GMAT
TOEFL
IELTS - The International English Language Testing System
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a standardized test designed to assess the language proficiency of non-native English speakers. It is widely recognized and accepted by universities, colleges, employers, and immigration authorities in English-speaking countries as proof of English language skills.
- Academic Purposes: IELTS Academic is specifically for individuals planning to study at universities or institutions where English is the medium of instruction. It assesses academic English proficiency required for higher education.
- General Purposes: IELTS General Training is for individuals migrating to English-speaking countries for work, training programs, or secondary education. It evaluates practical English language skills in everyday contexts.
Test Format
- Listening: The listening section consists of four recorded monologues and conversations. Test takers listen and answer questions based on the audio content.
- Reading: The reading section includes passages from books, magazines, newspapers, and online sources. Test takers answer questions to demonstrate their comprehension and analytical skills.
- Writing: The writing section requires test takers to complete two tasks. In the Academic version, Task 1 involves describing visual information, while Task 2 is an essay on a given topic. In the General Training version, Task 1 is a letter, and Task 2 is an essay.
- Speaking: The speaking section is a face-to-face interview with a certified examiner. It assesses speaking skills, fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation through various conversation topics and tasks.
Scoring
- Band Score: IELTS scores are reported on a nine-band scale, with each band representing a level of English proficiency. Band scores range from 1 (Non-User) to 9 (Expert User).
- Overall Score: Test takers receive an overall band score, which is the average of the four individual component scores (Listening, Reading, Writing, and speaking).
