All about IELTS

International English Language Testing System or IELTS is an English language proficiency exam that measures the language ability of candidates willing to study or work in a country where English is the language of communication. The exam mainly assesses the ability of test-takers to communicate in the four basic language skills, as in, listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

Available world-wide in more than 110 countries, IELTS is jointly owned and administered by the University of Cambridge – Local Examination Syndicate, The British Council and the IDP Education Australia.

Features:

• IELTS is accepted across 7000 organisations in 135 countries.
• IELTS tests English conversation skills through a face-to-face speaking test with a trained, certi?ed examiner, which is the most effective way of testing two-way interactive speaking skills, and generates the most natural performance from the candidate.
• IELTS recognises both British and American English in terms of spelling, grammar and choice of words.
• IELTS tests are offered up to four times a month in over 800 test venues in more than 130 countries.
• Results are issued to candidates 13 calendar days after the test.
• Official IELTS Test centres can send Test Report Forms directly to your organisation or institution (provided it has been nominated by the candidate), either by mail or as an electronic download.

British Council IELTS Scholarship: The British Council offers eight scholarships annually of INR 3,00,000 each, to candidates that have taken IELTS with the British Council. The details of the same are available on www.britishcouncil.in

Delivery mode: Pen and Paper

Eligibility: There is no minimum education qualification required for taking the test. However, IELTS is recommended for candidates who are 16 years and above.

Scoring/Bands:

You cannot fail the test. IELTS is designed to assess English language skills at all levels.

You will receive IELTS scores based on each for the four skills on a scale of 1 – 9, and you will also be awarded an overall band score. You can score whole (e.g., 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half (e.g., 5.5., 6.5, 7.5) bands in each part of the test.

Your overall band score may be crucial if you intend to emigrate, apply for university or take up a job in an English-speaking country.

IELTS band scale:

Band 9	Expert user	Aspirant has fully operational command of the language
Band 8	Very good user	Fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies.
Band 7	Good user	Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations
Band 6	Competent user	Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
Band 5	Modest user	Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes
Band 4	Limited user	Have frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language
Band 3	Extremely limited user	Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
Band 2	Intermittent user	Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English
Band 1	Non-user	Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words
Band 0	Did not attempt the test	No assessable information provided

 

Time duration: The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. This is further divided over:

• Listening (30 minutes)
• Reading (60 minutes)
• Writing (60 minutes)
• Speaking (11–14 minutes)

Frequency of the test: You can take IELTS with the British Council in over 130 Countries up to once a week (4 times a month)

The British Council Global Schedule for global test dates:

• IELTS Academic: 48 days per year
• IELTS General Training: 24 days per year

However, if a candidate is not satisfied with his scores he can take the exam again after three months from the date of the first exam.

Format of the test:

IELTS is available in two test formats: Academic or General Training. There are four sections to the test: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing.

Basis	IELTS Academic	IELTS General
Description	For those wanting to study in an English-speaking country at the tertiary level, i.e. in UG or PG exams. Hence, the Academic IELTS test takers should have at least cleared their 12th boards.	For those wanting to study in a secondary school or opt for a training program in an English-speaking country. Candidates seeking to gain work experience or migrate to another country will also need to take this test.
Sections:
Listening	30 minutes + 10 minutes extra to transfer one’s answer to the answer sheet. It encompasses four recorded monologues and conversations	30 minutes + 10 minutes extra to transfer one’s answer to the answer sheet. It encompasses four recorded monologues and conversations
Reading(60 minutes)	Three long reading passages with tasks. Texts range from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical Includes non-verbal material like diagrams, graphs and illustrations Texts are authentic(e.g. taken from books, journals and newspapers)	Three reading passages from tasks Section 1 contains two or three short factual texts Section 2 contains two short, work related, factual texts Section 3 contains one longer text on a topic of general interest Texts are authentic(e.g. taken from company handbooks, official documents, books and newspapers
Writing(60 minutes)	Writing task of at least 150 words where the candidate must summarise, describe or explain  table, graph, chart or diagram Short essay task of at least 250 words	Letter writing task of atleast 150 words Short essay task of at least 250 words
Speaking(11-14 minutes)	Face-to-face interview Includes short questions, speaking at length about a familiar topic and a structured discussion	Face-to-face interview Includes short questions, speaking at length about a familiar topic and a structured discussion

Preparations material: IELTS tests candidates who intend to study or work where English is the primary language of communication.

On registering for the test with The British Council, students are entitled for:

• A Free book titled ‘IELTS practice 8’ containing practice material for the IELTS
• Free access to “Road to IELTS” an online application which helps you prepare better for the test.

In addition to the above material the British Council provides the following resources to assist the candidate to score higher at the test.

• Tips on taking the IELTS
• Free online IELTS sample material  and http://www.cambridgeesol.org/teach/ielts/

Fee for appearing: Rs 8900 /-

How to apply:

• Log on to http://www.britishcouncil.org/india-exams-ielts-home.htm. and complete the online form or visit a British council office or Library near you between 10:00 to 18:00 hours (Monday to Saturday )
• Pay for your IELTS test using one of the methods below. 

1)Make Cash payment at any ICICI bank branch by filling in the ICICI/ British council payment slip. Download payment slip from here.

2)Pay by Demand Draft – Demand Draft should be drawn in favour of “British Council Division” payable at Mumbai/Delhi/Chennai/Kolkata.

3)Pay by Credit Card / Debit Card by visiting the British Council offices.

How to complete your application:

Ensure the following documents reach within 3 days of registering for the test either by post to the Test centre contact address or in person at your nearest British Council office:

If you are paying online

• A copy of the email confirming that you have been registered online.
• Two passport sized colour photographs (not older than six months and without glasses).
• A photocopy of your valid passport

If you are paying through DD/Cash/Credit Card

• A copy of the email confirming if you have been registered online or the Original IELTS application form
• Two passport sized colour photographs (not older than six months and without glasses).
• A photocopy of your valid passport
• The evidence of your payment made (either the demand draft or the ‘British Council Copy’ of the ICICI Deposit slip or the merchant copy of the credit card transaction slip after your payment has been made).

Countries accepting the test: Over 6,000 Educational Institutions in more than 76 Countries worldwide recognize IELTS. These include 2,000 US Universities (inclusive of all the Ivy League Colleges), Canadian Universities, European and UK Universities, Australian Universities, and the universities in New Zealand. Besides, the UK Border Agency, the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and New Zealand Immigration Service also ask for IELTS results for those who are interested in immigration in their respective countries.

Source: British Council