International English Language Testing System
|
|
| The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is conducted jointly by the British Council, the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (known popularly as the Cambridge ESOL) and IELTS Australia, which is the sub-division of IDP, the leading educational organization of the country of Australia.
IELTS measures Reading, Writing, Listening and speaking skills of the candidates in English. About 5,000 government agencies, educational institutions and professional organizations around the world accept IELTS scores as proof of English proficiency of the candidates.
IELTS scores range from Band 1 to 9, with Band 1 score indicating the non-user and Band 9 indicating the expert user who has full command of the English language. |
| |
| Structure of the test |
|
| All candidates must complete four Modules - Listening, Reading, Writing and speaking to obtain an IELTS Test Report Form.
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. The Speaking Module may be taken, at the discretion of the test centre, in the period seven days before or after the other Modules.
The tests are designed to cover the full range of ability from non-user to expert user. |
| |
| IELTS test format |
|
| Skill Tested |
No. of Sections / Tasks |
No. of Items / Words |
Alloted Time |
| Listening |
4 Sections |
40 |
30 minutes |
| Reading |
3 Sections |
40 |
60 minutes |
| Writing |
2 Sections |
1st for 150 words and 2nd for 250 words |
60 minutes |
| Speaking |
- |
|
11 to 14 minutes |
| |
|
Total Test Time |
2 hours 45 minutes |
Listening, Reading and Writing Modules have to be attempted in one day but the Speaking Module can be taken seven days before or after the other Modules, at the discretion of the test centre. |
| |
| Duration of the Test |
|
| 2 hours 45 minutes |
| |
| How to register? |
|
- You must apply to a test centre to take an IELTS test prior to the test date.
- Submit the IELTS application form in the test centre with the test fee, two passport sized photographs and a photocopy of your passport.
- The test centre will confirm the date and time when you want to take your IELTS test.
You will need to take the passport or other identification number, you have mentioned in the admission form, while taking the test. |
| |
| Where is it held? |
|
CB IELTS will be available at the following IELTS centres in India :
- New Delhi - British Council
- New Delhi - IDP Education Australia
|
| Test Dates and Deadlines |
|
| IELTS is available on up to 48 fixed dates a year - up to four times a month, depending on local demand. Your nearest test centre can give you the dates. |
| |
| For how long is the score card valid? |
|
| There are a number of variables affecting the length of time over which an IELTS score remains valid. As a general rule it is recommended that a Test Report Form (TRF), that is more than two years old should only be accepted as evidence of present level of ability if accompanied by proof that a candidate has actively maintained or tried to improve their English language proficiency. |
| |
