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WHAT IS IELTS?
The International
English Language Testing System
(IELTS) is an English Language
Proficiency Test, mandatory
for non-native students for studying
in nations where the mode and
medium of instruction is English.
Many Universities in the UK,
Australia, New Zealand and Canada
accept the IELTS. It is a prerequisite
for students desirous of studying
in Australia - an Australian
Student Visa, granted without
an IELTS Score is unheard of.
All other Universities require
students to either take the
TOEFL or IELTS.Most Centers
provide a testing session about
thrice a month. Candidates are
advised to contact their nearest
center to find out the date
of the next date and collect
the IELTS Handbook and an application
form.
IELTS is jointly managed by: University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council, and IDP: IELTS Australia
The test has four components - Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking. You will receive a band score for each component as well as a global band score.
The Academic Module- This module is intended for candidates seeking entry to a university or institution of higher education offering degree and diploma courses (i.e. those seeking undergraduate or postgraduate courses).
The General Training Module- This module is meant for candidates seeking immigration to an English speaking country.
The two versions do not carry the same weight and are not interchangeable. All candidates are tested on reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Whereas the speaking and listening sections are common for the Academic and General versions of the test, the Reading and Writing sections are different.
IELTS
TEST FORMAT
| Section |
Subject |
Questions |
Time (Mins) |
| I |
Listening |
4 Sections of Listening
Speeches |
28-30 |
| II |
Written |
2 Quest of 20 & 40 Minutes |
60 |
| III |
Reading |
3 Passages 38-40 Questions |
60 |
| IV |
Speaking |
Introduction + Cue Card |
10-12 |
There is no fixed pass mark
in IELTS. The acceptability
of a score is totally at the
discretion of the institute-applied
or govt. body (immigration).
However, as a general rule,
scores below Band 6 are considered
to be too low and above Band
6.5 are deemed to be adequate
and good. Band 6 scores are
borderline. An overall score
of Band 6.5 is mostly accepted
as a good score. The individual
module's Band score is considered
as per the requirement.
| 9 |
Expert User |
| 8 |
Very Good User |
| 7 |
Good User |
| 6 |
Competent User |
| 5 |
Modest User |
| 4 |
Limited User |
| 3 |
Extremely Limited User |
| 2 |
Intermittent User |
| 1 |
Non User |
| 0 |
Did not attempt the
test |
When is the IELTS Test
held?
The IELTS examination is held
thrice, once a month.
The individual module's Band
score is considered as per the
requirement. The Band score
obtained is valid up to two
years. While obtaining admission
to an educational institute,
the latest IELTS score is considered.
Eligibility and Fees
IELTS is not recommended for
candidates under the age of
16. The test is valid for 2
years, test reports older than
2 years would only be accepted
as evidence that the student
tried to improve his English
Proficiency.
In India, the fee is Rs. 6,500,
payable at the time of registration.
You can pay INR by means of
a Nationalized bank draft payable
to the British Council.
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