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IELTS
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the most widely recognized English language proficiency tests. It is designed for individuals who want to study, work, or migrate to English-speaking countries.
1. Computer-Based IELTS (CBT)
- Conducted on a computer at an official IELTS test centre.
- Faster results (usually within 3–5 days).
- Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are completed on a computer, while the Speaking test is still conducted face-to-face with an examiner.
- More test date availability and flexible scheduling.
2. Paper-Based IELTS (PBT)
- Conducted at an official IELTS test centre using pen and paper.
- Results take longer (usually 13 days).
- Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are done on paper, while the Speaking test is face-to-face with an examiner.
- Some candidates prefer this format if they are more comfortable writing rather than typing.
Both formats are available for:
- IELTS Academic(for study abroad).
- IELTS General Training (for work, migration, or general purposes).
The exam format and scoring remain the same in both versions. The choice between computer-based and paper-based depends on your personal preference and convenience.
Countries Where IELTS is Useful
IELTS is accepted by over 11,000 organizations worldwide, including universities, employers, immigration authorities, and professional bodies. Some of the major countries where IELTS is commonly required include:
- United Kingdom Required for student and work visas, as well as university admissions.
- United States (USA) Accepted by many universities and institutions for admissions.
- Canada Mandatory for immigration and higher education.
- Australia Required for work, study, and permanent residency applications
- New Zealand Used for migration, work, and university admissions.
- Ireland Accepted by universities and employers.
- Germany, France, Netherlands, and other European countries Some institutions accept IELTS for courses taught in English.
IELTS Exam Pattern
The IELTS test assesses English proficiency across four sections:
1. Listening (30 minutes)
- 4 recorded conversations/monologues
- 40 questions (Multiple choice, matching, sentence completion, etc.)
2. Reading (60 minutes)
- 3 passages with 40 questions
- Different question types: Multiple choice, matching headings, true/false/not given, etc.
- Academic Reading (for university admissions)
- General Training Reading (for work or migration)
3. Writing (60 minutes)
- Task 1: Report writing (Academic) or Letter writing (General Training)
- Task 2: Essay writing (for both Academic & General)
4. Speaking (11–14 minutes)
- Part 1: Introduction and general questions
- Part 2: Essay writing (for both Academic & General)
- Part 3: Discussion related to the topic in Part 2
Types of IELTS Exam Models
There are two main types of IELTS exams:
1. IELTS Academic
- Designed for students who want to study at universities or colleges in English-speaking countries.
- Focuses on academic reading and writing tasks.
2. IELTS General Training
- Suitable for those applying for work, migration, or training programs
- Reading and writing tasks are more workplace and social-life related.
3. IELTS for UKVI (UK Visa and Immigration)
- A special IELTS test for people applying for a UK visa.
- Follows the same format but is administered under specific security standards.
4. IELTS Life Skills
- Designed for UK visa applicants who need to prove speaking and listening skills at A1 or B1 levels.
- Shorter than the regular IELTS test.
IELTS Score System
IELTS is scored on a band scale of 0 to 9, with 0 being the lowest and 9 the highest. Most universities require a score between 6.0 and 7.5.
- Band 9 – Expert user
- Band 8 – Very good user
- Band 7 – Good user
- Band 6 – Competent user
- Band 5 – Modest user
- Band 4 – Limited user
- Band 3 – Extremely limited user
- Band 2 – Intermittent user
- Band 1 – Non-user
- Band 0 – Did not attempt the test