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| IELTS
- INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING SYSTEM |
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INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING SYSTEM (IELTS)
Overview
Many people dream of advancing their education or careers
in a country like Australia, New Zealand, Canada or the
United Kingdom. For most, the first step to fulfilling
this ambition is the IELTS test.
IELTS tests are held in over 500 centres with tests up
to four times a month. IELTS respects international diversity
and is fair to anyone who sits the test, regardless of
nationality.
There are two formats of the IELTS test: Academic or General
Training, depending on whether you want to study, work
or migrate. Both modules are made up of four parts –
Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. IELTS results
are graded on the unique IELTS 9-band scale.
You can trust the quality and security of IELTS because
it is managed by three reputable, international organisations:
British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University
of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL).
IELTS tests all four language skills – Listening,
Reading, Writing and Speaking. The Speaking test is a
face-to-face interview with a certified Examiner. It is
interactive and as close to a real-life situation as a
test can get.
Research shows that IELTS motivates test-takers to develop
real and well-rounded English rather than learning by
rote. This means your understanding of English is improved
and valid for real life in an English-speaking country.
IELTS is owned by three reputable, international organisations.
It has the highest quality control and security procedures.
More than 6000 organisations, including many government
departments and universities, rely on IELTS. The IELTS
scoring system is recognised globally, giving you a truly
international result.
The IELTS nine (9) band score system grades scores consistently.
It is secure, benchmarked and understood worldwide. Test
materials are designed carefully so that every version
of the test is of a comparable level of difficulty.
IELTS Examiners are fully qualified and follow the IELTS
standardised testing around the world. IELTS has a quality-controlled
system of recruitment, training, benchmarking, certification
and monitoring. IELTS markers are regularly monitored
and tested every two years to retain their certification.
Our test centres are managed by the British Council, IDP:IELTS
Australia or by independent organisations that meet strict
standards of quality, security and customer service.
The free IELTS Test Report Form Verification Service enables
universities and employers to authenticate test report
forms and safeguards against fraudulent report forms.
About IELTS
Website
www.ielts.org
Validity
The score is valid for 2 years.
Fees
INR 7,200
Reporting
The score is sent to 5 universities by The British Council
free of cost at the time of exam. Charges are extra for
scores sent to universities later.
Registration
You have to send the application form to your test centre.
To locate your test centre, visit http://www.ielts.org/testcentresandexaminers/searchforanieltstestcentre/article63.aspx
Forms
Forms can be downloaded from the website. (http://www.ielts.org/library/article112.aspx)
Centres
Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, & Mumbai.
Confirmation
A registration no is given as terms of confirmation.
Rescheduling/Cancellation
Candidates who request a postponement or cancellation
of their test within 5 weeks of the test date will normally
be charged the full fee unless they are able to provide
appropriate medical evidence to support their request
within 5 days of the test date.
Mode
The IELTS test is a computer based test (CBT) in India.
Number of Tests
1-4 tests can be given in a calendar month.
Scores
Total score is on a scale of 10. If the test is taken
more than once, all the scores and the dates are sent
to the universities. Scores can be cancelled before coming
out of the test.
Format of IELTS
| Section |
Questions |
Time(min.) |
Listening |
4 Section, 40 Items |
30 |
Reading |
3 Sections, 40 Items |
60 |
Writing |
2 Items (150 & 250 words) |
60 |
Speaking |
1 Topic |
11-14 |
Total |
|
165 min |
The IELTS Test does not have grammar questions or questions
specifically on vocabulary. Instead, the IELTS Test
has a number of 'tasks' with specific objectives. In
the test, your goal is to achieve the objective. This
means that you answer questions about a dialogue or
a monologue that you listen to. You have to read a number
of texts and answer questions based on the text. You
will have to write essays and you will have to speak
to a native English speaker. As you can see, the IELTS
Test is very much a test of what you can do in English,
rather than what you know.
Administered By
University of Cambridge, the British Council, & the
IELTS Australia
Required For
Admission into a MBA Program.
There are two types of IELTS Test:
General Training
The General Training format focuses on basic survival
skills in a broad social and educational context. It
is for those who are going to English-speaking countries
to do secondary education, work experience or training
programs. People migrating to Australia, Canada and
New Zealand must sit the General Training test.
Academic
The Academic format is for those who want to study or
train in an English-speaking university or Institutions
of Higher and Further Education. Admission to undergraduate
and postgraduate courses is based on the results of
the Academic test.
IELTS is the world’s proven test. Due to its
high quality controls, IELTS is accepted by thousands
of organisations in more than 120 countries.
1. Universities, schools, training colleges, tertiary
institutes
2. Government departments and agencies
3. Professional and industry bodies
4. Multinational companies and employers
The IELTS Test is used as a test of English at colleges
and universities in the following countries:
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- South Africa
- Canada
There is an idea amongst some students that only the TOEFL
test is accepted at colleges and universities in the United
States. This not true. More and more American institutions
are accepting the IELTS Test these days.
