Saturday, January 3, 2009

IELTS Test

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a test of English language proficiency. IELTS is mandatory exam for admission into universities, secondary, vocational and training programs in the countries of England, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. IELTS is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council, and IDP: IELTS Australia. It has become a mandatory test for students of many nationalities to get student visas to Australia. IELTS is however not accepted by most universities in USA. TOEFL is required for study there.. 

The test has different sections:
  • The Listening Section - Duration : 30 minutes
  • Academic reading/general training reading section - Duration : 60 minutes
  • Academic writing/general training writing section - Duration : 60 minutes
  • Speaking Section : Duration : 11 - 14 minutes
  • Total test time : 2 hours and 45 minutes
All Aspirants are supposed to take the Listening and Speaking modules and the choice of Reading and Writing modules of IELTS is determined by the purpose of taking IELTS. 

The Academic reading and writing modules are suitable for those seeking admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses. General training reading and writing modules are suitable for candidates who are going to English-speaking countries to complete their secondary education or to undertake work experience or training programmes not at degree level. The General training modules are also used for immigration purposes.

IELTS assesses a candidate on a band scale of one to nine. Band one indicates that you have virtually no knowledge of English. Band nine indicates that your English proficiency is as good as that of a native English speaker. Universities in Australia, England etc, typically require a band score of 6 and more.

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