IELTS INTRODUCTION

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) measures the language proficiency of people who want to study or work where English is used as a language of communication. It uses a nine-band scale to clearly identify levels of proficiency, from non-user (band score 1) through to expert (band score 9).

IELTS ACADEMIC OR IELTS GENERAL TRAINING

IELTS is available in: Academic – for people applying for higher education or professional registration, and General Training for those migrating to Australia, Canada and the UK, or applying for secondary education, training programmes and work experience in an English-speaking environment. Both versions provide a valid and accurate assessment of the four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

IELTS FOR MIGRATION

Accepted for Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK

IELTS is accepted as evidence of English language proficiency for study, work and migration in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK, as well as for study and work in the USA.

IELTS FOR STUDY

Accepted as evidence of English proficiency by 10,000 institutions

An IELTS certificate is recognised as evidence of proficiency in English by more than 10,000 education and training providers worldwide. Some universities in non-English speaking countries require an IELTS score, where courses are taught in English.

IELTS ACADEMIC

The IELTS Academic test is suitable for entry to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and also for professional registration purposes. It assesses whether you are ready to begin studying or training in an environment where English language is used, and reflects some of the features of language used in academic study.

IELTS GENERAL TRAINING

This IELTS test is suitable for those applying to train or study at below degree level, as well as those wishing to migrate to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. The test focuses on basic survival skills in broad social and workplace contexts.

IELTS FOR WORK

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION

In most countries where English is the main language of communication, evidence of acceptable English language skills is a prerequisite for applicants and international graduates seeking professional registration. Required proficiency levels vary between organizations, professions, by country and by jurisdiction. It is up to individual professional registration bodies to determine the IELTS band score and version of the test (Academic or General Training) they require.

IELTS FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING

The General Training version of IELTS measures English language proficiency in a practical, everyday context and the tasks and texts reflect both workplace and social situations. This is the version of the test usually required for vocational training, for example in the construction, hospitality and leisure, and tourism industries.

WHICH TEST IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Most people will take the IELTS Academic test to support their study and application to study overseas -but it is important to check the entry requirements of individual organisations before choosing your test.

Students can nominate up to five organisations to which their IELTS test results will be sent automatically and free of charge. There is a fee for sending results to additional organisations. You can request your centre to send your results as long as your IELTS scores are valid.

IELTS ON PAPER OR COMPUTER

IELTS CAN BE TAKEN ON PAPER OR COMPUTER

PAPER-BASED IELTS

This test requires test takers to sit at a desk with the question papers and answer sheets for the Reading, Listening and Writing tests in an official IELTS test centre. Test takers will write their answers in either pen or HB-pencils. The Speaking test is carried out face-to-face with a trained IELTS examiner.

COMPUTER-DELIVERED IELTS

This test requires test takers to sit the Reading, Listening and Writing tests in front of a computer with the questions presented on the screen in an official IELTS test centre. The test takers then submit their answers through the use of a keyboard and a mouse. The Speaking test is not on computer and is carried out face-to-face with a trained IELTS examiner.

TEST FORMAT

The IELTS test assesses your abilities in listening, reading, writing and speaking – in less than three hours.

There are two types of IELTS:  Academic and General Training. Listening and Speaking are the same for both tests, but the subject matter of the Reading and Writing sections differs depending on which test you take.

The Listening, Reading and Writing sections of all IELTS tests are completed on the same day, with no breaks in between them.

The Speaking section, however, can be completed up to a week before or after the other tests. Your test centre will advise.

The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

HOW IELTS IS SCORED

IELTS results are reported on a 9-band scale

IELTS results are designed to be simple and easy to understand. They are reported as band scores on a scale from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest).

The IELTS scale

The individual scores from Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, are then averaged and rounded to produce an overall band score.

IELTS RESULTS VALIDITY PERIOD

While it is up to each organisation to set a validity period that works for their purposes, the IELTS partners recommend a 2-year validity period for IELTS test results based upon the well-documented phenomenon of second language loss or ‘attrition’.

Culled from ielts.org

For further information and assistance in registering and tutorials for IELTS kindly visit us at 206 Muri Okunola Street, off Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Or Email: info@wikitripstnt.com  / study@wikitripstnt.com Or Call us From Monday to Friday, 9:00 – 17:00, on: (234) 014532523, (234) 07056578755, (234) 08168489751.