QUESTION TYPES IN IELTS
Academic or General Training. All candidates take the
same Listening and Speaking modules but different Reading
and Writing modules.
Listening, Reading and Writing must be completed in
one day. Depending on your test centre, the Speaking
test may be offered on the same day or up to a week
before or after the other parts.
All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking
Modules, while the Reading and Writing Modules differ
depending on whether the candidate is taking the Academic
or General Training Versions of the Test.
IELTS Listening Section
The purpose of the IELTS Listening Module is to:
Establish your ability to function on a daily basis in
a country where English is spoken as a first language;
Establish your ability to function in an academic environment
where English is used as a tuition medium.
Listening in a 'Social Context'
If you are living in a country where English is spoken
as a first language, there are a number of 'Social Context'
situations where you will have to listen to someone speaking
English. For example, you may need to telephone a landlord
about renting an apartment, or you might want to arrange
a night out in a restaurant with your friends from university
or college. The IELTS Test establishes your ability to
deal with such social interactions.
Listening in an 'Academic Context'
If you are studying in a country where English is spoken
as a first language, there are going to be a number of
'Academic' situations where you will have to listen to
spoken English. At university or college you may have
to listen to a lecture or presentation, take part in workshops
and discussions, and perhaps speak to your tutor or classmates
about an assignment you receive. The listening module
of the IELTS Test establishes your ability to be able
to deal with such situations.
The listening test always has the same format:
The test is 30 minutes long, there are always four sections
and 40 questions.
Sections one and two test your ability to deal with
situations where English is spoken in a social context
(for example, buying a plane ticket over the telephone).
You will be expected to listen to dialogues and monologues
and answer questions based on what you hear.
Sections three and four test your ability to listen
to English spoken in an academic context. This might
include listening to a presentation or some form of
dialogue.
The questions get increasingly difficult as the test
progresses. This does not mean the test starts easy
and gets difficult - the test is difficult from the
beginning and the questions and listening excerpts get
increasingly more sophisticated and complex.
All instructions on what to do and how to answer questions
are provided on the recording you listen to during the
test, so listen carefully!
Unlike other tests, in the IELTS listening test you
only hear a recording ONCE. This is intended to replicate
natural situations where you do not often get a second
chance to listen to something. This makes the IELTS
listening module extremely difficult if you are not
properly prepared for it!
As you listen to the recording, you are allowed to take
notes and write your answers on the question paper.
You receive 10 minutes at the end of the test to transfer
answers to an 'Answer Sheet'.
Reading Section
The purpose of the IELTS Reading Module is to test your
ability to understand a written text and find general
and specific information in a text. This includes finding
details about the 'purpose' of a text.
The reading test always has the same format:
The test is 60 minutes long, there are always three
reading passages and 40 questions.
The texts used in the Reading Module are from:
Books
Magazines
Newspapers
Articles
The reading texts can be on a variety of topics. Some
may be about scientific issues, others about history,
or even aspects of society (e.g. drug addiction, etc.).
Whatever the topic, the reading texts are regarded as
being 'General Interest'. This means that even if the
topic of a reading text is scientific, you do not need
specialist scientific knowledge to read it. The text used
should be accessible to anyone, whatever their background
or area of study.
One or more of the passages will be a 'detailed argument'
where one side or both sides of an issue is explored.
Reading text one could include a diagram, an illustration
or a chart or table that contains information you will
need to answer the questions given.
Like the listening test, you write your answers on
an answer sheet. Unlike the listening test, you write
your answers directly onto the question paper. You do
not receive 10 minutes at the end of the test to transfer
your answers.
Academic Reading
At least one text contains detailed logical argument.
Texts may contain non-verbal materials such as diagrams,
graphs or illustrations. If texts contain technical
terms then a simple glossary is provided.
General Reading
The first section, ‘social survival’, contains
texts relevant to basic linguistic survival in English
with tasks mainly about retrieving and providing general
factual information.
Workplace survival’, the second section, focuses
on the workplace context, for example, applying for jobs,
company policies, pay and conditions, workplace facilities,
staff development and training.
The third section, ‘general reading’, involves
reading more extended prose with a more complex structure
but with the emphasis on descriptive and instructive rather
than argumentative texts, in a general context relevant
to the wide range of candidates involved.
IELTS Writing Section
The purpose of the IELTS Writing Module is to:
Establish your ability to answer, perform a task correctly
using facts and figures.
Establish your ability to answer questions where facts
and figures are not given and where your opinions, thoughts,
and views need to be expressed.
The Writing test takes 60 minutes. There are two tasks
to complete. It is suggested that about 20 minutes is
spent on Task 1 which requires candidates to write at
least 150 words. Task 2 requires at least 250 words and
should take about 40 minutes.
