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2 TABLE OF CONTENTS About IELTS... 3 IELTS Test Formats... 3 How to interpret IELTS band score?... 4 How to register for IELTS?... 4 IELTS Test Fee... 5 IELTS Results... 5 IELTS Paper Pattern... 5 Listening... 5 Reading (Academic)... 6 Reading (General Training)... 7 Writing (Academic)... 8 Writing (General Training)... 8 Speaking... 9 Preparation tips for IELTS... 9 Common mistakes made by students Careers360 Page 2

3 About IELTS IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a standardized international English test to check the proficiency of the language. The exam is conducted jointly by IDP Education Private limited, the British Council and University of Cambridge ESOL Examination. This test is taken by the people who want to work or study in an English speaking country. FAST FACTS IELTS is accepted in more than 6,000 organizations across the globe that includes universities, immigration authorities, employers etc. In the United States alone, more than 3,000 academic institutions accept IELTS More than 125 countries conduct IELTS examination every year IELTS is conducted up to four times a week in certain countries Usually the test is conducted on Thursdays and Saturdays IELTS Test Formats The IELTS examination comes in two different formats: Academic Academic format is for the candidates who want to pursue further or higher education in an English speaking country. The students who go abroad for undergraduate and post graduate studies should take the Academic format. General training This format is for those who go to an English speaking country for work experience, secondary education or training programmes. The candidates who aim at migrating to the countries like New Zealand, Canada and Australia must take this form of test. What you want to do? I want to go for post graduate studies in an English speaking country I want to join a professional organization in an English speaking country The test format for you Academic I want to immigrate to an English speaking country I want to study a below graduate course I want to undertake a training in an English speaking country General Training Careers360 Page 3

4 How to interpret IELTS band score? The final score of the test is known as Band Score that is calculated on a scale from 0 to 9. The IELTS band score scale is given below: Band Score Interpretation 9 Expert User 8 Very Good User 7 Good User 6 Competent User 5 Modest User 4 Limited User 3 Extremely Limited User 2 Intermittent User 1 Non User 0 Did not attempt the test How to register for IELTS? Follow the below given seven steps to register for IELTS: Step 1 Find out the nearest IELTS test centre in your locality. Get the test dates of the centre and note down the application deadlines. Step 2 Confirm the test format that you need to take (Academic or General training) Step 3 Click here to take the print out of the IELTS application form. Read the terms and conditions carefully and complete the application form. Make sure that you have given a valid postal address in the form. Some centres offer online application for the test. In that case, the candidate needs to go to the official website and apply online. Step 4 Get two passport size photographs (not older than six months). You must not wear glasses while taking the photograph and it needs to be taken against a white background. Step 5 Take the photocopy of your passport (both front and back pages) Careers360 Page 4

5 Step 6 If you want to send your results directly to the universities, include the correct details of the institutes Step 7 Visit your test centre with the completed application form and test fees. The candidates can also pay online or using the debit/ credit card. IELTS Test Fee INR 8900 for all test dates till 30th June 2013 INR 9300 for all test dates from 1st July 2013 IELTS Results The students will get the IELTS results after 13 days of the test. To view the results, the candidates need visit British Council official website and provide the below given information: Test date Date o birth Identification document number Candidate number The British Council will send the Test Report Form (TRF) to the candidate by post 13 days after the test. If the candidate is unhappy about the results, he/she can retake the test as many times as possible. Listening IELTS Paper Pattern 30 minutes plus 10 minutes to transfer the answers to the answer sheet Number of questions 40 Type of questions Number of sections/parts Multiple choice Matching Form completion Map/ diagram/ plan labelling Table completion Flow chart completion Sentence completion Summary completion Short- answer questions Four sections: Careers360 Page 5

6 Section 1: Conversation between two people related to a normal daily activity such as finding an accommodation or getting a library card Section 2: A monologue where a person explains about a common issue or speaks about a topic such as the need of parks in residence area Section 3: A conversation between four people on an academic topic Section 4: A monologue on an academic topic Understanding factual information and main ideas Recognizing options Understanding the development of an argument Identifying various pronunciations Marks Score out of 40. One mark for each correct answer. No negative marking Conversion of listening score to band score Score on 40 Band Score Reading (Academic) 60 minutes Number of questions 40 Type of questions Number of sections/parts Multiple choice Identifying information Identifying writer s views Matching information Matching headings Matching sentence endings Sentence completion Summary completion Diagram label completion Short answer questions Three sections (2,150 to 2,750 words) Reading for gist Reading for main ideas Reading for details Understanding inferences Recognizing writer s opinion and attitude Careers360 Page 6

