Introduction to IELTS Exam

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a globally recognized English proficiency test designed for individuals seeking to study, work, or migrate to English-speaking countries. Developed by Cambridge Assessment English, the British Council, and IDP: IELTS Australia, the test evaluates four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

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Types of IELTS Exams and Their Purposes

1. IELTS Academic (IELTS AC)
   • Purpose: For individuals applying for higher education or professional registration.
   • Use: Accepted by universities, colleges, and professional organizations to assess readiness for academic or workplace environments.
2. IELTS General Training (IELTS GT)
   • Purpose: For individuals planning to migrate to English-speaking countries or gain work experience/training.
   • Use: Evaluates practical communication skills for everyday and workplace scenarios.
3. IELTS Life Skills
   • Purpose: Tests speaking and listening skills for specific visa and immigration categories.
   • Use: Commonly required for UK family or spouse visas.
4. IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (IELTS UKVI)
   • Purpose: Designed for UK visa applicants, meeting UK Home Office requirements.
   • Use: Available in both Academic and General Training formats with added security measures.

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Scoring Criteria

IELTS scores range from 0 to 9 bands, with each module (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) scored individually. The overall band score is the average of the four module scores.

1. IELTS Academic (AC) and General Training (GT)

• Listening and Reading: Both have 40 questions, with scores based on the number of correct answers.
• Writing: Assessed on four criteria:
  • Task Achievement (Academic) / Task Response (General Training)
  • Coherence and Cohesion
  • Lexical Resource
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy
• Speaking: Evaluated on:
  • Fluency and Coherence
  • Lexical Resource
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy
  • Pronunciation

2. IELTS Life Skills

Tests only Speaking and Listening with scores reported as:

• Pass: Meets required proficiency for the visa category.
• Fail: Below the required level.

Levels tested:

• A1: For family/spouse visas.
• B1: For indefinite leave to remain or citizenship.

3. IELTS UKVI

Scoring criteria are identical to standard IELTS AC and GT but include additional security measures to meet UKVI requirements.

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Computer-Delivered IELTS (CD IELTS)

Computer-Delivered IELTS is an alternative to the paper-based test, available for both Academic and General Training modules.

Key Features:

1. Faster Results: Results are available within 3–5 days, compared to 13 days for paper-based tests.
2. Test Format:
   • Listening, Reading, and Writing are conducted on a computer.
   • Speaking is still conducted face-to-face with an examiner.
3. Flexible Dates and Times: Offers multiple test sessions daily.
4. User-Friendly Interface: Includes tools like highlighting, note-taking, and adjustable text size.
5. Time Management Tools: On-screen timers help candidates monitor time effectively.

Scoring:

The scoring system is identical to the paper-based IELTS, ensuring uniformity across formats.

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Choosing the Right Format

• CD IELTS: Ideal for those comfortable with typing and using computers.
• Paper-Based IELTS: Better suited for candidates who prefer handwriting.

Both formats are globally accepted and equally valid. Choose the test type and format that align with your goals and preferences.