IELTS

INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING SYSTEM

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) measures the language proficiency of people who want to study or work where English is used as a language of communication. It uses a nine-band scale to clearly identify levels of proficiency, from non-user (band score 1) through to expert (band score 9).

IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training

IELTS is available in two test versions: Academic - for people applying for higher education or professional registration, and General Training for those migrating to Australia, Canada and the UK, or applying for secondary education, training programmes and work experience in an English-speaking environment. Listening and Speaking are the same for both tests, but the subject matter of the Reading and Writing components differs depending on which test you take. The Listening, Reading and Writing components of all IELTS tests are completed on the same day, with no breaks in between them. The Speaking component, however, can be completed up to a week before or after the other tests. Your test centre will advise. Both versions provide a valid and accurate assessment of the four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

IELTS for study

An IELTS certificate is recognised as evidence of proficiency in English by more than 9000 education and training providers worldwide. Some universities in non-English speaking countries require an IELTS score, where courses are taught in English.

The IELTS Academic test is suitable for entry to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and also for professional registration purposes. It assesses whether you are ready to begin studying or training in an environment where English language is used, and reflects some of the features of language used in academic study.

Test format – Listening

30 minutes
You will listen to four recordings of native English speakers and then write your answers to a series of questions. 

• Recording 1 – a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.
• Recording 2 - a monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities.
• Recording 3 – 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.
• Recording 4 - a monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture.

Assessors will be looking for evidence of your ability to understand the main ideas and detailed factual information, the opinions and attitudes of speakers, the purpose of an utterance and evidence of your ability to follow the development of ideas.

Test format – Reading 

60 minutes
The Reading component consists of 40 questions, designed to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognising writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose.

IELTS Academic test - this includes three long texts which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. These are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers.  They have been selected for a non-specialist audience but are appropriate for people entering university courses or seeking professional registration.

IELTS General Training test - this includes extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment.

Test format – Writing 

60 minutes

IELTS Academic test

Topics are of general interest to, and suitable for, test takers entering undergraduate and postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration. There are two tasks:

• Task 1 - you will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.
• Task 2 - you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Responses to both tasks must be in a formal style.

IELTS General Training

Topics are of general interest. There are two tasks:

• Task 1 - you will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information, or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
• Task 2 - you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be fairly personal in style.

Test format – Speaking 

11–14 minutes

The speaking component assesses your use of spoken English. Every test is recorded. 

• Part 1 - the examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes.
• Part 2  - you will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic.
• Part 3 - you will be asked further questions about the topic in Part 2. These will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts between four and five minutes.

Study IELTS at Pixar Education

Incorporated in 2013, PIXAR EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANCY is a premier esteemed and highly professional consultancy organization engaged in career counseling and providing authentic guidance to students seeking higher education especially in Australia, USA, New Zealand, Canada and Denmark. PIXAR devoted itself toward the production of potential students for abroad studies. With one of the best facility for IELTS provided in town, PIXAR has succeded to introduce students with average band score of 6.5.  

For every Nepalese student, speaking and listening is somehow difficult due the accent of native speaker. In hand staff with international degree, motivates students with extra classes and extra exam held every week and help students to know about the different accent they might face while giving the exam. Regular interaction in English with students and understanding their problems and issues are our main target. Regular Mock test as per British Council Standard motivates students to improve more and more day by day. 

Written by: Mr. Pawan Acharya

Source: www.ielts.org