assesses your ability to communicate effectively in English across various contexts.

Parts of the Speaking Test:

• Part 1: Introduction and Interview (4-5 minutes)
  • The examiner will introduce themselves and ask you to introduce yourself and confirm your identity.
  • You will then be asked general questions on familiar topics such as your home, family, work, studies, hobbies, and interests.
• Part 2: Long Turn (3-4 minutes)
  • You will be given a task card with a topic and some points to include in your talk.
  • You will have 1 minute to prepare and make notes, then you will speak for 1-2 minutes on the topic.
  • The examiner will then ask one or two follow-up questions.
• Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes)
  • The examiner will ask further questions connected to the topic in Part 2.
  • These questions will allow you to discuss more abstract ideas and issues.

Your performance is assessed on four criteria: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.

IELTS Scoring System

IELTS scores are reported on a 9-band scale for each module (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) and an overall band score. Each band corresponds to a level of English proficiency, from non-user (Band 1) to expert user (Band 9).

Band Descriptors:

• Band 9: Expert User - Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.
• Band 8: Very Good User - Has 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 - Has 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 - Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
• Band 5: Modest User - Has 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 problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.
• Band 3: Extremely Limited User - Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
• Band 2: Intermittent User - No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty 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 the Test - No assessable information provided.

The overall band score is calculated by taking the average of the four module scores, rounded to the nearest half or whole band.

Registration & Test Day Tips

Registration:

• Register for IELTS well in advance through the official British Council or IDP websites.
• Ensure you have a valid passport or national ID that you will use on the test day. The name on your ID must exactly match the name you use for registration.
• Choose your test date and location carefully. Consider taking a mock test beforehand to assess your readiness.
• Be aware of the test fees and payment methods.

Before Test Day:

• Familiarize yourself with the test format and question types.
• Practice with official IELTS materials.
• Get enough rest the night before.
• Plan your route to the test center to avoid delays.

On Test Day:

• Arrive early: Aim to be at the test center at least an hour before the scheduled start time.
• Bring your ID: You MUST bring the same valid identification document (passport or national ID) that you used for registration. No other ID will be accepted.
• No personal belongings: Most test centers have strict rules about what you can bring into the exam room. Leave personal items like phones, smartwatches, and large bags at home or in designated lockers.
• Listen carefully: Pay close attention to all instructions given by the invigilators.
• Manage your time: Keep an eye on the clock during each module. For Writing and Reading, allocate your time wisely for each task/section.
• Stay calm: It's natural to feel nervous, but try to relax and focus on the task at hand.