IELTS PREPARATION

The Test

All Candidates are tested in listening, reading, writing and speaking.

•    Listening   30 mins
•    Reading     60 mins
•    Writing      60 mins
•    Speaking   11 – 14 mins

Total test time 2 hours 45 minutes excluding breaks.

Listening

• Time: 30 minutes  4 sections, 40 questions
• Real-world listening situations
• Difficulty
• Range of topics and tasks

               - listening for specific information  e.g.dates, place names

               - understanding gist

               - understanding speaker attitude/opinion

General listening strategies

• Recording is played once
• Read question CAREFULLY BEFORE listening
• Familiarise yourself with question types

               - completing a chart

               - selecting pictures

               - note-taking exercises

               - MC questions 

Reading

• Time: 60 minutes 3 reading passages, totally 40 questions
• Texts are taken from books, magazines, journals and newspapers
• Question types

               - find detailed information

               - identify attitudes and views

               - complete a diagram

General Reading Strategies

• Identify reading skills being tested
• Practise these skills

Writing

• Time: 60 minutes 2 tasks
• Task 1(20mins): descriptive report of a table or diagram, 150 words
• Task 2(40 mins):250 word essay in response to an opinion or a problem. 
• Discuss issues, construct an argument and use the appropriate tone and register.

General Writing Strategies

• Read the question carefully
• Familiarise yourself with descriptions of data – in newspapers, textbooks
• Practise formulating your own ideas on topics

Speaking

• Time: 10 – 15 minutes
• Face to face interview between one candidate and one examiner.
• Part 1(4-5mins): Introduction and interview
• Part 2(1-3 mins incl. prep): Individual talk
• Part 3(4-5 mins): Discussion topics 

• Speak fluently and link ideas coherently
• Demonstrate a range of appropriate vocabulary
• Use accurate grammar and appropriate register
• Speak so that a listener can understand

Speaking strategies

Part 1

    - Take the initiative if possible- Always say more than yes or no
    - Try to overcome nerves

Part 2

                - Take the 1 min preparation time

                - Jot down some main ideas

                - Sound interested in the talk

    Part 3

    - Give informed responses

    - Demonstrate your control of the language

    - Attempt to express abstract ideas

    - Support your opinions

    - Show that you are willing to provide extended replies 

Scoring

• IELTS provides a profile of a candidate’s ability to use English
• Candidates receive a score on a Band Scale from 1-9

 Scores on the IELTS test are graded into nine bands as follows:

 Band 0-Did not attempt the test  
 Band 1-Non User  
 Band 2-Intermittent User  
 Band 3-Extremely Limited  User 
 Band 4-Limited User  
 Band 5-Modest User   
 Band 7-Good User 
 Band 8-Very Good User 
 Band 9 -Expert User  

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.