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The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a language proficiency test used for studying, migrating, or working abroad. There are two types of IELTS tests: Academic and General Training.
The IELTS Academic test is for students applying for higher education, while the General Training test is for those seeking permanent residency or work opportunities.
The test evaluates four skills:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
The Listening, Reading, and Writing parts are taken in a single 3-hour session, with no breaks. The Speaking test is scheduled either a week before or after the main test. Both the Academic and General Training tests have the same format for the Listening and Speaking sections.
Reading
Duration: 60 Minutes
General Reading:
In this section, you’ll face 40 questions spread across 3 parts, testing a variety of skills. The question types are diverse, like pieces of a puzzle, each one challenging a different aspect of your comprehension. You may encounter:
- Multiple choice questions
- Identifying whether the writer’s views or claims are marked as Yes, No, or Not Given
- Determining if information is True, False, or Not Given
- Matching pieces of information, headings, features, or sentence endings
- Completing sentences
- Summarizing, noting, or labeling tables, flow-charts, or diagrams
- Answering short questions
Every question calls for careful attention, nudging you to peel back layers of meaning within the text.
Academic Reading:
Each section presents a long, rich passage drawn from books, journals, magazines, or newspapers—designed to immerse you in the world of academic thought. The content can range from clear, factual descriptions to deep, analytical insights. Sometimes, the paragraphs unfold into non-verbal elements, like diagrams, graphs, or illustrations, giving you a visual representation of the concepts discussed.
These passages offer a slice of intellectual life, challenging you to dive deeper into topics with descriptive and thought-provoking material, much like exploring the hidden corridors of a library filled with academic treasures.
Marking:
For each correct answer, you score 1 mark. These marks are then converted into your IELTS band score, which spans from 0 to 9. The scale translates your effort into a universal measure of English proficiency, as if each mark brings you one step closer to your goal, shaping your overall band score.
Listening
Listening Section Overview
Duration: 30 minutes (+10 minutes to transfer your answers)
The IELTS Listening test is designed to assess your ability to understand spoken English in various contexts. It includes four recordings, and you’ll need to answer 40 questions based on these recordings. Each correct answer earns 1 mark, and the total score out of 40 is converted into a band score ranging from 0 to 9.
Structure:
Recording 1:
- Type: A conversation between two people in everyday social situations (e.g., making travel arrangements).
- Purpose: Tests your ability to follow casual, daily-life interactions.
Recording 2:
- Type: A monologue about a social context (e.g., a speech about local facilities).
- Purpose: Assesses your understanding of short, structured talks.
Recording 3:
- Type: A conversation between up to four people in an educational or training context (e.g., students discussing a project).
- Purpose: Tests your ability to follow more complex discussions.
Recording 4:
- Type: A monologue on an academic subject (e.g., a university lecture).
- Purpose: Evaluates how well you can comprehend detailed and structured information.
Types of Questions:
- Multiple Choice: Choose the correct answer from given options.
- Matching: Match information or speakers to statements.
- Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling: Label parts of a plan, map, or diagram based on what you hear.
- Form/Note/Table/Flow-chart/Summary Completion: Fill in the gaps with appropriate words from the recording.
- Sentence Completion: Complete sentences with information from the recording.
- Short Answer Questions: Provide short answers to questions based on the recording.
Key Skills Tested:
- Understanding main ideas and specific details.
- Recognizing the speaker’s opinion, attitude, or purpose.
- Following the development of arguments or ideas.
Marking: Your performance is based on the number of correct answers, and the final score is converted into a band ranging from 0 to 9. You’ll have 10 minutes at the end to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
Writing
Duration: 60 minutes
The IELTS Writing test consists of two tasks and assesses your ability to write clearly, organize ideas, and use appropriate language. It is different for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
Academic Writing:
Task 1:
- Type: Describe, summarize, or explain visual information such as graphs, charts, tables, maps, or diagrams.
- Word Count: At least 150 words.
- Purpose: Tests your ability to describe trends, compare data, or explain a process in a clear, formal style.
Example:
- You might be asked to describe the changes in population over time in a chart or compare different pieces of data.
Task 2:
- Type: Write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem.
- Word Count: At least 250 words.
- Purpose: Assesses your ability to present a clear argument, support it with reasons and examples, and use appropriate structure and language.
Example:
- You might need to discuss whether technology has made people more socially isolated, giving reasons and supporting your position with examples.
General Training Writing:
Task 1:
- Type: Write a letter in response to a given situation.
- Word Count: At least 150 words.
- Purpose: Assesses your ability to communicate effectively in everyday situations through formal, semi-formal, or informal language, depending on the context.
Example:
- You could be asked to write a letter to a friend inviting them to a party or a letter to your employer explaining why you need some time off.
Task 2:
- Type: Write an essay responding to a point of view, argument, or problem.
- Word Count: At least 250 words.
- Purpose: Similar to the Academic test, but the topics are more general in nature and less academically focused.
Example:
- You may be asked to discuss whether children should be encouraged to play competitive sports and explain your opinion on the matter.
Key Skills Tested:
- Task Response: How well you address the task and cover all parts of the prompt.
- Coherence and Cohesion: How logically you organize your ideas and link them smoothly.
- Lexical Resource: Your range of vocabulary and how accurately you use it.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Your ability to use various sentence structures correctly.
Marking: Your answers are scored on the basis of the four key criteria mentioned above, and each task contributes to your final band score on a scale of 0 to 9. Task 2 carries more weight in the final score than Task 1.
Speaking
Speaking Section Overview
Duration: 11-14 minutes
The IELTS Speaking test is a face-to-face interview with an examiner, designed to assess your spoken English skills. It consists of three parts, and the questions range from general topics to more in-depth discussions.
Structure:
Part 1: Introduction & Interview (4-5 minutes)
- Type: General questions about yourself, your life, and familiar topics like your home, work, studies, hobbies, or interests.
- Purpose: To assess your ability to communicate about everyday topics fluently and coherently.
Example Questions:
- Can you tell me about your hometown?
- What do you do in your free time?
- Do you prefer eating out or cooking at home?
Part 2: Long Turn (3-4 minutes)
- Type: You will be given a cue card with a topic and have 1 minute to prepare. You’ll need to speak for 1-2 minutes on the topic without interruption, followed by one or two follow-up questions from the examiner.
- Purpose: To evaluate how well you can organize your thoughts and speak at length on a given topic.
Example Cue Card Topic:
- Describe a memorable event from your childhood.
- Talk about a book you have recently read.
- Describe a person you admire.
Follow-up Questions:
- Why was this event significant for you?
- How has this person influenced you?
Part 3: Discussion (4-5 minutes)
- Type: A two-way discussion based on the topic from Part 2. The examiner will ask more abstract and complex questions, encouraging you to explain your opinions, give reasons, and analyze issues in depth.
- Purpose: To test your ability to discuss broader, more complex ideas and express your opinions clearly.
Example Discussion Questions:
- How do childhood experiences shape a person’s future?
- Do you think reading is still as popular as it used to be?
Key Skills Tested:
- Fluency and Coherence: How well you can speak fluently without hesitation, and how logically your ideas flow.
- Lexical Resource: The range and appropriateness of vocabulary you use.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: How well you use different grammatical structures accurately.
- Pronunciation: Your ability to produce clear, understandable speech.
Marking:
The speaking test is scored on the four key criteria mentioned above, and you will receive a band score between 0 and 9. The test is recorded to ensure fairness in marking, and you will be assessed on your ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
