IELTS TEST INFORMATION
What is IELTS?
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It is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who needs to study or work where English is used as the language of communication.
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Universities and employers including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and USA recognize it.
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There are 2 types of IELTS, Academic and General Training. It is the responsibility of the test taker to know which type of exam to take.
IELTS Test Format
Listening - 40 Items/4 Parts - 30 to 40 Minutes
Reading - 40 Items/3 Sections - 60 Minutes
Writing - 2 Tasks of 150 and 250 words - 60 Minutes
Speaking - 11 to 14 Minutes
LISTENING
The Listening is recorded on a tape and is PLAYED ONCE ONLY. It has 4 parts with 10 questions each. During the test, time is given for the test takers to read the questions and write down and check their answers. A range of accents and dialects are used in the recording which reflects the international usage of IELTS. For the paper-based test, at the end of the recording, 10 minutes are allowed for test takers to transfer their answers to an Answer Sheet.
READING
The Reading section has 40 questions. Test takers are given 60 minutes to answer and transfer their answers to an Answer Sheet. No extra time will be given for transfer.
TYPES OF QUESTIONS
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Sentence Completion
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Notes/Table /Flow Chart Completion
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Short Answer Questions
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Labeling a Diagram
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True/False/Not Given
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Multiple Choice
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Matching
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Finding Information
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Paragraph Headings
WRITING
There are 2 Writing tasks. Test takers are given 60 minutes to answer both tasks.
ACADEMIC
Task 1 - A report based on some graphic information provided on the question. The graphic information come in one of five forms - a line graph, bar graph, table, pie chart, or a diagram illustrating a process. You are require to describe the information or the process in a report of 150 words.
Task 2 - A formal discussion essay. This task requires you to present arguments in a clear and well-organised way. You have to write 250 words.
GENERAL TRAINING
Task 1 - Test takers are asked to respond to a given problem with a letter requesting information or explaining a situation. Test takers are required to write 150 words on this task.
Task 2 - A formal discussion essay. This task requires you to present arguments in a clear and well-organised way. You have to write 250 words.
SPEAKING
The Speaking exam takes between 11 to 15 minutes and consists of an oral interview between the candidate and the examiner. There are 3 parts of the test and it is recorded.