What is IELTS?

•IELTS is the International English Language Testing System

• Designed to assess the English language ability of people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication

• Original four-skills English language test – since 1989. Covers all four skills – listening, reading , writing, speaking -and includes a face-to-face speaking test to ensure that candidates can really communicate effectively in English

• Test of communicative proficiency in English – not a test of grammar

• Close to one million people rely on IELTS every year to access opportunities in study, careers and migration throughout the English-speaking world and beyond

A global test for a modern world

•IELTS is a truly international test in every aspect

•The IELTS international partnership // British Council // IDP:IELTS Australia // University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations

• Test production -item writers in Australia, New Zealand, UK and the U.S.

• Test content – sourced globally, covering all the main national varieties of English

• Test delivery – Available in over 120 countries

• Test recognition-recognised by over 6,000 institutions

Fair and Reliable

• Every aspect of the IELTS test -from test design and administration, to the marking and reporting of results – is subject to the highest quality controls, security procedures and integrity management practices

• The rigorous processes used to produce the test materialsensure that every version of the test is of a comparable level of difficulty

• IELTS Quality Assurance and Examiner ManagementSystems assure that results are consistent wherever and whenever the test is taken

•Fair to anyone who sits the test, regardless of nationality, background, gender or lifestyle

Proven

•Since 1989, it has been trusted by both candidates and institutions to provide a secure, global, authentic test which measures true to life ability to communicate in English

• Trusted by institutions worldwide to provide a true indication of candidates English language proficiency

• Trusted by students worldwide to take them where they want to go

Face-to-face Speaking

• Realistic interactive conversation

• Shows your real life communication skills

...interview is the top advantage of IELTS… said Andrea Scott, director of graduate admissions andrecruiting for the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities…

In IELTS, the person is trained to gauge the student’s ability, and to increase or decrease the difficulty of the conversation to tell more,” Scott said

Accessible and convenient

•Available in over 500 locations across 120 countries and territories

• You can choose from up to 4 test dates each month

• Results available 13 days after the test

• Test fee payable in local currency

• Wide range of practice materials to help you prepare for the test

• One personal copy of your Test Report Form

• Up to five Report Forms sent free to receiving organizations

• Personal and friendly service from our test centre staff

Global acceptance – one test for many countries and many purposes

IELTS is trusted and accepted by over 6,000 education institutions and organizations worldwide.

• Institutes of further and higher education:

– Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Hong Kong, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, United States and many other countries worldwide

– In the USA, IELTS is accepted by close to 1,400 institutions including Harvard, Yale and Princeton

– Exit test at Hong Kong universities

• Professional bodies: – Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and USA

• Immigration authorities:  Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK

• Government agencies and departments:  Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, UK, USA

Fit for purpose test – IELTS is available in two formats

• Academic Test /for entry to universities ,for professional registration /

• General Training Test/for immigration ,for colleges (e.g. T.A.F.E.) /

Check before you enrol

IELTS Test Format

Listening /30 minutes, 4 sections, 40 items /

• Each question is worth one mark

• No penalty for wrong answers

• Spelling is important – can use both British and American spelling

• Candidates listen to a number of recorded texts. Includes monologues and conversations in a variety of English accents

General Training Reading /60 minutes, 3 sections, 40 items /

Academic Reading /60 minutes, 3 sections, 40 items/

• Each question is worth one mark

• No penalty for wrong answers

• Spelling is important-can use both British and American spelling

•Texts are taken from books, magazines, journals and newspapers, all written for a non-specialist audience

•At least one of the text contains a detailed argument

General Training Writing /60 minutes, 2 tasks /

Academic Writing /60 minutes, 2 tasks /

• Allocate about 20 minutes Task 1 ,40 minutes Task 2

• Task 2 is worth more marks

•Task 1: write description of at least 150 words based on material found in a chart, table, graph or diagram

•Task 2: essay of at least 250 words in response to a statement or question

Speaking /11 -14 minutes, 3 parts /

11-14 minutes face to face Speaking Test with a trained and certified Examiner which is as close to real life situation as possible

•Part 1: introduction and interview

•Part 2: Candidate speaks uninterrupted for 2 minutes on a given topic. 1 minute preparation time.

•Part 3: a two-way discussion where the candidate is asked to participate in a discussion of a more abstract nature. Discussion is related to topic in part 2