If you have been asked to take IELTS, you MUST know what it is, how is structured and what module is the most suitable for you. So, read this post carefully!
According to the IELTS official website, IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the test designed to assess the language ability of candidates who want to study or work where English is the language of communication.IELTS is recognised by over 6,000 organisations worldwide, including universities, employers, professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies.
Academic and General Training Reading/Writing modules:
If you are planning to apply for tertiary , undergraduate and postgraduate courses and for professional registration, you need to take the Academic Reading and Writing modules. If you are going to an English speaking country to complete your secondary education, or to undertake work experience or training programmes which are not a degree level, or for immigration purposes, then the General Training Reading and Writing modules may be more suitable.
To be sure, you should check the requirements with your prospective receiving institutions/sponsors.
The test components
Listening
Timing: Approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes’ transfer time)
Questions: There are 40 questions.
A variety of question types is used, chosen from the following: multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, summary completion, sentence completion, short-answer questions.
Test Parts: there are 4 sections
Section 1 is a conversation between two people set in a everyday social context (e.g. a conversation in an accommodation agency)
Section 2 is a monologue set in an everyday social context (e.g. a speech about local facilities or a talk about the arrangements for meals during a conference)
Section 3 is a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context (e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment, or a group of students planning research project)
Section 4 is a monologue on an academic subject (e.g. university lecture)
Each section is heard once only
A variety of voices and native- speaker accents is used.
Reading
Timing: 60 minutes (no extra transfer time)
Questions: There are 40 questions.
A variety of question types is used, chosen from the following: multiple choice, identifying information (True/False/Not Given), identifying writer’s views/claims (Yes, No, Not Given), matching information, matching headings, matching features , matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short-answer questions.
Test Parts: there are 3 sections
Academic Reading
Each section contains one long text. Texts are authentic and are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. They have been written for a non- specialist audience and are on academic topics of general interest. Texts are appropriate to, and accessible to, candidates entering undergraduate or postgraduate courses or seeking professional registration. Texts range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. Texts may contain non-verbal material such as diagrams, graphs or illustrations. If text contains technical terms, then a simple glossary is provided.
General Training Reading
Section 1 contains two or three short factual texts, one of which may be composite (consisting of 6-8 short texts related by topic, e.g. hotel advertisements). Topics are relevant to everyday life in an English-speaking country.
Section 2 contains two short factual texts focusing on work-related issues (e.g. applying for jobs, company policies, pay and conditions, workplace facilities, staff development and training).
Section 3 contains one longer, more complex text on a topic of general interest.
Texts are authentic and are taken from notices, advertisements, company handbooks, official documents, books, magazines and newspapers.
Writing
Timing: 60 minutes
Tasks: There are 2 tasks
Candidates are required to write at least 150 words for Task 1 and at least 250 words for Task 2.
Test Parts: there are 2 parts
Academic Writing
In Task 1, candidates are presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and are asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in their own words. They may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.
In task 2, candidates are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.
The issues raised are of general interest to, suitable for an easily understood by candidates entering the undergraduate or postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration.
Responses to Task 1 and Task 2 should be written in a formal style.
General Training Writing
In task 1, candidates are presented with a situation and are asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
In Task 2, candidates are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be slightly more personal in style than the Academic Writing Task 2 essay.
Topics are of general interest.
Speaking
Timing: 11-14 minutes
Tasks: The Speaking test is a 3- part face –to- face oral interview with an examiner.
The Speaking test is recorded.
Test Parts: there are 4 sections
Part 1 Introduction and interview (4-5 minutes)
The examiner introduces him/herself and asks the candidate to introduce him/herself and confirm his/her identity. The examiner asks the candidate general questions on familiar topics, e.g. home, family, work, studies and interests.
Part 2 Individual long turn (3-4 minutes)
The examiner gives the candidate a task card which asks the candidate to talk about a particular topic and which includes points which the candidate can cover in their talk. The candidate is given 1 minute to prepare their talk, and is given a pencil and paper to make notes. The candidate talks for 1-2 minutes on the topic. The examiner then asks the candidate one or two questions on the same topic.
Part 3 Two-way discussion (4-5 minutes)
The examiner asks further questions which are connected to the topic of Part 2. These questions give the candidate an opportunity to discuss more abstract issues and ideas.
For more information follow this link and download IELTS- information for candidates
After you have finished with this post, why do not watch this video by ABC Australia
Source: IELTS information for Candidates booklet 2011
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