What is IELTS?
| FAQs on IELTS
What is IELTS?
The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS,
as it is popularly called, is an English Language
proficiency test that is required to be taken by non-native
students so as to study in countries where the medium of
instruction is English. IELTS is accepted by Universities in
UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. It has become a
mandatory test for study in Australia. One cannot be granted
an Australian Student Visa without an IELTS Score. All other
study destinations require one to appear for either the
TOEFL or the IELTS.
The IELTS tests all four language skills that are important
for effective communication: speaking, listening, reading,
and writing. The structure of the IELTS is as follows:
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Reading (60 minutes) (Scoring scale: 0-9 bands)
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Reading has 3 passages and 40 items (questions).
Each item is worth one mark. |
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Writing (60 minutes) (Scoring scale: 0-9 bands)
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It consists of 2 tasks (Writing Task 1 and Writing
Task 2) and candidates must answer BOTH tasks. |
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Listening (40 minutes) (Scoring scale: 0-9 bands)
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IELTS Listening has four sections, each with 10
items (or questions). Each item is worth one mark. |
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Speaking (11-14 minutes) (Scoring scale: 0-9 bands)
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IELTS Speaking is a one-to-one interaction between
the candidate and an examiner |
For
detailed information about TOEFL, please refer the official
website of TOEFL – www.ielts.org
FAQs
on IELTS
Q1. How do I register for the IELTS?
Q2. How many times in a year is IELTS exam held?
Q3. How many times can I take IELTS?
Q4. What is the validity of the IELTS exam?
Q5. What is the scoring pattern?
Q6. How soon do I get my score?
Q7. How do I pass on my score to the colleges where I want to apply to?
Q8. If I take IELTS more than once, which score will be
considered by the universities?
Q9. Do I need to have the IELTS score at the time of applying to
universities?
Q10. Do US schools accept IELTS score?
Q1. How do I register
for IELTS?
Ans. You can register online or in person at IDP or
British Council. The detailed information about registering
for the IELTS can be found at www.idp.org and www.britishcouncil.org
Q2. How many times in
a year is IELTS exam held?
Ans. IELTS is offered on specific days of the year. One
can access the whole schedule which can vary depending on
the country by following the given link www.ielts.org
Q3. How many times can
I take IELTS?
Ans. IELTS can be taken unlimited number of times.(It is
highly advisable not to appear for IELTS too many times as
it may affect the applicant’s candidature).
Q4. What is the
validity of the IELTS exam?
Ans. Your IELTS score will be valid for 2 years after from
the date the test was taken
Q5. What is the
scoring pattern?
Ans. Scoring is between 0 (Minimum) and 9 (Maximum) with
0.5 band increment. Four scores are reported on the IELTS:
- Reading score reported on a 0-9 band scale, with 0.5 band increment
- Listening score reported on a 0-9 band scale, with 0.5 band increment
- Writing score reported on a 0-9 band scale, with 0.5 band increment
- Speaking score reported on a 0-9 band scale, with 0.5 band increment
Q6. How soon do I get
my score?
Ans. The scores are available 13 days after the exam date.
Q7. How do I pass on
my score to the colleges where I want to apply to?
Ans. You may request for additional Test Report Form (TRF) to be dispatched directly by the test center to the recognizing institution / body. There is NO CHARGE for the additional TRF, but the candidate will have to pay additional dispatch charge if the candidate wishes to order dispatch by Courier.
Q8. If I take IELTS
more than once, which score will be considered by the
universities?
Ans. Almost all the universities take the best score.
Q9. Do I need to have
the IELTS score at the time of applying to universities?
Ans. No, you do not need to have the IELTS score with you
at the time of applying.
Q10. Do US schools
accept IELTS score?
Ans. US schools have started accepting IELTS score. More
than 550 US schools accept IELTS score. The complete list of
US schools accepting IELTS is available at http://www.ielts.org/usa/USA_Recognition_List.pdf
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