IELTS
WHAT IS IELTS?
IELTS is International English Language Testing System. It is conducted by two institutions, namely, the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge English Language Assessment [University of Cambridge]. This test evaluates your English on the basis of receptive and productive skills. The receptive skills are listening and reading and the productive skills are writing and speaking.
ACADEMIC & GENERAL TRAINING
There are two categories of IELTS – Academic and General Training.
Academic IELTS has to be taken by people who are planning to move to English-speaking countries for the purpose of higher studies. The academic reading and writing tests assess whether a candidate is ready to study or train in the medium of English at an undergraduate or postgraduate course based on the results of these tests.
IELTS general test is preferred by people who are moving to English-speaking countries for the purpose of PR or jobs. The general training reading and writing tests are not designed to test the full range of formal language skills required for academic purposes but emphasize basic survival skills in an abroad social and educational context.
ACADEMIC
IELTS Academic is divided into four sections:
Listening: Listening is your first test, which going to be for 30 mins and 10 mins are given extra for transferring answers to the answers sheet.
Reading: The test is 60 mins, in which students are tested on reading passages with tasks, text from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical, diagrams, graphs, and text from books, journals, and newspapers.
Writing: This test is 60 mins, which comprises of writing task of 150 words, describing tables, graphs, charts, and diagrams, and a short essay of 250 words.
Speaking: Speaking test is 11 to 14 mins. In this test, candidates are put through face-to-face interviews, short questions, speaking on a familiar topic, and a discussion.
GENERAL
IELTS Academic is divided into four sections:
Listening: Listening is your first test, which going to be for 30 mins and 10 mins are given extra for transferring answers to answers sheet.
Reading: The duration of this test is 60 mins, in which three reading passages with tasks will be given. Section 1 and 2 will be based on two or three short factual texts and section 3 will be based on one long text on general topic.
Writing: This test is of 60 mins, in which candidates will be asked to write a letter of 150 words and short essay of 250 words.
Speaking: Speaking test is of 11 to 14 mins. In this test, candidates are put through face to face interview, short questions, speaking on a familiar topic and a discussion.
THE TEST FORMAT
The first three tests – listening, reading and writing must be completed in one day without any break. The speaking test may be taken, either on the same day or in the span of seven days before or after the listening, reading, and writing test.