The World Speaks IELTS

What is IELTS?
• IELTS is the International English Language Testing System

• Designed to assess the English language ability of people who

intend to study or work where English is the language of
communication
 What is IELTS?

• Original four-skills English language test – since 1989. Covers all

four skills – listening, reading , writing, speaking - and includes a
face-to-face speaking test to ensure that candidates can really
communicate effectively in English

• Test of communicative proficiency in English – not a test of

grammar
 What is IELTS?

• Close to one million people rely on IELTS every year to access

opportunities in study, careers and migration throughout the
English-speaking world and beyond
 The increasing popularity of IELTS
1000000
900000
800000
700000
600000
500000
400000
300000
200000
100000
0
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
 A global test for a modern world
IELTS is a truly international test in every aspect

• The IELTS international partnership

• British Council
• IDP:IELTS Australia
• University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations
• Test production - item writers in Australia, New Zealand, UK and
the U.S.

• Test content – sourced globally, covering all the main national

varieties of English

• Test delivery – Available in over 120 countries

• Test recognition- recognised by over 6,000 institutions

 Fair and Reliable
• Every aspect of the IELTS test - from test design and
administration, to the marking and reporting of results – is
subject to the highest quality controls, security procedures
and integrity management practices

• The rigorous processes used to produce the test materials

ensure that every version of the test is of a comparable level
of difficulty

• IELTS Quality Assurance and Examiner Management

Systems assure that results are consistent wherever and
whenever the test is taken

• Fair to anyone who sits the test, regardless of nationality,

background, gender or lifestyle
 Proven

• Since 1989, it has been trusted by both candidates and institutions

to provide a secure, global, authentic test which measures true to
life ability to communicate in English

• Trusted by institutions worldwide to provide a true indication of

candidates English language proficiency

• Trusted by students worldwide to take them where they want to go

 Face-to-face Speaking
• Realistic interactive conversation
• Shows your real life communication skills

... interview is the top advantage of IELTS…

said Andrea Scott, director of graduate admissions and
recruiting for the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities…
In IELTS, the person is trained to gauge the student’s ability,
and to increase or decrease the difficulty of the conversation
to tell more,” Scott said.
– Inside Higher Ed, 7 August 2006
 Accessible and convenient
• Available in over 500 locations across 120 countries and territories
• You can choose from up to 4 test dates each month
• Results available 13 days after the test
• Test fee payable in local currency
• Wide range of practice materials to help you prepare for the test

• One personal copy of your Test Report Form

• Up to five Report Forms sent free to receiving organizations
• Personal and friendly service from our test centre staff
 Global acceptance – one test for
many countries and many purposes
IELTS is trusted and accepted by over 6,000 education
institutions and organizations worldwide.

• Institutes of further and higher education:

– Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Hong Kong, New Zealand,
South Africa, the United Kingdom, United States and many other
countries worldwide

– In the USA, IELTS is accepted by close to 1,400 institutions

including Harvard, Yale and Princeton
– Exit test at Hong Kong universities
• Professional bodies:
– Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and USA

• Immigration authorities:
– Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK

• Government agencies and departments:

– Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, UK, USA
Fit for purpose test – IELTS is available
in two formats
• Academic Test
For entry to universities
For professional registration

• General Training Test

For immigration
For colleges (e.g. T.A.F.E.)

Check before you enrol

 IELTS Test Format
Listening
30 minutes, 4 sections, 40 items

Academic Reading General Training Reading

60 minutes, 3 sections, 40 items 60 minutes, 3 sections, 40 items

Academic Writing General Training Writing

60 minutes, 2 tasks 60 minutes, 2 tasks

Speaking
11 - 14 minutes, 3 parts
 Listening
• 30 minutes

• 40 questions, 4 sections

• Each question is worth one mark

• No penalty for wrong answers

• Spelling is important – can use both British and American spelling

• Candidates listen to a number of recorded texts. Includes

monologues and conversations in a variety of English accents
 Academic Reading
• 60 minutes
• 40 questions in 3 sections
• Each question is worth one mark
• No penalty for wrong answers
• Spelling is important- can use both British and American spelling
• Texts are taken from books, magazines, journals and newspapers,
all written for a non-specialist audience

• At least one of the text contains a detailed argument

 Academic Writing
• 2 Tasks in 60 minutes

• Allocate about 20 minutes Task 1

40 minutes Task 2

• Task 2 is worth more marks

• Task 1: write description of at least 150 words based on material

found in a chart, table, graph or diagram

• Task 2: essay of at least 250 words in response to a statement or

question
 Speaking
• 11- 14 minutes face to face Speaking Test with a trained and
certified Examiner which is as close to real life situation as
possible

• Part 1: introduction and interview

• Part 2: Candidate speaks uninterrupted for 2 minutes on a given topic.

1 minute preparation time.

• Part 3: a two-way discussion where the candidate is asked to

participate in a discussion of a more abstract nature. Discussion is
related to topic in part 2
 IELTS Test Results
• Candidates receive scores on a scale from 1 to 9 – these are
called Band Scores

• A score is given for each skills (Listening, Reading, Writing and

Speaking). They are reported in whole bands or half bands

• Scores in each skill are combined to produce an ‘Overall Band

Score’ between 1 to 9
 IELTS
Test Report Form
 The IELTS 9 Band Scale

• Band 9 - Expert User

• Band 8 - Very Good User
• Band 7 - Good User
• Band 6 - Competent User
• Band 5 - Modest User
• Band 4 - Limited User
• Band 3 - Extremely Limited User
• Band 2 - Intermittent User
• Band 1 - Non User
 Preparing for the Test
• On-line practice www.ielts.org

• Published preparation materials

-Official IELTS Practice Materials

• Preparation courses and materials are available – ask for details at

our Reception counter
 How to Apply?

• An application form

• Bring your original, valid passport, plus a copy

• 2 photos (passport size) which have been taken within the last 6
months. Your face must make up 80% of the photograph area; the
background must be white or light blue only

• The IELTS test fee

 Visit www.ielts.org for
• Global list of test centres and test dates

• IELTS Handbook

• Information for Candidates

• Practice Materials

• Application Form

• List of universities, colleges and other institutions worldwide

accepting IELTS scores
Register today for your IELTS
test -

THE WORLD IS WAITING