The International English Language Test (IELTS) is an English language proficiency test that is often recommended or required by various international institutions or employers. The test measures an individual’s ability to listen, read, write and speak in English on a scale from 1-9.
IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English.
English is the third-most spoken language worldwide. Demonstrating a strong aptitude and proficiency in the language is vital to securing a job or studying in an English-speaking country.
IELTS is popular amongst individuals who aim to migrate to the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and various other English-speaking countries. It is recognised internationally by over 10,000 employers, universities, and schools.
There are 4 sections in total: speaking, listening, reading and writing. The listening, reading and writing parts will take place on the same day, consecutively, without breaks. The speaking test is typically scheduled later. It has to be completed within seven days of taking the first three sections. The local IELTS should inform you of the time, date and location where the test will take place.
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Section 1 | A conversation between two people set in an everyday social context, e.g. a conversation in an accommodation agency. |
| Section 2 | A monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities. |
| Section 3 | A conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context, e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment. |
| Section 4 | A monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture. |
The reading section should take approximately 60 minutes. It’s composed of 40 questions. A variety of question types is used in order to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument, recognising writers’ opinions, attitudes and purpose.
The IELTS Writing test will take 60 minutes.
The Speaking Skills test will take 11 to 14 minutes (the speaking test is the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training).
IELTS Speaking test is a face-to-face interview, which will take about 11 to 14 minutes. The Speaking test is designed to assess your use of spoken English. Every test is recorded.
The Speaking test consists of three parts:
| Task | Content |
|---|---|
| Task 1 | You will be asked to answer general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as your home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between 4 and 5 minutes. |
| Task 2 | You will be given a card and you will be asked to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner then asks you one or two questions on the same topic to finish this part of the test. |
| Task 3 | You will be asked further questions connected to the topic in Part 2. These questions give you an opportunity to discuss more abstract issues and ideas. This part lasts between four and five minutes. |
For more information on the best preparation techniques, how to nail the interview and details on the difference between academic and general training, book an appointment with our team.
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