Did you know, that Ethnologue, a language reference publication, cited that English is the most widely spoken language in the world?
Around 1.4+ billion people speak English, and it is the default language for many industries, international business, technology, and much more.
We can safely say that English can’t lose its importance in the future.
This is the reason many English-speaking countries often require foreign students and aspiring professionals to prove their proficiency in English.
For those who want to prove their proficiency in English, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the most recognised tests used worldwide.
If you are preparing for higher education or planning to work abroad, a wide range of courses are present that can support you in IELTS exam preparation.
In this article, we explain what IELTS is, the purpose of the IELTS, and the test format.
What is IELTS?
The International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) examination is a widely used English language proficiency exam for higher education and global migration.
According to British Council, IELTS is trusted by more than 12,000 organisations in over 140 countries around the world.
Today, over 3.5 million people across more than 140 countries take the IELTS each year.
IELTS exams are designed in such a way that they can help you show that you can use your English skills in real-life situations – be it for higher education, employment, or everyday life.
How is the IELTS score calculated?
All IELTS scores are between 0 and 9. You get an overall score based on the average of the four sections-Listening Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
What is the format of IELTS?
There are two modules in IELTS.
- IELTS Academic: Required to get admission at a college or university.
- IELTS General Training: Required for immigration, especially to English-speaking countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada.
The IELTS test assesses your proficiency in four main areas:
- Listening
The listening part contains four sections with 40 questions. You will listen to four recordings of native English speakers.
You will get 30 minutes to finish the section. Plus, an extra 10 minutes to transfer your answers to your answer sheet.
- Reading
This section consists of three tasks with 40 questions.
You may need to read three passages and answer questions about them. The question format can be different for both academic and general training.
This section will analyse your ability to pick the main idea and details out of a text. You need to prove how good your understanding of implied meanings and opinions is.
60 minutes is the duration including time to transfer the answers to the answer sheet.
- Writing
Comprises of two tasks. This section examines how well you can organise ideas and write them. This is mainly to assess your vocabulary and grammar.
The total duration is 60 minutes. You can spend 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2.
- Speaking
The speaking section will examine how well you can communicate in English. A certified examiner asks you questions like a real-life conversation.
In this section, you must communicate ideas and opinions, use appropriate language and grammar, and express and analyse your opinions.
The duration is 11-14 minutes and has three parts.
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Who can take the IELTS test?
Anyone over the age of 16, looking for work or study can take the IELTS test.
Enroll in an IELTS preparation course today!
