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IELTS: The International English Language Testing System
IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is used as the language of communication. IELTS is required for entry to university in the UK and other countries.
Who is it for?
IELTS is recognised by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. It is also recognised by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies. More than 1.4 million people a year take the test.
How much does it cost to take IELTS?
Fees are set by test centres and vary from country to country.
What is the test like?
You can choose between the Academic or General Training versions of the test. All candidates do the same Listening and Speaking sections.
The test has four sections:
Listening: 4 sections, 40 questions, 30 minutes
Reading: different for Academic or General Training: 3 sections, 40 questions, 60 minutes.
Writing: different for Academic or General Training - 2 pieces of writing, 60 minutes.
Speaking: interview 3 parts , 15 minutes
Levels and scores
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You get a score between 1 and 9.
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Multi-level.
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Half scores such as 6.5 are possible.
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Universities often demand an IELTS score of 6 or 7.
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They may also demand a minimum score in each of the 4 sections.
When can I take the test?
Arrange with your closest test centre. There are frequent dates, usually on Thursdays or Saturdays.
Where can I take the test?
IELTS tests are administered at accredited Test Centres throughout the world - there are currently more than 500 Centres, in over 120 countries. Click here to find a test centre.
Listening
Speaking
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You will listen to 4 different recordings and answer 40 questions.
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The test takes approximately 30 minutes. You will have an additional ten minutes to transfer your answers to an answer sheet
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You only hear the audio once.
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A variety of voices and native-speaker accents is use.
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You will hear conversations and monologues, with topics ranging from the everyday social to the academic.
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A variety of question types are used, including multiple choice, form completion, note completion, summary completion, sentence completion, and short-answer questions.
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Candidates for IELTS Academic and IELTS General both do the same listening test
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The speaking test takes 11-14 minutes and consists of an interview with an examiner.
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The interview is recorded.
The speaking test has three parts:
Part 1: Introduction and interview: 4-5 minutes
Examiner introduces him/herself and checks your name.
The examiner then asks you questions on general topics.
Part 2: Individual long turn: 3-4 minutes (including 1 minute preparation)
Examiner gives you a written task card. You have 1 minute to think (take notes) before you have to speak for 1–2 minutes.
Examiner asks one or two questions at the end of your talk.
Part 3: Two-way discussion: 4-5 minutes
Discuss with the examiner more abstract issues and concepts which are thematically linked to the topic of your talk in Part 2.
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The reading test is different for IELTS Academic and IELTS General candidates
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3 sections, 40 questions, 60 minutes
Reading
Writing
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The writing test is different for IELTS Academic and IELTS General candidates.
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Academic Writing.
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2 pieces of writing, 60 minutes.
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You need a good understanding of English grammar to succeed at IELTS.
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Carefully review the explanations and do the practice tests in the grammar section, particularly at the higher levels.
Vocabulary
Grammar
There is no specific vocabulary section in the IELTS test but you will need to understand and be able to use a large number of words to do well in all sections of the exam.
If you are doing the Academic version of IELTS you should study the words in the Academic word list.
Practice Links
in this section you will find some links that it will of great help for each of the parts of the CAE and som others where you can practice all parts of the exam.