The IELTS is a standardized test that measures English communication ability in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Scores range from 1 to 9, with 9 being an expert user. There are two modules: academic and general training. Results are sent 13 days after the test.
The International English Test System, or IELTS, is a standardized test designed to measure English communication ability. The test assesses the four language skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking, with tests of grammar and vocabulary inherent in the use of the four skills. IELTS scores are organized into nine descriptive statements, with 9 representing an expert user and 1 representing someone with virtually no ability to use the language.
IELTS results are calculated by taking the average of the total of the four sub-test scores, which gives an overall band score. For example, a candidate who receives a 4.0 for listening, 3.0 for reading, 3.5 for writing, and 4.5 for speaking will receive an overall score of 3.75, which is rounded up to 4.0. If the average of the four skills ends in 0.25, it is rounded to the nearest half band; if it ends in 0.75, it is rounded to the nearest whole range. A half-band score is used to indicate strong performance for a given skill. Both the overall band score and individual skill scores are reported in the IELTS results.
There is no passing or failing IELTS. The level of acceptance depends entirely on the organization or institution judging the results. Results are sent 13 days after the test. Band scores are interpreted as follows: 9 is an expert user, 8 is a very good user, 7 is good, 6 is competent, 5 is modest, 4 is a limited user, 3 is an extremely limited user, 2 is a flashing user, 1 is not a user, and 0 means the candidate has not attempted the test. Perfect scores are converted to a band 9.
Comparing the various English tests is a bit difficult as each test has its own scoring system. A very rough guide to the most popular tests is that an IELTS 7.5 to 9 is comparable to C2 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a score of 785 to 990 on the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC), and 590 to 670 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) document. An IELTS score of 6.5-7.0 compares to C1 on the CEFR, 605-780 on the TOEIC, and 550-587 on the TOEFL. IELTS scores of 5.5 to 6.0 are equivalent to B2 on the CEFR, 605 to 780 on the TOEIC and 513 to 547 on the TOEFL.
There are two different IELTS modules to choose from depending on the candidate’s objective. The academic module is for those who want to study at university level or who want to register professionally. The general training module is for potential migrants to an English-speaking country or for studies at a lower level.
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