What is IELTS? All about IELTS you need to know. How to measure IELTS score bands.

What is IELTS exam?

All about IELTS

Full form of IELTS is International English Language Testing System.

Every year, thousands of Indians take this exam to go abroad to study, work, immigrate or to assess their English language.

First of all, the correct pronunciation of IELTS /ˈaɪelts/. We pronounce the abbreviation (IELTS), without speaking 'T' in it.

The test has been designed to assess the English language ability of candidates who want to study or work where English is the main language of communication.

This test 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 is recognised by universities, employers in many countries, including the UK, the USA, Canada,  Australia and New Zealand. Professional organisations like immigration authorities and other government agencies also recognise it.

Types of IELTS test

1. General Test

2. Academic Test

Though both the tests assess a candidate's English language level and have same modules yet there is a little difference in Academic and Writing modules.

TEST FORMAT

There are four sub-tests, or modules, to the IELTS test:

1. Reading

2. Writing

3. Listening

4. Speaking

All the candidates have to take these four modules.

1. Reading test lasts for 60 minutes in which candidates are given 3 comprehension passages.

2. Listening test lasts for about 30 minutes. There are four sections- played on cassette or tape, in order of increasing difficulty. Each section might be a dialogue or a monologue. The test is played once only, and the questions for each section must be answered while listening, although time is given for candidates to check their answers.

3. Writing test also takes 60 minutes. Candidates are given two writing tasks of 150 words and 250 words, in a span of 20 minutes and 40 minutes, respectively. Remember, there is no choice in topics.

4. Speaking module consists of a one-to-one interview with a specially trained examiner. The examiner will lead the candidate through the three tests.

-An introduction and interview

-An individual long turn where the candidate speaks for one or two minutes on a particular topic

-And a two-way discussion thematically linked to the individual long turn.

Remember, the interview will last for 11-14 minutes.

Assessment
Candidates are given marks in bands. Kindly go through the chart below if you want to score more.

Band Score     Skill Level                 Description

Band 9   Expert user                        has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with

                                                         complete understanding.

Band 8   Very good user                 has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies

                                                         and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex

                                                         detailed  argumentation well.

Band 7   Good user                         has 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                 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 5   Modest user                     has 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 ltd 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.

In case, you are are seriously interested in preparing for IELTS test, write me on (nassergorsi@gmail.com) or contact me on +91-9569-212026. I take only half-a-dozen candidates in a single class.
Regards
Nasser Gorsi
Sub-Editor
The Tribune
Former ESL lecturer