IELTS
IELTS | English Language Exam Coaching
What is IELTS?
The English Proficiency Test Battery (EPTB) was introduced in the year 1963 but the test was taken by the student in the year 1965.
The joint development for this assessment introduced by the University of Birmingham and the British Council. This EPBT test was focused on listening and reading skills with 3 tests, which comprises with reading speed, reading comprehension, and listening comprehension but this test didn’t include speaking and writing test, which was a big drawback.
The creators of EPTB, they thought that innovative evaluations of listening and reading will make up for this weakness. This EPTB test remained in existence in the year 1980.
In the year 1980, ELTS(English Language Testing Service) which was then known as IELTS(International English Language Testing System) launched. Test-taking candidate numbers were very low in the year 1980-1985, there was a slow rise in numbers.
The joint development for this assessment introduced by the University of Birmingham and the British Council. This EPBT test was focused on listening and reading skills with 3 tests, which comprises with reading speed, reading comprehension, and listening comprehension but this test didn’t include speaking and writing test, which was a big drawback.
The creators of EPTB, they thought that innovative evaluations of listening and reading will make up for this weakness. This EPTB test remained in existence in the year 1980. In the year 1980, ELTS(English Language Testing Service) which was then known as IELTS(International English Language Testing System) launched. Test-taking candidate numbers were very low in the year 1980-1985, there was a slow rise in numbers.
Then the ELTS revision project was set up and in order to have International participation, redesign of the test took place. The co-founder and administrators were the Cambridge English Language Assessment, the British Council and the International Development Program of Australian colleges and universities.
IELTS was revised in the year 1995, Academic and General exam, which were 1 Academic Reading module, 1 Academic Writing module for students and for professionals general Training which also includes reading and writing modules.
Annually the rise of candidates was increased, 210 test centers available worldwide and candidates appeared for the IELTS exam and number was each year 43,000.
The IELTS test comprises 4 modules, Listening, Reading, Writing and Listening for both Academic and General.
The Speaking test scheduling was a difficult challenge, after completing 3 modules in 1 day and conducting speaking on another day solved this problem.
In the year 2001, the Speaking section includes a smaller number of tasks, scripts and scoring criteria were integrated into the speaking paper.
In 2005 the writing section was updated and includes 4 areas of evaluation including Listening and Reading.
In the 21st century now IELTS was taken by more than 2,50,000 in over 140 countries, 1,100 test centers and widely accepted by educational institutes worldwide. Below are the bands:
What is IELTS: (IELTS) INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING SYSTEM is an English language proficiency test for Non-Native speakers, this test for students who want to pursue higher studies from a different country, for professionals who want to get a job in an English-speaking environment and for migrants to immigrate.
Types of Tests: Academic is for those who want to study in colleges/universities and other higher educational institutes.
Purpose: General is for Immigration purpose or for work experience those who want to work in an English speaking country.
IELTS exam assessed on the following elements:
Listening: 30 min + 10 min to transfer the answer to the answer sheet.
Reading: 60 min.
Writing: 60 min.
Speaking: 15 – 20 min.
The test is form 2 days 1st day will be Listening, Reading & Writing and the other day will be Speaking test. There are 2 types of test 1 is Paper-based and another one is computer based.
Paper Based IELTS:
Listening: 30 min + 10 min to transfer the answer to the answer sheet.
Test Format- Listening (30 min + 10 min to transfer the answer to the answer sheet)
Detailed of the Test is below:
- This test consists of 4 sections, each with 10 questions. The first 2 sections are concerned with social needs. The 1st section is a conversation between 2 speakers and the 2 section is a monologue. The final 2 sections are concerned with situations related to educational or training contexts. The 3rd section is a conversation between up to 4 people and the 4th section is a monologue.
- Many different types of questions are being used in this test, including- matching, multiple choice, sentence completion plan/map/diagram labeling, note completion, table completion, flow-chart, summary, and short answer questions.
- Test takers will hear the recording once only and answer the questions as they listen. 10 minutes are allowed at the end, so the candidates can transfer their answers to the answer sheet.
Academic Reading: (60 min)
Detailed of the Test is below:
- In the Academic writing test, there is 3 section with 40 questions. There are 3 texts, which are taken from newspapers, magazines, journals, and books. The texts topics are mostly general interest and 1 logical argument.
- Type of different variety questions is used which including short-answer questions, flow-chart, tables, notes, matching headings, matching sentence endings, matching information, multiple choice, identifying writer’s views in (Yes/No/Not Given).
