IELTS is a standardized, multi-part test that assesses proficiency in English. There are two versions: Academic and General Trading. The test is divided into four parts and scored on a nine-band system. Candidates can retake the test an unlimited number of times after a 90-day waiting period.
IELTS stands for “International English Language Testing System”. It is a standardized, multi-part test designed to comprehensively assess an examiner’s proficiency in the English language. The British Council, Cambridge ESOL and IDP: IELTS Australia co-own the test and developed it in 1989. Many companies around the world require foreign applicants to take the IELTS test before accepting them as an employee.
There are two versions of the test: the Academic version and the General Trading version. The academic version is generally for people who want to attend college at foreign universities, especially in English-speaking countries. The General Trading version of the test is offered to anyone looking for job opportunities, training courses and high school abroad. It is also recommended to migrate individuals and families to take this type of exam. The speaking and listening test components are identical in the two versions of IELTS and reg, but the reading and writing parts are different.
Registrants are free to choose their exam date as exams are taken 20 times or more in a year. The IELTS test is divided into four parts, all with time restrictions. About 30 minutes are allotted for listening, one hour each for reading and writing, and the speaking parts last 11 to 14 minutes. Depending on test centres, the first three parts of the test are completed in one session, while the Speaking part of the test is taken seven days later. In short, the entire test lasts two hours and 45 minutes.
All tests go through a computerized scanner to produce accurate results. Results are analyzed and scored based on a nine-band scoring system. The four parts of the test are individually scored, marked by numbers from one to nine. The test is only used to assess English proficiency, so it does not really determine whether the candidate passed or failed. It is up to the company or organization to set its own standards and minimum grade requirement to qualify an examiner as a “pass”.
Candidates who are not satisfied with their test results can take the IELTS test again an unlimited number of times. A 90-day waiting period, however, is required before taking the test again. For those who wish to study and prepare in advance, the system also provides official IELTS practice materials, which include test samples and additional tips on how to take the test effectively.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