7 Marks Score out of 40. One mark for each correct answer. No negative marking Conversion of reading score to band score (Academic) Score on 40 Band Score Reading (General Training) 60 minutes Number of questions 40 Type of questions Number of sections/parts Multiple choice Identifying information Identifying writer s views Matching information Matching headings Matching sentence endings Sentence completion Summary completion Diagram label completion Short answer questions Three sections Section 1: Two to three texts that contains factual information about a general topic Section 2: Two or three texts that contain information about the general issues that come across in an English speaking country Section 3: A long text on a topic that is of common interest Marks Reading for gist Reading for main ideas Reading for details Understanding inferences Recognizing writer s opinion and attitude Score out of 40. One mark for each correct answer. No negative marking Conversion of reading score to band score (General Training) Score on Careers360 Page 7

8 Band Score Writing (Academic) Number of tasks 60 minutes Two tasks Task 1: The candidate needs to explain a diagram, graph or illustration and explain the information given in the same Task 2: The candidate needs to write an essay explaining his/ her viewpoint to a point or argument given as the topic Marks Writing ability Organization of ideas Compare the data and present effectively Present and justify an opinion Compare and contrast evidence Evaluate and challenge ideas, argument or evidence Assessment is based on four criteria: Writing (General Training) Task achievement/ response Coherence and cohesion Lexical resource Grammatical range and accuracy Number of tasks 60 minutes Two tasks Task 1: The candidate is presented with a situation and asked to write a letter seeking information or explaining the situation. The letter could be formal or informal. Task 2: The candidate needs to write an essay t an argument or point of view that is more personal in nature as compared to Academic module Marks Writing ability Organization of ideas Ability to provide information in an engaging mode Express opinion Evaluate and challenge ideas Outline a problem and suggest a solution Assessment is based on four criteria: Task achievement/ response Coherence and cohesion Careers360 Page 8

9 Lexical resource Grammatical range and accuracy Speaking Number of parts 11 to 14 minutes Three parts in which the candidate will have a face-to-face interaction with the examiner Marks Part 1 (4-5 minutes): This is the general introduction part where the candidate introduces himself/ herself to the examiner Part 2 (3-4 minutes): In this part, the examiner gives the candidate a score card with a topic to speak on. The candidate will get some time to prepare points. Part 3 (4-5 minutes): This part consists of a discussion between the examiner and the candidate on the topic. Ability to communicate opinions and information on a general topic Answering a range of questions Ability to speak at length Ability to express opinion and justify it Assessment is based on four criteria as per IELTS Speaking Test Band Description: Fluency and coherence Lexical resource Grammatical range and accuracy Pronunciation Preparation tips for IELTS IELTS is the only test of this type which has a face-to-face speaking test, which enables test-takers to show their skills in real-life interactions. Say no to learning by rote Often there are perfect bits of writing, which test-takers have memorised, and very incorrect bits which are clearly the test-takers true level, making it very obvious to the examiner. This is a serious mistake that can backfire because examiners are trained to look for memorised essays or scripts. When an individual memorises chunks of language without a context, there is very little flexibility to fit new or unfamiliar situations. How must you learn? To learn a language really well, it would be ideal to have as much exposure to it as possible. So, a word of advice would be to read and listen to English as much as possible as this will also help with the skills of writing and speaking. Careers360 Page 9

10 Tips to prepare for each section Listening and Reading Read questions carefully first, underline keywords and then answers While listening, make a note of answers on the question paper Read, write and listen at the same time Often the speaker will give you an answer, then correct themselves - watch out for this If you think the topic is difficult or the speaker is too fast, relax and tune in Writing Highlight/circle keywords in the questions Plan your answer before you write Stick to the topic One paragraph = one idea Make sure you write at least the minimum number of words required Make sure there is time to check spelling, punctuation and grammar Speaking Try to relax, listen carefully to the examiner s questions & instructions. Give full answers to the questions. Aim to speak more than the examiner. Use the preparation time to plan your talk. A few general tips... Before the test, practise speaking for full 2 minutes and try to use all of this time in your turn. Spelling is important Use of informal language, abbreviations and slang is not acceptable Don t leave blank answers you do not lose marks for wrong answers, but you will if you do not try at all Whatever happens, don t panic. Keep calm and do your best Common mistakes made by students 1. Preparing by rote method 2. Focusing only on the test rather than improving English skills. A wide exposure to English is recommended, not just narrowly focusing on test items 3. Not managing time well, especially in reading. It s essential to get an overall understanding and be able to scan for specific information (also important to transfer answers to the answer sheet within the given time) 4. Not answering all parts of the question in speaking and writing parts. It is essential to really listen and focus on each part of the question or topic, as missing one part will mean you did not answer the question completely, and thus cause loss of marks The students can download IELTS practice papers for free! Click here to download now! Careers360 Page 10