The ultimate guide to IELTS

IELTS is an exam well-known to every individual who is seeking higher education or job opportunities abroad. While you will spot IELTS exam test score requirements in the eligible criteria of most universities and organizations in English-speaking countries, educational institutes and colleges from various other countries also mention this as a must-have.

Are you planning to hone your language skills like never before? Before you do, there’s a list of things to know about this exam (including IELTS full form)! Keep reading.

What is an IELTS exam?

IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System. It is an English language exam organised by the British Council, IDP Education Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment. Introduced in 1989, the exam helps determine a student’s level of proficiency in English on a band score that ranges from 1 to 9.

IELTS is an exam that is required and considered majorly in English speaking countries such as the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Most universities and organisations in these countries as well as several other countries include IELTS score in their entrance prerequisites. While it is popular among both the students and professionals seeking to study or work in a foreign country, many individuals who are planning to live abroad write this exam, too.

The popularity of this exam has burgeoned significantly with time. The drive to study internationally, work in international organisations and even obtain citizenship in an English speaking country has induced a notable rise in the number of individuals participating in IELTS.

The IELTS exam is curated in a way that serves as a determining factor for an individual’s proficiency in English across different fields, from educational institutions to employers in a variety of sectors. The test is not only a demonstration of knowledge in English but also a skill to apply it in different scenarios. Thus, it encompasses the real-world applications in everyday life, education as well as professional realms.

Types of IELTS Exam

Before you sign up for an IDP IELTS test syllabus, you must understand the difference between the types of IELTS exams: Academic and General.

Academic

Individuals seeking admission for higher studies in any country where English is the first language should opt for IELTS Academic. This test is organised to determine the ability of an applicant to learn or train in English. Countries like the UK, the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand accept IELTS for academics.

General

Candidates who want to work, enroll in training programmes or obtain citizenship in countries such as the UK, the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, are required to write the General IELTS exam. This type of IELTS is organised to determine an individual’s language skills in professional and everyday context.

How to Register for the IELTS exam?

Once you’re ready to take the test, one thing you need to do other than preparing yourself is make the IELTS test booking online. You can either opt for IELTS online test registration or search and visit the nearest IDP branch for offline registration.

Follow the steps mentioned below to book the IELTS IDP test online:

Step 1: IDP IELTS Registration

Visit the official IELTS India website and expand the menu provided at the top. Now, click on the “Register for IELTS” option.

Step 2: Select Prefered Test

After clicking on the registration option, you will find different test options on the list (such as, IELTS Life Skills or IELTS for UKVI). Click on the one that you’d like to take.

Step 3: Select Test Module

Click on the type of test: Academic IELTS or General Training, A1 and B1 for Life Skills, IELTS for UKVI.

Step 4: Select Test City

In the last field, you need to select your preferred test location from the drop-down list.

Step 5: IELTS Date Booking

After registration, book your preferred IELTS test slot by choosing from the dates available.

Step 6: Complete Registration Process

Fill out the form with required details (name, date of birth, passport ID, etc.) to complete your IELTS online application. Click on “Proceed” to submit.

Step 7: Pay IELTS Exam Fee

In the final step, you need to pay the IELTS exam fee. The fee for the exam varies depending on the type of test you’re applying for.

After you’ve booked your exam date, an acknowledgment email or SMS will be sent to your registered email address/ phone number. If you wish to make the IELTS test registration offline, you can visit the nearest IDP IELTS branch with required documents: Passport copy and observation pages (if any).

IELTS test structure, subjects and band distribution

IELTS test score is measured on a band of 1 to 9 to easily determine the proficiency level of an individual. The IELTS syllabus is divided into four tests: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Each test has a score and the scores of all of these tests are rounded up to produce an overall IELTS score.

IELTS Band Score Distribution

IELTS Listening

The IELTS Listening test comprises 40 questions. Each question has one mark for the correct answer. The score obtained by the candidate is converted to the score band.

