Tuesday, 24 July 2018

What is the format for the IELTS test?


Understanding the test format is fundamental to any practice session, and the reason why most test-takers lose valuable scores in the test is that they are ignorant of the IELTS syllabus.

The International English Language Testing System, IELTS evaluates your skills in listening, reading, writing and speaking the English language. Some candidates consider IELTS as a challenging test of skills, but, in reality, it’s not a test to be feared. Instead, you can actually score well if you prepare following the test format. 

What are the types of IELTS test?
IELTS has two different test types: IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic.
The Listening and Speaking components are the same for both the versions, but the Reading and Writing modules differ for your chosen test type.

Test duration and detailed format
IELTS test usually continues for 2 hours and 45 minutes to 3 hours wherein, the Reading, Writing and Listening Modules are completed on the same day without any breaks in between. The Speaking module, on the other hand, is completed within a week before or after the date of the other tests.

IELTS Listening – 30 minutes duration
There are four sections in the listening component, and there is a recorded text for each section. These texts are monologues and conversations by various native speakers, which follow up with a series of questions.

Recording 1 consists of a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.

Recording 2 has a monologue set in daily social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities

Recording 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.

Recording 4 comprises of a monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture.

IELTS Reading – 60 minutes duration
There are 40 questions in this component which test your reading skills on a wide range. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognising writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose.

The Academic Reading test comprises of three authentic long texts which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. To practise effectively for this component, you can refer to reading texts from books, journals, magazines and newspapers.

The General Training Reading pattern is fairly affluent. It requires test takers 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.

IELTS Writing – 60 minutes duration
The Writing module consists of two tasks and each of the task is to be completed in the given word limit only.

Writing test for IELTS Academic is written in a formal style.
The Task 1 (150 words), requires you to summarise or explain a chart/diagram/graph/table in your own words.  You might have to explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.

In Task 2 (250 words), you have to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

Writing Test for IELTS General Training can be written in a personal or semi-formal style.

In Task 1 (150 words), you will have to write a letter on a set situation, whereas in Task 2 (250 words) you will have to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

IELTS Speaking – 11-14 minutes duration
The Speaking test module is face-to-face with an English language professional. The three parts in this test are as follows:
Part 1 – 4-5 minutes

This part is basically an introduction with the examiner which is followed by a range of general questions about your personal life. For example, home, family, work, and interests.
Part 2 – 3 minutes

You are given a card with a topic on which you will have to speak for up to 2 minutes. You do get 1 minute to prepare before speaking, and after that, the examiner will ask one or two questions related to the topic.
Part 3 – 4-5 minutes

In the third part, the examiner and test takers discuss issues related to the topic in Part 2 in a more general and abstract way. It tests your ability to express and justify opinions and how well you analyse, discuss and speculate about issues.
IELTS is a test that open door to opportunities.

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