3 things to know before taking IELTS test

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the most widely used English language tests. The test consists of 4 sections, namely: Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. It is designed for people who want to study or work in English speaking countries.

Prospective candidates, who are applying to study in universities/colleges abroad, will be asked to take the IELTS test.

This article is for those candidates who want to study or work abroad.

The 3 things you must know before taking the IELTS test:

Why should you take it?

The test is jointly owned by IDP and the British Council, and is the most preferred English proficiency test for universities/colleges in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, Britain, and South Africa. The test is also accepted by many schools in the USA, and other English language programmes in many countries around the world. In addition to this, if you want to apply for a work visa abroad, you will be asked to take the test and score the required bands. So, to successfully achieve your goal of studying/working abroad, you need to take the test.

What is the required band score?

IELTS test takers are given a score in the form of bands on a scale ranging from 1 to 9 for each section of the test. The average score from the 4 sections is further used to determine the overall band score. The candidates should know the band score required by the country/university/college, in which they are seeking to apply for work or further education.

How should you prepare?

A great way to prepare for IELTS is by constantly practising the 4 sections, namely: Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Listening. It is recommended that the candidates take the available online free test practice sessions, as these enhance the skills of the candidates in all 4 sections. They should get acquainted with the test format before taking the final test.

There are many apps available these days that help in enhancing English language skills. The candidates can use such apps to enhance their skills in listening, reading etc. In addition to this, the candidates should also focus on enhancing their vocabulary and spellings.

They may also take the help of coaching institutes which specifically focus on IELTS preparation. These institutes assist the test takers by keeping them informed about all the latest updates and required practice for successfully taking the test and scoring good bands.

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Listening

The IELTS Listening test consists of four recordings (four parts) from native English speakers with ten (10) questions in each recording (part).

Recording 1: an everyday social conversation between two people

Recording 2: a monologue set in an everyday social context

Recording 3: an educational conversation with upto four people

Recording 4: a monologue on an academic subject

Listening test scores will be based on your ability to understand the main ideas,
factual information, opinions, attitude and purpose of the speaker and your ability
to follow the development of ideas.

No. of questions: 40 Marks:

each question is worth one (1) mark

Total time: 30 minutes (+ 2 minutes review time )

Speaking

The IELTS Speaking test assesses your pronunciation, grammar, accuracy, fluency and lexical resources while speaking English. There are three (3) parts to this test, with each part fulfilling a specific function in terms of task input, interaction pattern and the test taker’s output.

Part 1: Introduction & Interview This part includes general questions about the test taker like residence, work,family, interests, etc.

Part 2: Long Run Cue cards are shared on a particular topic and one (1) minute will be given to prepare to speak for upto two (2) minutes on the topic.

Part 3: Discussion This part gives you the opportunity to discuss the topic from the cue card in further detail, in a more general and abstract way

Total time: 11-14 minutes

Reading

The IELTS Reading test is designed to test a wide range of reading skills including reading for skimming, details, gist, understanding arguments and writer’s opinions,attitude and purpose

IELTS Academic Reading – It includes three (3) reading passages (with a variety of questions) ranging from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical. These passages are of general interest dealing with interesting and recognizably appropriate issues, with at least one passage containing a detailed logical argument

Note: The reading texts may contain non-verbal materials as well like graphs, diagrams or illustrations.

IELTS General Reading – It includes three (3) daily passages (with 2-3 short texts in the first passage, 2 texts in the second passage and 1 long text in the third passage), based on an English-speaking environment, from notices, newspapers, magazines or advertisements.

Reading passage 1: texts based on social survival, like advertisements, notices and timetables

Reading passage 2: texts based on workplace survival, like contracts, job descriptions, staff development & training material

Reading passage 3: texts based on general reading, involving more extended prose and a complex structure.

No. of questions: 40

Marks: each question is worth one (1) mark

Total time: 60 minutes (no additional transfer time)

Note: Please note that the question types in the Listening & Reading sections can include multiple choice answers, true or false answers, matching information/headings or sentence, table & flow-chart completion.

Listening

The IELTS Listening test consists of four recordings (four parts) from native English speakers with ten (10) questions in each recording (part).

Recording 1: an everyday social conversation between two people

Recording 2: a monologue set in an everyday social context

Recording 3: an educational conversation with upto four people

Recording 4: a monologue on an academic subject

Listening test scores will be based on your ability to understand the main ideas,
factual information, opinions, attitude and purpose of the speaker and your ability
to follow the development of ideas.

No. of questions: 40 Marks:

each question is worth one (1) mark

Total time: 30 minutes (+10 minutes transfer time)