IELTS Reading

The Reading IELTS test consists of 40 questions. Each question is awarded with one mark if the answer is correct. The score is then converted to the band score. The test is divided into two parts: academic and general.

IELTS Speaking

This test has 3 parts with each being designated with a timer. In the first part that lasts for about 5 minutes, the examiner asks general questions. In the second part, you have to speak on a particular topic. The third part of the test requires you to discuss the same topic.

The band score in IELTS speaking is determined by the following criteria:

• Fluency and coherence

• Grammatical range

• Pronunciation

• Lexical resource

IELTS Writing

The IELTS Writing test consists of 2 different tasks in the academic and general training writing tests. In the first task, you have to write a letter explaining the situation presented to you after thoroughly analysing it. In the second and the last one, you have to write an essay in response to a point of view or a problem. Each task has an individual score on the band.

The band score in IELTS writing is determined by the following criteria:

• Fluency and coherence

• Grammatical range

• Pronunciation

• Lexical resource

IELTS preparation resources & Tips

To start off with your exam preparation, you will need a book (more, in fact) to learn and practice the essential language skills. It seems easier said than done as there’s a library of IELTS test prep materials offering help. We have listed down the top IELTS books that cover both the basic and complex concepts to shape your learning for good.

1. The Official Cambridge IELTS Guide

The Official Cambridge IELTS Guide is an all-encompassing guide to general and academic training. When you’re commencing your journey to learning all about this test, count on this handy guide to show you the path forward. The book discusses great tips, and guides you based on real-world examples. Here are the highlights of this guide to IELTS:

• Learn all about the format and different sections of the test

• Prepare yourself for the exam with 8 different practice tests

• Hone your skills one by one based on the type of exams

• Use MP3 learning files to practice the test more effectively

2. Barron’s IELTS Superpack

Learn different strategies and use amazing hacks that Barron’s IELTS Superpack has to offer. Be it academic and a professional purpose, this book will prepare you for everything with its comprehensive approach to learning. The book includes:

• Essential vocabulary used in IELTS

• Practice exams, formatting, and section-wise learning

• Handy tips for each section along with an overview the testing system

3. Simone Braverman’s Target Band 7

This book is great for those looking for a guide on strategies and problem-solving techniques. The book is easy to carry and quick alongside being the answer to your questions. What makes it even better is its demonstration real-world experience which reflects on the problems that might occur during the exam and the tips to overcome them. Here’s how this book will help you:

• An easygoing guide for fast learning

• Straightforward and simple

• Uses real experiences to discuss unprecedented challenges during the test

4. Cambridge IELTS Academic Student’s Book with Answers

Want to practice tests before you appear for the final day? Get your hands on Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Student’s Book with Answers. This book is your Bible of the sample tests that you will come to attempt. It follows the same structure and the type of questions as IELTS. This book get you to develop confidence about the test by offering:

• 4 different tests with an eye for detail

• Sample answer sheets

• Exam techniques and explanations

5. Check Your English Vocabulary for IELTS

Your IELTS exam prep guide will be incomplete without a bunch of words that are too important not to learn. Apart from the test guide, you can get a book dedicated to the words and phrases that are used in IELTS. This book is one of the best in the league. It offers:

• Vocabulary guide for general and academic tests

• Endless number of words to practice

• Vocabulary, spelling and grammar tests to enhance preparation

IELTS Exam Online

Generally, you have to travel to attempt the test. There’s no harm to it nor does it affect your preparation. But, why do it all when you can leverage the comfort of digital to write your IELTS exam from home?

Nowadays, IDP IELTS tests are conducted both offline and online, which gives candidates who live a significant distance away from the exam location the convenience and saves time.

However, online IELTS test requires you ensure the following:

• Have a Windows/Mac OS computer or laptop (no mobile device or tablet)

• A webcam

• A stable internet connection

• No interruption

• A well-lit, quiet room

The online test is available if you live in Brazil, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Qatar, Spain, Turkey or Ukraine. To start with an online IELTS exam, you must first download the Inspera Exam Portal and perform pre-test system checks a day before the test.

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