IELTS AND IELTS exam pattern

What is IELTS?

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is designed to measure the overall proficiency in English. It is a prerequisite for those who wish to study or work where English is the language of communication. It conforms to the highest international standards of language assessment. The test is simultaneously conducted by British Council, IDP Australia and Cambridge ESOL. Register for IELTS Test

International Recognition:

IELTS is recognized for course admission by universities in many countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, the UK and increasingly in Germany and wider Europe. IELTS is also required as proof of your language abilities for immigration to Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

What the test is all about:

Candidates are tested in Listening, Reading, Writing And Speaking. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules.

There is a choice between Academic and General Training in the Reading and Writing Modules. The first three modules ? Listening, Reading and Writing ? must be completed in one day. There is no break between the modules. The Speaking Module may be taken, at the discretion of the test centre, in the period seven days before or after the other modules.

Can I Choose Test Modules:

Yes, You can choose between the Academic and General Training Modules.

Choose the Academic Module if you want to go to university in an English speaking country or if you want to register with the General Medical Council or Dental Medical Council in the UK.

If you wish to emigrate to Australia, New Zealand or Canada opt for the General Training Module.

To make sure that you choose the module you need, please check with the institution you are doing the test for. It is your solely your discretion to choose the right Module.

So what are the modules:

Module	Duration	Test section	Score
Listening	30 minutes	4 sections	Band 0-9
Reading General*/Academic	60 minutes	3 passages	Band 0-9
Writing General*/Academic	60 minutes	2 tasks	Band 0-9
Speaking	10-14 minutes	3 rounds	Band 0-9

Where can I take the test?

IELTS tests are administered at centres throughout the world. There are currently nearly 400 centres, in over 100 countries. Centres supervise the local administration of the test and ensure the provision of qualified and trained examiners. A full list of centres is available on the IELTS website. Test centres run regular test administrations, according to local need and results are available within two weeks. Candidates receive only one copy of their results but additional copies may be sent by the test centre directly to receiving organizations at the request of the candidate.

How am I evaluated :

The tests are designed to cover the full range of ability from non- user to expert user on a scale from 0 (non-user) to 9 (expert user).

IELTS Test Bands : Overview

9. Expert	user Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.
8. Very good user	Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
7. Good user	Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
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.
5. Modest user	Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.
4. Limited user	Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.
3. Extremely limited user	Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
2. Intermittent user	No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
1. Non user	Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
0. Did not Attempt the Test	No assessable information provided.