If you’re wondering what is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, you’re not alone. The test is an international standard and is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP, IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English. It was first administered in 1989. It is now available in over 125 countries.
Listening
In the Listening section of the IELTS exam, you must provide grammatically correct answers to questions about the situation you are listening to. The questions may be either singular or plural. Spelling and capitalization are also important. You should try to answer all questions. The wrong answer can lead to a lower mark. It is a good idea to listen to all the questions and mark those that you have missed.
You will be given a certain amount of time to answer questions on the Listening section, and you will be given a word limit per question. This limit will change for the next set of questions. You should ensure that you have enough time to read and review each question before the recording begins. This is important because your answers will be marked incorrect if you are in a rush.
Listening questions are designed to test your ability to pay close attention to details. They assess your ability to understand the details of everyday topics. You may be asked to follow a conversation between two people, or to recognise relationships between facts in a listening text. Some questions will require you to complete a plan, a map, or a diagram.
If you are asked about the meaning of an unknown word, try to use the correct spelling. Although you may be tempted to use abbreviations when speaking, it’s best to stick to the correct form. For example, you might want to use the word ‘outdoor trips’ rather than ‘outdoor trips’ if you don’t know what a rain-wear is.
Reading
There are two types of questions in Reading in the IELTS exam: the General Training module and the Academic reading module. Academic reading tasks are intended for students who are about to enter university or are applying for a professional registration. The General Training reading tasks are more demanding. They require you to read and comprehend a wide range of texts on topics related to academic studies.
The Reading in the IELTS test is a timed test, and the maximum duration is 60 minutes. There are strategies for each type of question, which you can use to speed read the text. Some strategies focus on reading the information quickly, others on reading the text in detail. Practice on sample papers until you have the feel for the type of questions you’ll be presented.
For the IELTS Reading test, you’ll have to complete three passages containing around 500 words. You’ll also need to answer 40 questions based on one of the passages. The passages will contain a total word count, which will help you calculate your reading speed. The three reading passages have a total of 2,500 words, and the questions will contain around 500 words.
There are two types of reading questions in the IELTS test, Academic and General Training. Each section will have slightly different questions, but the style and content will remain similar. For example, the general training reading test will include excerpts from newspapers or magazines. You will have 45-60 minutes to complete the test.
Writing
The Writing for IELTS test is a two-part test. The first task is to write a story. This will test your vocabulary and your ability to use precise words to express your thoughts. The second task involves a detailed analysis of a topic. You will have approximately 250 words to complete.
The structure of your essay is very important. You should use an outline for a better understanding of the content. This will help you focus your writing and prevent you from straying from the topic. It will also help you organize your thoughts and put them in the right order before writing. Outlines also help you improve your IELTS writing skills. The first paragraph of your essay should be strong. This is because it creates the first impression for your reader.
When preparing for the IELTS writing test, you will want to use an IELTS writing book. It will explain all of the requirements for the test and help you prepare for your test. It also includes examples of student and author work that illustrate different points and identify mistakes you may make. This IELTS writing book will help you prepare for the academic and general writing sections.
The Writing section will take about an hour and consists of two tasks. Task 1 will require approximately 150 words, while Task 2 should require about 250 words. Task 2 will earn you more bands than Task 1, so it is important to use the right words and grammar.
Speaking
Speaking on the IELTS exam is a challenging section to prepare for, as it requires an extended range of vocabulary and a wide range of topics. As with all other IELTS sections, the grading process is based on accuracy and fluency, and it is essential to understand how to be evaluated before the exam.
There are four specific criteria the examiner will look for in your speaking response. Each of them will contribute 25 per cent of your overall score. These criteria are outlined below. In this section, you will be assessed on your ability to connect ideas, use connectors, and use conjunctions. You will also be assessed on your pronunciation, diction, and phrasal verb use.
Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking exam lasts for around 4-5 minutes. During this time, you’ll answer questions about yourself that the examiner will ask. Because the examiner has little time to prepare your answers, the first part of the exam is often the easiest part. It’s important to avoid wasting these easy marks. Part 2 of the exam is shorter, lasting three to four minutes.
Another common mistake is focusing on the language of the test. Rather than focusing on the task’s meaning, students often fail to consider the linguistic context in which the speaking sub-test is given. This, in turn, undermines their overall score. The test should be developed with a wider range of contexts in mind.
Test dates
If you’re planning to take the IELTS exam, you must be aware of the test dates. These dates depend on your country, test center, and format. Once you have selected a date and time for your IELTS test, you will need to register. You can do so online, and then pay for your test within 24 hours.
Choosing the right test date can help you avoid problems, like re-testing after the exam date. It is important to choose a date that is earlier than the deadline for your application, yet falls within the score reporting period. If you miss your IELTS test date, you may have to apply again, and this can cause delays.
The best time to register for an IELTS test is at least three months before the test. You will be able to find an IELTS test date by looking up your city and month on the British Council website. Once you’ve done that, you can choose your test date by choosing a test date that fits your schedule.
After registering online, you can choose the test dates and venues for your Academic or General Training IELTS exam. You will also be notified of the venue and time for the Speaking test seven days before the test date.
