What is IELTS ?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is designed by the Cambridge University and jointly managed by International Development Program (IDP) and British Council (BC). IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the world’s most popular English language test. More than 3 million IELTS tests are taken each year. The IELTS tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication that are speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

PURPOSE:

• IELTS is the most unbiased and trustworthy English proficiency test available for the purposes of study, work and immigration.
• Most academic institutions in English-speaking countries, like, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and an increasing number of educational institutions in the United States, accept IELTS for study as well immigration purpose.
• For work purposes, many professional organisations recognise IELTS as the standard test, even known as Work Visa.
• For migration, IELTS is required or accepted for permanent residency by the governments of the Australia and Canada.

VERSIONS:

There are two versions of the IELTS test: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. The purpose of both tests is different and the one you take will depend on the requirements of the academic institution you plan to study in, your work/professional or visa requirements.

Make sure you know which test you need before you book.
What do you want to do? The version you need:

How are the exams the same/different?

Both the Academic and General Training exam have four parts namely
Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.

Listening

The total time for the Listening module is 30 minutes; an additional time of 10 minutes is given for transferring the answers to the answer sheet, for both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training exams.
There are four recorded listening sections on both exams.

Speaking

For both exams, there is a face-to-face interview with a certified IELTS Speaking Examiner.
The Speaking module is of 10-15 minutes for both the IELTS Academic and General Training exam.
The Speaking module includes short questions and longer questions where the candidate speaks about a familiar topic. There is also a structured discussion.

Reading

The Reading portion is 60 minutes long for both the IELTS Academic and General Training exams.
For both exams, there are three readings with questions about each reading.
For the IELTS Academic exam, there are a variety of texts to read, such as descriptive, factual, and analytical. The reading module also includes diagrams, graphs or illustrations.
There are three sections on reading part of the General Training exam. In the first section, there are two or three short texts. In the second section, there are two short, work-related texts. In the final section, there is one long text about a general interest topic.
For both the Academic and General Training exam, the texts are legitimate; texts come from books, newspapers, journals, etc. (for the Academic exam), and books, newspapers, company handbooks, etc. (for the General Training exam).

Writing

The Writing section is 60 minutes for both the IELTS Academic and General Training exams.
Each includes two tasks: Task 1 is a minimum 150 words and Task 2 is a minimum 250 words.
For the IELTS Academic exam, Task 1 is writing about a table, graph, chart or diagram. Task 2 is an essay.
For the General Training exam, Task 1 is writing a letter, and Task 2 is an essay.

Why IELTS ?

Students aspiring to study in the topmost universities and colleges of the English-speaking world need to clear an English language proficiency test. Non-native speakers of English have to show that they can read, write, speak, and understand English, so as to be able to follow lectures, study, take exams, and interact comfortably with fellow students, teachers and the local population. For this purpose as well as for the purpose of immigration (Permanent Residency), a standardised English language proficiency test for non-native English speakers has been established as a pre-requisite for the selection process. IELTS is the world’s most popular English language proficiency test and a world of opportunity awaits those who clear the required scores.

How are bands alotted ?

Candidates are judged on a band scale of 1 to 9 in each part of the test. These bands clearly mention a candidate’s ability to use and understand English. IELTS results are valid only for 2 years. There is no pass or fail system in IELTS test.

You have a full operational command of the language. Your use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, and you show complete understanding.

You have a fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. You may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. You handle complex detailed argumentation well.

You have an operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally you handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning.

Generally you have an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings. You can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

You have a partial command of the language, and cope with overall meaning in most situations, although you are likely to make many mistakes. You should be able to handle basic communication in your own field.

Your basic competence is limited to familiar situations. You frequently show problems in understanding and expression. You are not able to use complex language.

You convey and understand only general meaning in very familiar situations. There are frequent breakdowns in communication.

You have great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.

You have no ability to use the language except a few isolated words.

You did not answer the questions.

General Information about IELTS

IELTS Score Validity:

IELTS Score is valid for 2 years

IELTS Registration Mode:

Register for IELTS Online or at GM Language Hub (Call +91 84377 84370)

Mode of payment to register for IELTS Exam:

Credit card / Voucher (cash)

IELTS Exam Test Fee (Standard):

Rs. 12,650/-

IELTS Result:

IELTS Result is received online in 13 days approx. of the test date and TRF is received after 1-2 weeks after online result is received

Nature of IELTS Test:

IELTS is a Paper based test, nowadays computer based IELTS test is also available.

IELTS Official Websites:

www.ieltsidpindia.com

www.britishcouncil.in

https://www.ielts.org

IELTS Test Rescheduling Fee:

Rs. ****/-

IELTS Cancellation and Refund:

50% of IELTS test fee is refunded if cancellation is done at least one week prior to the test date. If cancelled within one week, no refund amount is available

Test Administration Frequency:

On fixed date

Test Repetition Policy:

Next available date

IELTS Extra Score Reporting Fee:

No fee. It’s FREE!

IELTS Score:

IELTS is rated as bands ranging from 0 to 9.0 with 0.5 band interval

Bands calculation can be done through the Band Calculator here.