IELTS PREPARATION

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication. IELTS is jointly managed by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia. IELTS conforms to the highest international standards of language assessment.

It covers the four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking. IELTS is recognised by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. It is also recognised by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies. IELTS is not recommended for candidates under the age of 16.

Test Administration

IELTS tests are administered at centres throughout the world there are currently over 300 centres operating in more than 100 countries. Centres supervise the local administration of the test and ensure the provision of qualified and trained examiners. A full list of centres is available on the IELTS website. Test centres run regular test administrations, according to local need and results are available within two weeks. Candidates receive only one copy of their results but additional copies may be sent by the test centre directly to receiving organisations at the request of the candidate.

There are no restrictions on candidates re-taking the test.

Academic and General Training

IELTS is available in two formats – Academic and General Training.

The Academic Reading and Writing tests assess whether a candidate is ready to study or train in the medium of English at an undergraduate or postgraduate level. Admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses is based on the results of these tests.

The General Training Reading and Writing tests are not designed to test the full range of formal language skills required for academic purposes, but emphasise basic survival skills in a broad social and educational context. General Training is suitable for candidates who are going to English-speaking countries to complete their secondary education, to undertake work experience or training programmes not at degree level, or for immigration purposes to Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to inform the test centre whether they wish to take the Academic or General Training Modules. Centres are not responsible for providing this information. The General Training Module is not offered at all test administrations.

Test Format

IELTS is available in two formats – Academic and General Training.

The Academic Reading and Writing tests assess whether a candidate is ready to study or train in the medium of English at an undergraduate or postgraduate level. Admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses is based on the results of these tests.

The General Training Reading and Writing tests are not designed to test the full range of formal language skills required for academic purposes, but emphasise basic survival skills in a broad social and educational context. General Training is suitable for candidates who are going to English-speaking countries to complete their secondary education, to undertake work experience or training programmes not at degree level, or for immigration purposes to Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to inform the test centre whether they wish to take the Academic or General Training Modules. Centres are not responsible for providing this information. The General Training Module is not offered at all test administrations.

Preparing for the Test

It is not necessary to attend an IELTS preparation course though it is, of course, a good idea to prepare thoroughly for the test. An order form is given at the end of this Handbook for an Official IELTS Practice Materials pack. This includes a full practice test with an answer key and a CD of the Listening test and sample Speaking tests, so that candidates can get some idea of their level and familiarise themselves with the format of the test. There is also a wide range of published preparation materials.

WHY CHOOSE IELTS?

IELTS scores are accepted by over 8,000 organizations worldwide, including universities, employers, immigration authorities and professional bodies.

IELTS is designed by experts to fairly assess the language ability of candidates who want to study or work where English is the language of communication.

LISTENING

Time: 30 minutes 4 sections, 40 questions
Real-world listening situations

Difficulty

Range of topics and tasks
listening for specific information e.g.dates, place names
understanding gist
understanding speaker attitude/opinion

Listening English Format Section 1 : conversation – 2 speakers
Section 2 : monologue
Section 3 : conversation – 4 speakers
Section 4 : lecture

Listening Strategies
Recording is played once
Read question CAREFULLY BEFORE listening

Familiarize yourself with question types
completing a chart
selecting pictures
note-taking exercises
MCQ questions

READING
Time: 60 minutes 3 reading passages, totally 40 questions
Texts are taken from books, magazines, journals and newspapers

Question types
find detailed information
identify attitudes and views
complete a diagram

General Reading Strategies (Understanding the relationship in passages )

While reading the passage, you should understand the main points and try and find out the relationship between words and phrases in a sentence, between the sentences and in the whole paragraph. Sometimes, some diagrams, tables and graphs are also given in the passage. Try and infer from these when you can’t get a direct link through words.

Evaluating the information

Simply understanding the information is not enough, you should be able to evaluate as well, by distinguishing between facts and opinions.

Understanding unfamiliar words

It is quite possible that you may not understand all the words in a passage. Don’t worry. It is not required that you know the exact meaning of each and every word as long as the sense of the sentence is clear to you.

Important points to remember

First of all, glance through all sections, get an idea of the subject matter and spend around 2-3 minutes scanning the paper. Now prioritise all sections according to the subject matter you find easier. The section you find the easiest should be attempted first and so on.

Before attempting the questions, read the instructions carefully and follow them religiously. Carelessness may cost you marks.

Don’t panic if the subject matter is not of your choice. All the answers are in the passage, so try and attempt the questions by reading the passage. In difficult passages, go for a ‘ skim and scan’ approach — read the questions and try finding out the answers by locating similar words.

The most important step is to set a time limit for every passage and attempt that in the specified time only.

If you are not able to answer any question, don’t waste your time. Move to the next. Later, if you have some extra time, make a guess as there is no negative marking. You are always advised not to leave any question unanswered.

Write your answers directly on the transfer sheet to save you time. No extra time is given to transfer answers. Also transfer answers very carefully, as any carelessness may cost you marks.

Be very careful with spellings. Wrong spellings mean wrong answers.

WRITING

Academic Writing

Time: 60 minutes 2 tasks
Task 1(20mins): descriptive report of a table or diagram, 150 words
Task 2(40 mins):250 word essay in response to an opinion or a problem.
Discuss issues, construct an argument and use the appropriate tone and register.

General writing

The General Training Writing test is 60 minutes long.
It has two writing tasks of 150 words and 250 words.
In Task 1, candidates are asked to respond to a situation, by writing a letter for example, requesting information or explaining a situation.( task 1 is for 20 min)
In Task 2, candidates write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. (task 2 is for 40 min)

Writing Strategies

Read the question carefully
Familiarize yourself with descriptions of data – in newspapers, textbooks
Practice formulating your own ideas on topics

Speaking strategies

Part 1
1. Take the initiative if possible
2. Always say more than yes or no
3. Try to overcome nerves

Part 2

1. Take the 1 min preparation time
2. Jot down some main ideas
3. Sound interested in the talk

Part 3

1. Give informed responses
2. Demonstrate your control of the language
3. Attempt to express abstract ideas

SCORING

IELTS provides a profile of a candidate’s ability to use English Candidates receive a score on a Band Scale from 1-9

Scores on the IELTS test are graded into nine bands as follows:

Band 0- Did not attempt the test
Band 1- Non User
Band 2- Intermittent User
Band 3- Extremely Limited User
Band 4- Limited User
Band 5- Modest User
Band 6 – Competent User
Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
Band 7 – Good user
Band 8 – Very Good User
Band 9 – Expert User

General Strategies

Familiarize yourself with the test.
Practice
Time Management