IELTS TEST

The International English Language Testing System is widely recognized as a reliable means of assessing the language ability of candidates who need to sutdy or work where English is the language of communication or for professional purposes. 

IELTS is owned by three partners: the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, the British Council and IDP Education Pty Limited (through its subsidiary company, IELTS Australia Pty Limited). Further information on IELTS can be found on the official IELTS website www.ielts.org

TEST FORMAT

IELTS consists of four components. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking tests. The Reading and Writing tests change according to whether a candidate is taking the Academic or General Training test.

• Academic: For candidates taking the test for entry to undergraduate or postgraduate studies or for professional reasons.

• General Training: For candidates taking the test for entry to vocational or training programmes not at degree level, for admission to secondary schools and for immigration purposes.

It is worth pointing out that the test you are going to take is the Academic IELTS. Below you will find a description of the components which are taken in that order:

Listening (30 minutes)

This test consists of four sections, each with ten questions. The fist two sections are concerned with social needs. The first section is a conversation between two speakers and the second section is a monologue. The final two sections are concerned with situations related to educational or training contexts. The third section is a conversation between up to four people and the fourth section is a monologue, usually a lecture on a topic of general interest.

A variety of question types is used, including: multiple choice, short-answer questions, sentence completion, notes/form/table/summary/flow-chart completion, labelling a diagram/plan/map, classification, matching.

Candidates hear the recording once only and answer the questions as they listen. Ten minutes are allowed at the end for candidates to transfer their answers to the answer sheet.

Academic Reading (60 minutes)

This test consists of three sections with 40 questions. There are three texts, which are taken from journals, books, magazines, and newspapers. The texts are on topics of general interest. At least one text contains detailed logical argument.

A variety of question types is used, including: multiple choice, short-answer questions, sentence completion, notes/summary/flow-chart/table completion, diagram label completion, classification, matching, choosing suitable paragraph headings from a list, identification of writer's views/claims - yes, no, not given, identification of information in the text - true, false, not given.

Academic Writing (60 minutes)

This test consists of two tasks. It is suggested that candidates spend about 20 minutes on task 1, which requires them to write at least 150 words, and 40 minutes on Task 2, which requires them to write at least 250 words. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.

Task 1 requires candidates to look at a diagram or some data (graph, table or chart) and to present the information in their own words they are assessed on their ability to organize, present and possibly compare data, describe the stages of a process, describe an object or event, or explain how something works.

In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view, argument or problem. They are assessed on their ability to present a solution to the problem, present and justify an opinion, compare and contrast evidence and opinions, and evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or arguments.

Candidates are also assessed on their ability to write in an appropriate style.

Speaking (11 to 14 minutes)

This test is conducted by a trained examiner. There are three parts:

Part 1

The candidate and the examiner introduce themselves. Candidates then answer general questions about themselves, their home/family, their job/studies, their interests and a wide range of similar familiar topic areas. This part lasts between four and five minutes.

Part 2

The candidate is given a task card with prompts and is asked to talk on a particular topic. The candidate has one minute to prepare and they can make some notes if they wish, before speaking for between one and two minutes. The examiner then asks one or two rounding-off questions.

Part 3

The examiner and the candidate engage in a discussion of more abstract issues which are thematically linked to the topic in Part 2. The discussion lasts between four and five minutes.

The Speaking test assesses whether candidates can communicate effectively in English. The assessment takes into account Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. More information on assessing the Speaking test, including Speaking Band Descriptors (public version), is available on the IELTS website.