The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is intended for those who wish to work, study or migrate to a country where English is the native language. So if you want to move to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, or the USA for any of these reasons, you will have to take this test. IELTS score has a high rate of acceptance among universities, schools, colleges, employers, and immigration bodies in these countries.
Every year millions of people take IELTS around the world. To be able to live, work or study in a country where English is the language of communication, you need a high proficiency level in the language. Your skills will serve to indicate how quickly you will be able to adapt yourself to the new environment. From everyday chores to official work, communication is key to doing anything successfully. So the better you are at effectively using English to communicate, the more likely you are to settle down comfortably in a foreign land.
There are 4 assessment tests in IELTS: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. The tests have a 9 band scoring system. The sectional test results are reported on the 1-9 band scale, where 9 denotes an expert user and 1 indicates a non-user. The overall band score is the average band score of the 4 tests.
All About IELTS Exam
There are 2 kinds of IELTS: the IELTS Academic test for study abroad aspirants and the IELTS General Training test for immigration and work. So, based on your need, you have to select your IELTS test. The reading and writing tests are different for Academic and General Training. The Academic test has topics suitable for those aspiring to pursue higher education in a university or a professional institution. The General Training test contains topics based on general interest. When it comes to the IELTS Listening and Speaking tests, regardless of the type, they are the same.
The Reading, Writing, and Listening sections are all held on the same day, one after the other. Speaking section, however, can be completed up to a week before or after the other tests. The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. IELTS on Paper and IELTS on Computer are the two ways in which you can take the test. The exam fee for IELTS is Rs. 14,700. It is held up to 4 times a month and you can book your test date on the official IELTS website.
The IELTS evaluation process is highly trusted by employers, education institutes, and immigration bodies around the world. A high band score on the test will surely help you to make the right impression. Usually, 2 to 3 months of prep time is needed for IELTS. To make the most of it, you need to have a proper study plan in place that will ensure you regularly use the language in one way or the other.
Tips for Success in IELTS
IELTS will assess your English language reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. These are the four areas you need to work on to ensure a high band score in this exam. The one practice that you need to seriously adopt is to use English on a daily basis. It could be through maintaining a journal, conversations, watching movies, listening to music, etc. The language has to be used in all the activities.
To increase your IELTS score in each of the 4 areas of assessment, you need to first identify your strengths and weaknesses. Your writing skills can be better than your speaking ability. You might find it easier to write 250 words essay than holding a conversation only in English. So, a personal assessment is critical. Here are some recommended activities to help you improve your skills in this language:
- Read an English newspaper every day
- Build your vocabulary
- Work on your grammar
- Pronounce words carefully
- Solve crossword puzzles
- Watch movies or web series to learn commonly used phrases
- Read aloud to identify mistakes
As with any other language, the more you use it, the better you will get at it. So, engage in some form of activity every day where you will need to use English. Your fluency and your ability to express through writing or speaking will only improve if you make a habit of daily using the language.
Preparing for IELTS
For IELTS preparation, you can use its official preparatory resources, available on its website. From sample papers question papers to practice materials, the website will give you access to everything. It's important to go through these thoroughly in order to familiarize yourself with the format of the exam and the pattern of the question paper. From the number of questions to be attempted to the time allotted for answering each section, you need to know it all.
While you may be able to prepare for the exam on your own, taking English classes to improve your IELTS score should not be left out of consideration. You can expect an experienced IELTS coach to share valuable tips to help you achieve your desired score. The British Council offers preparatory courses for IELTS. You can opt to attend these classes with other aspirants. If your level of English language skills is average, taking the classes will help.
If you don't want to learn in a group, you can also opt for private lessons. You can find IELTS coaching near me on web portals like Superprof. Guidance from a private IELTS tutor would mean individual attention. The pace of the sessions can be tailored according to your preference. In one-to-one sessions, the tutor will be able to focus totally on you. You will get instant feedback from them for any practice task you complete, which in turn will help to improve your preparation.
IELTS for Studying Abroad
If you are planning to pursue higher education abroad you need to take the IELTS Academic test. But before that, you need to find out the minimum IELTS scores of universities you've shortlisted for admission. To become eligible for admission, you need to have this score. But to increase your chance of acceptance at the university of your choice, you need to score higher than the minimum score that it has set.
IELTS scores are accepted by most of the universities in countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, etc. where English is the native language. Since the medium of instruction at educational institutions there would be English, it's important that you know the language sufficiently well. Your IELTS score will indicate your proficiency level and thereby your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in the language.
So, when you sit for your exam, you have to bear in mind the band score that you must get to be deemed eligible for admission. Given below are some top-ranking universities around the world that accept IELTS scores:
- United States of America - Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, Harvard University
- The United Kingdom - Oxford University, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London
- Canada - University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University
- Australia - University of Melbourne, Australian National University, University of Sydney
IELTS for Living Abroad
If you are planning to immigrate to an English-speaking country, you have to take the IELTS General Training test. This will indicate your proficiency level in the language. Knowing the native language of the foreign country means that you will be able to quickly integrate with the community living there. The test score will be required by immigration bodies to understand whether you will be able to adjust to your new environment.
You can ensure a high score IELTS only through regular practice. Your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills must be up to the mark. If your proficiency level is in the range of average to good, give yourself a couple of months to prepare for the exam. The IELTS core required for immigration will vary from country to country. So, you will need to find out the band score for the test applicable to you based on where you want to move.
Every year millions of people all over the world take IELTS. Settling abroad brings with it a lot of excitement. There are better economic prospects to explore. Canada for instance is one of the most popular destinations for Indian immigrants. With the right kind of preparation, you can secure the required IELTS band score that will help you in your immigration process.
Preparation for the IELTS exam cannot be done overnight. Make a proper plan so that you can comfortably prepare for it. Test-takers are recommended to take the IELTS Progress Check before booking the final exam date. These are official practice tests available on the IELTS website for aspirants. This paid service is highly beneficial, as it will help you to assess your preparation. A detailed feedback report will be sent with indicative band scores for each test.
While you may be already using English in your daily life, the IELTS test will assess how correctly you can do it. So if you are planning to sit for the test, start preparing early. A high band score in this exam can bring exciting opportunities your way. It's time to get cracking!
Prepare for your exams with online IELTS coaching on Superprof!
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