Academic Writing: (60 min)
Detailed of the Test is below:
- In this Test, there is 2 task, Task-1, and Task-2, which suggested that candidates must spend 20 minutes in Task-1 and spend 40 minutes in Task-2. In task-1 candidates need to write at least 150 words and in Task-2 require 250 words.
- In Task-1, candidate’s gets mostly get some data or a diagram (chart, table or bar graph) and need to write 150 words in their own words.
- InTask-2, candidates must present their point of view, either they agree or disagree. Topics are mostly related to world situation it may be related to nature, infrastructure or social life. This task needs to complete in 250 words.
General Training Writing: (60 min)
Detailed of the Test is below:
- Only the difference in General Training writing is the Task-1, which mostly drafting a letter, it may formal, semi-formal or informal letter. Task-1 and Task-2, which suggested that candidates must spend 20 minutes in Task-1 and spend 40 minutes in Task-2. In task-1 candidates need to write at least 150 words and in Task-2 require 250 words.
- In Task-1, candidate’s gets mostly get some data or a diagram (chart, table or bar graph) and need to write 150 words in their own words.
- InTask-2, candidates must present their point of view, either they agree or disagree. Topics are mostly related to world situation it may be related to nature, infrastructure or social life. This task needs to complete in 250 words.
General Training Reading: (60 min)
Detailed of the Test is below:
- In the Academic writing test, there is 3 section with 40 questions. There are 3 texts, which are taken from newspapers, magazines, journals, and books. The texts topics are mostly general interest and 1 logical argument.
- Type of different variety questions is used which including short-answer questions, flow-chart, tables, notes, matching headings, matching sentence endings, matching information, multiple choice, identifying writer’s views in (Yes/No/Not Given).
Speaking: (11-14 min)
Detailed of the Test is below:
The Speaking test takes 11-14 minutes and it is taken by the certified well-trained examiner.
There are 3 parts in this test:
Part 1: General introduction between the candidate and the examiner, candidates conversate about their family, their studies or job, their hobbies and interest which lasts for 4-5 min.
Part 2: Candidate will get a card, in which he/she needs to speak about a particular topic. Candidates will get a minute to prepare their points or notes on a piece of paper after that the examiner will ask questions related to the topic. The examiner will record the conversation for 2 min and inform the candidate to stop. The examiner will move to the next part.
Part 3: Both the candidate and the Examiner will be engaged and discussing the given topic related questions. This speaking test assessment takes into grammatical range, fluency, pronunciation and lexical resource. The results will be available after 13 working days.
Computer-Based IELTS:
In 2016 IELTS introduced delivered on the computer in 20 countries for test who requires a UK visa.
At present introduction of IELTS Academic and General Training testing on the computer is more widely used to provide more options to candidates and stakeholders, while retaining all of the test’s current security, trust, and integrity.
For computer-delivered IELTS there are more test dates available, candidates can choose IELTS as per their convenience, and they will receive their results in 5 to 7 working days.
The Test Report Form, content, timing and structure of the test is the same whether the test on paper or on the computer and the Speaking test is always face-to-face with a certified IELTS Examiner as the day scheduled.
If someone chooses to take computer-based IELTS, they will take the Listening, Reading and Writing test using a computer. All aspects of the computer-based test are identical to paper-based IELTS, including:
Computer-Based IELTS:
- Content
- Timings.
- Marking.
In the computer-based Listening test, the timings are slightly different from the paper-based test. This is because the paper-based test requires examiners to transfer answers to an answer sheet. This step becomes appropriate to use when answering directly on a computer. Before the start of each part of the Listening test, the candidate will have some time to read the questions. After the end of each part of the Listening test candidate will have some time to review their answers. At the end of the Listening test, will get 2 minutes to check their answers. The Listening test timing is between 30 – 34 minutes. There are more about the format of the IELTS test here.
What you need to know about computer delivered IELTS?
- Test Takers brochure.
- Recognizing Organisations brochure.
- Frequently asked questions for test takers & for Recognizing Organisations
It is very important that the candidate choose the right option so that the candidate can feel comfortable and confident when taking the test. Test Takers need to decide whether they prefer to read the texts and write the answers on a computer, or on paper.
This test is designed to reflect the language spoken in every day in an English-speaking country like the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, United States of America, New Zealand and even covers variations such as British, Australian and American English.
Candidates can take IELTS in more than 140 countries and in over 1,200 locations around the world.
Every year up to 48 test dates available. 4 times in a month each test center offers for tests. The Academic IELTS is available on all 48 dates per year and the General Training IELTS is available on 24 dates.
Before used to be a minimum time limit of 90 days before which a person was not allowed to retake the test. However, this restriction has been taken off and currently there is no restrictions for applicants to retake the test. Once the test has taken, the result will be available 13 working days.