International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is designed to test the language ability of candidates. It is recognized by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and USA.
IELTS tests are administered at more than 300 centres in 100 countries. Candidates are not allowed to repeat the test within 90 days.
IELTS is available in two formats:
1) General: Consists of the basic survival skills in the social and educational context.
2) Academic: To assess whether a candidate is ready to study or train in English at the undergraduate and post graduate levels.
More than 5,000 colleges, universities, and licensing agencies in 90 countries accept TOEFL scores.
Format :
Candidates are tested in listening, reading, writing and speaking. The first three modules are to be completed in one day. No break is given. The speaking module can be taken seven days before or after the other three modules at the discretion of the test centre.
Section |
Content |
No of questions |
Time |
Listening |
The Listening Module CD is played once only, candidates write down their answers on the Question paper as they listen.
There are four sections. The first two sections are concerned with social needs. The final two sections are concerned with situations related more closely to educational or training contexts. There is a conversation between upto 4 people and then a further monologue. A range of accents and dialects are used in the recordings. |
40 |
30 minutes |
Reading |
Based on 3 reading passages (2000-2750 words). One text contains a logical argument and another may contain non-verbal materials. The first section ´social survival´ contains texts relevant to basic survival in English. The second section ´Training survival´ involves texts of mor complex language. |
40 |
60 minutes |
Academic Writing/ General Training Writing Section |
There are two writing tasks. The first is an analysis of a chart, a graph, a table or something similar. The second is a composition about an argument of general interest. |
2 |
60 minutes |
Speaking Section |
*** |
*** |
11-14 minutes |
Results are reported 13 days after the test. A score is reported for each module of the test, which are then calculated to produced an Overall Band Score. The band varies from 1 (no real communication possible) to 8 (fully operational command of the language).
The minimum score accepted for a course ranges from 5.0 to 7.5, depending upon courses and institutes you are applying to. The most common requirement is a band score of 6 to 6.5.
Test Reports have a validity of two years.
You can retake the test if you donot achieve the desired score but not before three months of the first test date.
For more information, refer to the website: www.ielts.org
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