IELTS FAQs

What is the IELTS?
IELTS , International English Language Testing System is a test of the English language. It is an examination that is required to be taken compulsorily by international students, professionals who including doctors, nurses, and teachers and prospective immigrants into countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the U.K. These countries require a valid IELTS score as a part of their visa processes to allow people to work or study in their country. Some organizations like CGFNS, Irish nursing and NHS accept the IELTS as a reliable test of the English language. Now-a-days it is recognized as an alternative to TOEFL by many American universities and could soon start replacing the test.

What does it test?

It tests the entire range of English language skills, which will be encountered by the students when studying or training in the English medium. One can choose to write either the academic or the general IELTS test. The Academic test is suitable for candidates planning to undertake higher education study in the universities in those foreign countries. General training is suitable for candidates planning to take non-academic training or work and for immigration purposes.

Who manages the IELTS examination?

IELTS is jointly managed by university of Cambridge ESOL examinations (Cambridge ESOL), the British Council and IDP Education Australia for the IELTS Australia.These institutions take care of the administering, developing and conducting the test.

What is the test format?

Candidates are tested in different sections like, listening, reading, writing, and speaking. If the candidate is planning to undertake academic study, it is recommended that the candidate sits for the academic IELTS exam. If the candidate is planning to undertake non-academic training (immigration, work, etc), it is recommended that he sit for general IELTS examination.The Writing and Reading sections differ in the academic and general tests. The Listening and speaking sections are the same in both.

What is the duration of the exam?

Listening – 4 sections, 40 questions, 30 minutes, (additional 10 minutes- to transfer answers to the answer sheet)
Reading – 3 sections, 40 questions, 60 minutes
General writing – 2 writing tasks (letter writing – 150 words, Essay – 250 words), 60 minutes
Academic writing – 2 writing tasks (graph – 150 words and Essay – 250 words), 60 minutes
Speaking – 11 to 15 minutes – Introduction, monologue and a dialogue with the examiner on a particular topic.
Total test time is about 2 hours 45 minutes.