Answers must be given on the answer sheet and must be
written in full. Notes or bullet points in whole or in
part are not acceptable as answers. Candidates should
note that scripts under the required minimum word limit
will be penalized.
Academic Writing
In Task 1 candidates are asked to describe some information
given in the form of graph/table/chart/diagram and to
present the description in their own words. They may
be asked to describe and explain data, describe the
stages of a process, how something works or describe
an object or event.
In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view
or argument or problem.
Candidates need to demonstrate their ability to respond
appropriately in terms of content, vocabulary and the
organisation of ideas. Appropriate responses are descriptions/summaries
(Task 1) and short essays (Task 2) and these should be
formal in style.
General Writing
In Task 1 candidates are asked to respond to a given
problem with a letter requesting information or explaining
a situation.
In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view
or argument or problem.
Candidates need to demonstrate their ability to respond
appropriately in terms of content, vocabulary and the
organisation of ideas. Appropriate responses are personal,
semi-formal or formal correspondence (Task 1) and short
essays (Task 2). In General Training Writing Task 2 a
slightly more personal response is more acceptable than
in Academic Writing Task 2.
Assessment: Your writing is marked by
a native English speaker who is trained in assessment
of IELTS writing tasks. Traditionally, scores were full
bands only (i.e. Writing Band 5, 6 etc.), but recently,
half bands were introduced. It is now therefore possible
to get a score of 5.5, 6.5, etc. for your writing score.
E.g. Write about the following topic:
It is inevitable that as technology develops so traditional
cultures must be lost. Technology and tradition are
incompatible - you cannot have both together.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?Give reasons
for your answer and include any relevant examples from
your own knowledge or experience.
IELTS Speaking Section
The purpose of the IELTS Speaking Module is to establish
your ability to speak on a number of topics.
The Speaking Module always has the same format:
The test is 11-14 minutes long and involves you speaking
to a native English speaker who is trained to assess
your spoken English against IELTS criteria. The test
is also recorded. There are three stages to the test:
Phase One
Phase One of the speaking test lasts around 4-5 minutes
and very much follows the format any conversation might
take when two people meet for the first time - you will
be asked to talk about your personal situation (family,
job, university study, etc.) and other familiar topics.
Phase Two
Phase Two of the speaking test requires you to do a
presentation on a general topic. The examiner interviewing
you will give you a card with a topic on it and you
must talk for between one and two minutes. Again, the
topics are very general and related to your personal
experience. A topic might involve you talking about
a teacher who influenced you as a child, or talking
about the reading habits of people in your country.
Again, you do not need specialist knowledge to talk
about the topics you are given.
The examiner will give you a pencil and a piece of
paper and allow you one minute to write notes in preparation
for your presentation.
Phase Three
Part Three of the speaking test requires you to take
part in a discussion with your examiner. The topics
you discuss will be more sophisticated than in the previous
parts of the test and you will need to give opinions,
speculate on possible events, consider trends as well
as possibly suggest how to solve a problem.
Part Three of the speaking test is the most important
part because it is in this part of the test the examiner
establishes your final speaking score.
Assessment
The examiner interviewing you during the IELTS Test is
trained to assess your spoken English against IELTS criteria.
You do not need to be an absolutely fluent speaker of
English to get a reasonable IELTS speaking score. The
examiner will be looking for your ability to use a range
of vocabulary and grammar in a way that is clear and understandable.
IELTS Scoring
You’ll receive your results just 13 days after the
test. At some centres candidates may collect their results
on the 13th day; at others results are mailed on the 13th
day.
You can have copies of your Test Report Form automatically
sent to five institutions free of charge. This helps
streamline your application processes. Additional copies
will incur a small administration charge.
Your Test Report Form is a valuable document and you
should keep it safe and secure because it cannot be
replaced. It includes:
your score, on a Band Scale from 1 to 9, for each module
of the test
your Overall Band Score, on a scale from 1 to 9
whether you have completed the Academic or General Training
module
your candidate photo and details of your nationality,
first language and date of birth.
Test Report Forms are valid for two years. They have
inbuilt security measures and cannot be copied. Receiving
institutions can also access a database to double-check
your results.
There is no pass or fail in IELTS. Candidates are graded
on their performance in the test, using scores from
1 to 9 for each part of the test – Listening,
Reading, Writing and Speaking. Your results from the
four parts then produce an Overall Band Score.
This unique 9-band system measures scores in a consistent
manner – wherever and whenever the test is taken.
It is internationally recognised and understood, giving
you a reliable international currency.
The IELTS 9-band scale
Each band corresponds to a level of English competence.
All parts of the test and the Overall Band Score can be
reported in whole and half bands, eg 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0.
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 IELTS tests have been designed to reflect accurately
the candidate’s abilities to deal with the English
language. The design of the test makes it statistically
unlikely that there will be a great variation in the test
scores.
To view registration process for IELTS click
here...
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