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5 Things You Should Know About IELTS

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The International English Language Testing System, generally known as IELTS is one of the most popular and highly considered language proficiency tests. If you are planning to study aboard or work in a country wherein English is the primary communication language, you may need to take this IELTS test. Going for this test is a huge commitment and preparing for the same requires a lot of dedication and time. If you want to successfully pass this exam, you need to know everything about it.

In this post, we have narrowed down a few important things that you need to know about IELTS. Let us get started!

  1. Academic IELTS or General IELTS? Which one to choose?

This test comes in two different versions – the academic and the general. If you are planning to take this test or exam, you must understand first – which version is right for you. Before you know about IELTS, you must understand the following:

  • Academic IELTS:As the name suggests, this test is meant for students who wish to fly to an English-speaking country/university for higher studies. However, some professionals are also needed to take this test. It is also suggested to check with the employers if you are planning to take this test for a skilled job.
  • General IELTS:This test focuses on English writing and reading skills that are highly useful in day-to-day communication instead of other skills. If you want to study below the degree level or want to work full-time, then this test is the best suited for you.

Related: Beginners Guide to Prepare for IELTS

  1. IELTS or TOEFL? Which one to consider?

If you are aware of IELTS, you must have heard of TOEFL as well. It is also one of the most popular and globally accepted English proficiency tests. So, which one should you take? TOEFL is more like academic IELTS. It means if you are planning for secondary-level education, work, or immigration, then you must go for the general IELTS.

In case, you are a prospective abroad university student, you should check with them whether they accept IELTS or TOELF. In case the university accepts both tests, you should check for the format, style, benefits, etc. of each test.

  1. What is the format of IELTS?

There are multiple sections in the IELTS exams. These sections include – listening, writing, reading, and speaking. The listening and speaking sections are the same in both the academic IELTS and the general IELTS tests. But, the writing and reading sections will differ depending on the version you choose. More details of these sections have been given in the table below:

Type of Section Description Duration of the Section
Listening In this section, you will listen to 4 recorded conversations, monologues, and texts to answer a series of 40 questions. This section is designed to test your ability to understand the detailed factual information and main ideas, ability to understand attitudes and opinions of speakers, ability to understand the purpose of the statement, and the ability to follow the ideas’ development. 30 Minutes
Speaking This section is for assessing the spoken English ability of the candidate. This section uses real people to test the skills of the candidates. They also pick up on your native accent so that you can get the best possible score. 11-14 Minutes
Academic Reading This section has 40 questions to test reading skills. These include reading for main ideas, reading for gist, reading for details, understanding logical arguments, and recognizing the opinions, purpose, and attitudes of the writers. 60 Minutes
General Reading Training Just like academic reading, it has 40 questions with a similar purpose. This section requires the candidates to read and extracts from magazines, books, notices, newspapers, guidelines, company handbooks, and advertisements. 60 Minutes
Academic Writing This section includes two tasks. Topics included in this section are of general interest and suitable for candidates entering undergraduate and postgraduate courses/programs or looking for professional registration. 60 Minutes
General Training Writing This section also includes two different tasks. And these tasks have topics of general interest. 60 Minutes
  1. What is the scoring format?

The scores given in the IELTS exam are between 0 and 9. A candidate will get a score which is called a band score for every section of the test. Since every section is different, the score for each section is calculated separately. However, the 4 band scores will be averaged to give your overall score.

  1. What is the process of registering for the IELTS?

After getting an idea about IELTS, you can register for this test, you will need to follow the steps given below:

  • Step 1: There are over 1,600 IELTS test locations in more than 140 countries. Hence, first and foremost, you need to find a center nearby to you.
  • Step 2: Now, register for the test and pay the fee online. You can also download the application form. Fill out all the details requested and submit it to your local center. Do not forget to submit the valid ID proof along with the form. You will need to present the same ID proof on the day of the test as well.
  • Step 3: Your center will send a written confirmation for the time and the date of the test once your application is processed. The writing and speaking tests take place on the same day. If not, then within 7 days.

Conclusion

Looking for assistance for the IELTS test? If yes, then IELTSIFY is your partner. We operate under the aegis of AEC to help students achieve their dreams. To know more about IELTS, get in touch with us on +91-8448446609 or 011-43334444. You can also write your queries to us at [email protected].

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