If you want to study in an English-speaking country, you'll have to prove that you can understand and communicate in English before you commence your studies. We take a look at the all-important IELTS English language test and tell you everything you need to know...
Many institutions require you to prove a certain level of English language competence, and an IELTS English language test is one way to show how adept you are. IELTS is a globally recognised English language proficiency test that tests all four language skills and assesses your communicative ability.
WHAT IS IELTS?
IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It's a test of your communicative proficiency in the English language, which proves you meet a certain standard, either for work or study purposes. The English language test assesses all four language skills: listening, reading, speaking and writing.
WHO RECOGNISES IELTS?
Educational institutions in the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Ireland and South Africa, and a number of professional bodies across the globe including the New Zealand Immigration Service and the UK's General Medical Council recognise the IELTS English language test. IELTS is accepted by more than 6,000 organisations across the worldwide.
WHO GUARANTEES THE QUALITY OF AN IELTS TEST?
It is co-owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge ESOL, who ensure that the tests apply to all nationalities. The English language test content is produced and checked internationally, so that any cultural or linguistic bias is eliminated.
There are two types of IELTS English language tests: the Academic and the General Training test:
• The Academic test is for international students who want to study at a higher education institution in an English-speaking country.
• The General Training test is suitable for people who want to migrate to an English-speaking country or to work for a professional organisation.
The Listening and Speaking parts of the IELTS test are the same in both these tests, but the Reading and Writing tests are tailored to either Academic skills or General skills.
There are two types of IELTS English language tests: the Academic and the General Training test:
• The Academic test is for international students who want to study at a higher education institution in an English-speaking country.
• The General Training test is suitable for people who want to migrate to an English-speaking country or to work for a professional organisation.
The Listening and Speaking parts of the IELTS test are the same in both these tests, but the Reading and Writing tests are tailored to either Academic skills or General skills.
IELTS ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST COMPONENTS - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Listening test: 30 minutes, 4 sections, 40 items
What's involved? You'll be tested on specific and overall comprehension of English in a variety of contexts and formats.
Academic Reading OR General Training Reading test: 60 minutes, 3 sections, 40 items
What's involved? You'll have to understand detailed text and demonstrate that you understand complicated information presented in the English language.
Academic Writing OR General Training Writing test: 60 minutes, 2 tasks
What's involved? You'll be expected to use English for a variety of purposes and demonstrate that you can tailor your written English to suit a variety of topics and contexts. Your sentence structure, vocabulary, use of grammar and style will be assessed.
Speaking test: 11-14 minutes, 3 parts to this test
What's involved? This is the same for Academic and General Training candidates. It involves a one-to-one interview and covers a range of topics and contexts. You'll have to talk about personal topics, give an unassisted short talk on a selected topic and contribute to a two-way discussion on more abstract issues.
What's involved? You'll be tested on specific and overall comprehension of English in a variety of contexts and formats.
Academic Reading OR General Training Reading test: 60 minutes, 3 sections, 40 items
What's involved? You'll have to understand detailed text and demonstrate that you understand complicated information presented in the English language.
Academic Writing OR General Training Writing test: 60 minutes, 2 tasks
What's involved? You'll be expected to use English for a variety of purposes and demonstrate that you can tailor your written English to suit a variety of topics and contexts. Your sentence structure, vocabulary, use of grammar and style will be assessed.
Speaking test: 11-14 minutes, 3 parts to this test
What's involved? This is the same for Academic and General Training candidates. It involves a one-to-one interview and covers a range of topics and contexts. You'll have to talk about personal topics, give an unassisted short talk on a selected topic and contribute to a two-way discussion on more abstract issues.
IELTS BANDS - WHAT DO THEY MEAN?
After your English language test you'll be assessed and given a band score - here's how they define each of the nine bands.
• 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
• 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
HOW MUCH DOES THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST COST?
The amount changes on a year basis. At the moment, the International English Language Test costs around £115. You can search by local country and currency on the IELTS website.
WHAT SCORE DO I NEED TO GET INTO UNIVERSITY IN THE UK?
If you're aiming to study at an institution in the USA, Canada, the UK or Australia then you'll usually have to achieve an IELTS score of 6-6.5. If you want to enter a profession such as medicine, then the requirement may be an IELTS score of 7 or above, but always check with the relevant institution or organisation.
WHAT ABOUT THE TOEFL TEST?
TOEFL can also be used in the same way - to prove English ability when applying for an academic course. TOEFL is sometimes recognised by British universities as an alternative to IELTS. TOEFL is an American exam that uses American English instead of British English and it's recognised for entry to most US universities.
Useful links
IELTS course Searches by country
IELTS Courses in Australia
IELTS courses in Malaysia
IELTS courses in New Zealand
IELTS courses in Singapore
IELTS courses in London and the UK
IELTS course Searches by country
IELTS Courses in Australia
IELTS courses in Malaysia
IELTS courses in New Zealand
IELTS courses in Singapore
IELTS courses in London and the UK
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