Introducing IELTS Academic

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System.

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Devised in Cambridge UK, IELTS is now used by all the English speaking countries of the world including the USA (which previously recognised only TOEIC). So if you come from a non-English speaking country and are hoping to work or study in the UK, US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, it is highly likely that you will be required to attain a specified level in IELTS.

Scores

Technically, there is no Pass or Fail in IELTS which merely rates the proficiency of each candidate on a scale of 1 - 9, with band 9 being a native speaker level. However, practically, if your chosen place of study or work demands a band of 6, or 7, and you don't reach that level, it will feel as though you've failed to achieve your goal.

The tests for Listening and Reading are scored out of 40, which is then converted to the IELTS band system.

What the Band scores mean about your English abilities

9 Expert user: has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.

8 Very good user: has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.

7 Good user: has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.

6 Competent user: has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

5 Modest user: has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.

4 Limited user: basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.

3 Extremely limited user: conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

2 Intermittent user: no real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.

1 Non-user: essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

0 Did not attempt the test: No assessable information provided.

Tests

Like TOEIC, IELTS tests 4 parts of the English language: Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking.

There are two tests: General Training; and Academic.

If you are applying to study at a university or seeking a professional position of employment, you will need to apply yourself to the latter, Academic. There is actually very little difference between the two tests (only a slightly different written question), so the advice on this site concentrates on the Academic.

The tests are usually carried out monthly in major cities of countries where emigrants are on the move. For example, in the Philippines, testing is carried out in Manila, Cebu and Davao, the three largest cities in the country which are also conveniently spaced in the north, centre and south of the archipelago.

The first three parts of the test (Listening, Reading and Writing) are carried out back-to-back, while the Speaking test is usually on a separate day because it is a one-on-one with the examiner. In the Philippines, the only authorities which can test and score IELTS are the British Council and the Australian IDP.

UK-specific

If you make a visa application to stay or move to the UK, you need to be aware of changes made by United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Register for UK Visas and Immigration and IELTS Life Skills

Register here for "IELTS for UKVI" and IELTS Life Skills at the test locations selected by the UK government.

You must confirm at the time of registration that you wish to use your test result for a UK visa application.

You must sit the test in an “IELTS for UKVI” test session, as UKVI will not accept results from all IELTS tests offered at these locations.

Unsure of your proficiency? Try the evaluation tests on the download (linked below) and find out how you are likely to score in IELTS once you have learned the techniques required for the actual exam.

To find out more about my full online IELTS 7.00 Academic course (see below), contact me via FB, my email ([email protected]), or Linked-in.