IELTS Classes

SchoolAbroad_Stry

    Apply Now

    Make an appoinment to meet with our experts

    IELTS

    The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) tests whether you’re proficient enough in the English Language or not. It is absolutely crucial while studying and living in English speaking countries like Australia, Canada, US, UK, New Zealand, and so on.

    During the IELTS test, abilities such as listening, speaking, reading and writing are tested. A score out of 9 is given to the candidates, on the basis of which, they are evaluated by the university.

    The IELTS test is designed by the University of Cambridge. 

    Why Take The IELTS?

    People from non-English speaking countries take the IELTS exam to qualify for the visa to either study or work in English speaking countries like the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Provided that the applicants aren’t able to score the minimum score, they are not offered the visa to study or work in these countries.

    The IELTS score is also evaluated during the application processing. Depending on the IELTS score, the international students looking to study in universities in the English speaking countries are assessed. They are either accepted or rejected into the universities, and offered or denied admissions on the basis of their IELTS  score.

    Overall, IELTS is globally recognized by more than 10,000 employers and universities around the world, out of which 3400 happen to be in the US itself.

    Which countries Is It Valid In?

    IELTS is the most popular English Language Competency Test in the world. More than 11,000 organizations across 140 countries accept IELTS, for both study and migration. But candidates usually prefer to study in Canada, Australia, the USA, the UK, Ireland and New Zealand. IELTS is valid in these countries but every country has its own IELTS band score requirement. Below we have listed the average IELTS score requirements of these countries. Check it out.

    1. The United States

    More than 3,000 institutions of the United States accept IELTS as evidence of the English Language skills of a student. You will require a minimum IELTS band score of 6.0 to 7.0 to study in the USA. Some universities in the United States also accept an IELTS band score but a 5.5 band score views not good in the country. A better IELTS score is mandatory to apply for a USA visa.

    2. The United Kingdom

    IELTS band score is one of the most important things for an international student to study in the United Kingdom. The minimum requirement of IELTS score in the UK is at least 6.5 in each and 7 overall. A few universities and colleges in the UK also accept an IELTS score of 5.5 but it’s better you have an IELTS score between 6.0 to 7.0 if you are planning to study in the United Kingdom.

    3. Canada

    Universities and colleges across Canada accept IELTS to provide a student study permit. Your IELTS examination will be your proof of English proficiency to apply for a study permit in Canada. Your IELTS band score should be at least 6, a 5.0 band score in every 4 modules and an overall 6.5 band score, to study in Canada. Additionally, IELTS is also accepted for PR in Canada.

    4. Australia

    The Australian government accepts IELTS to allow you to study in the country. The band requirements to apply for a study visa in Australia is at least 5.5 in each module, reading, writing, speaking and listening. IELTS is also one of the major parts of the point-based immigration system in Australia.

    5. Ireland

    Ireland is one of the 140 countries where IELTS is valid to get a study permit. Your IELTS band score must be at least 6.0 in each module and 6.5 overall to study in Ireland. The IELTS exam fee in Ireland is around $100 and one can only apply for an Irish study permit if his or her age is above 16. A candidate can participate in the exam limitless.

    6. New Zealand

    Students need to be skilled migrants to apply for a New Zealand visa permit. Your band score in each module should be at least 5.5 and your overall band score should be at least 6.5 to study in New Zealand, for both the Academic and General Training versions.

    Note: The requirements for an IELTS band score of a country may vary from university to university.

    Who conducts the IELTS Test?

    The University of Cambridge is the body that is responsible for the designing of the IELTS test. All over the world, the IELTS exam is conducted by either the British Council or the IDP, which is an Australian education organization. The British Council conducts a paper based test whereas the IDP conducts a computer based IELTS test.

    Types Of Test

    There are mainly two types of IELTS test. IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Candidates, depending on their purpose of migrating to the English speaking country, pick one of these tests. Technically speaking, the Listening and Speaking modules of both the types are the same. However, it’s the Reading and Writing modules that are different especially when it comes to subject matter.

    The candidates appearing for the IELTS test need to attempt the Reading, Writing and Listening modules on the same day. The Speaking section can be attempted within a week, or as per the advice of the exam center. The overall time duration of the IELTS test is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

    IELTS Academic

    The candidates who appear for the IELTS Academic are the ones generally looking to get enrolled in different courses in the universities of English speaking countries. The minimum score that a candidate must secure is 6 out of 9 to get accepted in universities and have the visa granted. The following table depicts the exam pattern of the IELTS Academic test.

    Sections

    Content

    Duration

    IELTS Academic Test Description

    Listening

    40 Questions

    30 Minutes

    It covers four recorded monologues and conversations.

    ●       Section 1: A conversation between two people set in a social context.

    ●       Section 2: A monologue set in a social context.

    ●       Section 3: A conversation between three or four people set in an educational or training context.

    ●       Section 4: A monologue on an academic subject.

    Reading

    40 Questions

    60 Minutes

    Three long reading passages with tasks. Questions will deal with issues suitable for candidates planning to join a postgraduate or undergraduate program.

    Writing

    2 Tasks

    60 Minutes

    Task 1: A short essay of at least 250 words.

    Task 2: A writing task of at least 150 words, describing or explaining the table, chart, diagram, or graph given.

    Speaking

    3 Parts

    11-14 Minutes

    The face-to-face interview where candidates have to speak on the topic asked, and make structured discussions.

    General Training

    The candidates looking to migrate to English speaking countries either for the sake of employment or for non-academic training usually go for the General Training type of IELTS exam. Listening and Speaking are almost the same as Academic type, the Reading and Writing sections are different. The following table shows the exam pattern of the IELTS General Training.

    IELTS General Training Test Table

    Sections

    Content

    Duration

    IELTS Academic Test Description

    Listening

    40 Questions

    30 Minutes

    It covers four recorded monologues and conversations.

    ●       Section 1: A conversation between two people set in a social context.

    ●       Section 2: A monologue set in a social context.

    ●       Section 3: A conversation between three or four people set in an educational or training context.

    ●       Section 4: A monologue on an academic subject.

    Reading

    40 Questions

    60 Minutes

    Three passages with tasks. You need to read extracts from books, newspapers,  advertisements, notices, magazines, guidelines, or company handbooks.

    Writing

    2 Tasks

    60 Minutes

    Task 1: You need to describe and explain the situation presented to you in the form of a personal, semi-formal, or formal letter.

    Task 2: You need to write an essay in response to an argument or problem. The essay should be personal in style.

    Speaking

    3 Parts

    11-14 Minutes

    The face-to-face interview where candidates have to speak on the topic asked, and make structured discussions.

    Test Format

    There are four modules in the IELTS exam – Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The candidates are required to appear for the Reading, Writing and Listening Exam on the same day. They can appear for the Speaking exam as per the schedule specified by the exam center. The IELTS exam is traditionally paper based, but the IDP education conducts computer based IELTS test. The latter one is more flexible and less time consuming to conduct. The Listening part has 40 questions divided into 4 parts. The Writing section has two tasks. The Reading section consists of 40 questions divided into 3 passages. The Speaking part is sort of like an interview. Overall, the exam lasts for a duration of 2 hrs 45 min.

    IELTS Score

    All the modules of the IELTS, may it be Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing, are marked out of 9. In each of these tests, the candidates are scored as per their performance. As a result, the candidates are given individual scores in each of these segments. For the overall score, which is also marked out of 9, an average of all the individual scores is calculated. Depending on the objective of the candidate, he needs to score a minimum of at least 5.5 or 6 in the test. Generally, the candidates with lower scores could be denied acceptance into universities or companies. Even the visas may not be granted if the score is lower.