IELTS - Brief Insight

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. IELTS exam is designed to assess the readiness of candidates to study or train in further or higher education courses held in English at college or university. IELTS provides a profile of a candidate's English proficiency. The profile contains not only an indication of a candidate's ability in a particular module but also an indication of overall ability.

IELTS is recognized by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. It is also recognized by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies.

For you, the IELTS score is a proof of your English proficiency in general. IELTS is recognized worldwide and that's why if you have a good IELTS score, you can use this certificate as proof of your proficiency of handling English as a second language. There are many institutions that offer IELTS coaching for aspiring students. You can take IELTS Coaching in Kochi to get better score.

It has four modules namely: Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening.The details of these modules are given below:

1.Listening

(Duration: 30 minutes)

You will listen to four recorded texts – monologues and conversations by a range of native speakers – and write the answers to a series of questions. These include questions that test your ability to understand main ideas and detailed factual information, ability to understand the opinions and attitudes of speakers, ability to understand the purpose of what is said and ability to follow the development of ideas. A variety of voices and native-speaker accents is used and you will hear each section only once.

Please note: The Listening component is the same for both Academic and General Training versions.

Section 1A conversation between two people set in an everyday social context, e.g. a conversation in an accommodation agency.

Section 2A monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities.

Section 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.

Section 4

A monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture.

2.Reading

(Duration: 60 minutes)

The Reading component comprises 40 questions. A variety of question types is used in order 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 recognizing writers’ opinions, attitudes and purpose.

Reading – Academic version

The Academic version includes three long texts, which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. The texts are authentic and are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. These have been selected for a non-specialist audience but are recognizably appropriate for anyone entering undergraduate or postgraduate courses or seeking professional registration.

Reading – General Training version

The General Training version requires you to read 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.

3.Writing

( Duration: 60 minutes)

Writing – Academic version

The Writing component of the Academic version includes two tasks. Topics are of general interest to, and suitable for, anyone entering undergraduate or postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration.

Task 1You will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and are asked to describe, summarize 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 written in a formal style.

Writing – General Training version

The Writing component of the General Training version includes two tasks, which are based on topics of general interest.

Task 1You 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 slightly more personal in style than the Academic Writing Task 2 essay.

4.Speaking

(Duration: 11 to 14 minutes)

The Speaking component assesses your use of spoken English and takes between 11 and 14 minutes to complete. Every test is recorded.Please note: The Speaking component is the same for both Academic and General Training versions.

Part 1You will be asked to answer general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as your home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes.

Part 2You will be given a card that asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner then asks you one or two questions on the same topic to finish this part of the test.

Part 3You will be asked further questions connected to the topic in Part 2. These questions give you an opportunity to discuss more abstract issues and ideas. This part lasts between four and five minutes.

The Speaking component is delivered in such a way that does not allow you to rehearse set responses beforehand.

I'm Gracy, an administrative assistant from Kochi. I work for the best IELTS coaching center in Ernakulam, Kerala.