IELTS?
What is IELTS?
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is designed to help you work, study or migrate to a country where English is the native language. This includes countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA.
Intended for non-native speakers who are looking to study or work in an English-speaking environment, IELTS training is an internationally recognised system for testing English language ability in four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
IELTS Test Types
There are two different types of IELTS test and once graded, your IELTS score is valid for two years.
Academic IELTS is for international students who wish to study in English speaking countries or join an institute of higher education.
General IELTS classes focus on English survival skills and social and workplace language, ideal for those who are planning to migrate to English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
IELTS Test Format
IELTS is a test of all four language skills – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. You will take the Listening, Reading, and Writing tests all on the same day one after the other, with no breaks in between. For the Speaking test, you can book a slot online on your preferred date and time. If you fail to choose a slot within the stipulated time, a slot will be automatically allocated to you. The total test time is under three hours.
| IELTS Listening test (30 minutes) | You will have to listen to four recordings and then answer the questions asked. The recordings are of native English speakers and the duration of the test is 30 minutes. |
| IELTS Reading test (60 minutes) |
The IELTS Reading test requires you to answer 40 questions and is designed to test you on an array of reading skills. You would have to read for gist, main ideas, details, logical arguments, skimming, and figuring out the writers’ attitudes, opinions and intentions. |
| IELTS Writing test (60 minutes) | The IELTS writing test requires you to complete two tasks and covers topics of general interest based on the module you are taking. |
| IELTS Speaking Test (11-14 minutes) | The IELTS Speaking test assesses your spoken English skills. The test is recorded and conducted in three parts. |
IELTS test dates for offline & online
The IELTS test is conducted by IDP and test dates in India are available four times a month or 48 times a year (for paper-based) and are generally held on Saturdays and Thursdays to provide flexibility and convenience to the test seekers. If you opt for computer-delivered IELTS, you can choose from multiple dates and time slots and get your results within 3-5 days. However, the availability of the IELTS dates may differ as per the test type and module you have opted for – Academic or General Training.
IELTS Test Fee: 14,700 (INR)
IELTS 9-Band Scale
Students will be given a score of 1-9 for each part of the test. Your average score produces an overall IELTS band score, and you can be graded on whole or half points.
| Score | Skill | Skill Overview |
| Band 9 | Expert user | Fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding. |
| Band 8 | Very good user | Fully operational command of the language with only occasional inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well. |
| Band 7 | Good user | Operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning. |
| Band 6 | Competent user | Generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. |
| Band 5 | Modest user | Partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field. |
| Band 4 | Limited user | Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language. |
| Band 3 | Extremely limited user | Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur. |
| Band 2 | Intermittent user | No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
| Band 1 | Non-user | Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words. |
| Band 0 | Did not attempt the test | No assessable information provided. Did not take the test. |
