What Students Read
Read on to get your latest updates on Universities, Courses Offered, Student Visa Updates, and lots more!
Are you preparing for the IELTS? The International English Language Testing System is an international standardised test that evaluates the English language proficiency of non-native English language speakers. Your efforts to move abroad to study, migrate, or work have a higher chance of leading you to success with the aid of a good IELTS score. By learning how to ace your IELTS test, you can make your dream of gaining academic/professional experience in a top study destination a reality.
Before getting into the reliable IELTS exam, the IELTS scorecard or scoreboard is something that all candidates are very involved in, so how is the IELTS scale calculated, and how do calculate unique ratings in the listening and speak me sections. How to examine and write? Candidates, please study this article immediately.
Speaking of top study destinations, each of them sets a minimum required IELTS score for immigration.
COUNTRY | SCORE |
Australia | 6 |
Canada | 7 |
New Zealand | 6.5 |
UK | 4-7 |
USA | 7-8 |
There are four sections to the IELTS test and the candidate is tested on all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking, unless there is an exemption due to a disability. The IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training tests are the two that are offered..
The tests for Academic and General Training are different. The academic tests are for candidates seeking to study at university or college (undergraduate or postgraduate) or an entry into a professional institution. The general training tests are for candidates seeking to migrate to English speaking countries or for an entry into secondary institutions, colleges or education training centres. The general tests are designed to assess the candidate's proficiency in every-day, non-academic English. The IELTS Listening score scale will be the same for both test types, so both academic and general training will use the same score conversion scale. However, the IELTS Reading scale of each subject will be different, because each topic has a different difficulty level.
Duration: 30 + 10 minutes (40 questions)
The candidate must listen to four recorded texts, monologues and conversations by diverse native speakers, and write their answers to a series of questions based on the recordings. The questions will test the candidate's ability in understanding and processing ideas, opinions and facts. To put it simply, the 'purpose' behind what is said is to be understood by the candidate.This test is divided into the four sections -
Duration: 60 minutes (40 questions)
This test has multiple forms of reading questions like reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument, recognising writers' opinions, attitudes, and purpose.
This test has three long texts that are usually taken from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. The nature of the readings ranges from descriptive to analytical.
This test has three passages with varied tasks like multiple choice, identifying information, identifying writer's views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, and short-answer questions. It requires the candidate to read excerpts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks, and guidelines.
Every correct answer gets awarded 1 mark. Scores received out of 40 get converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores will then be reported in whole or half bands.
Duration: 60 minutes (2 tasks)
Academic Test
Topics in this test are based on general knowledge and understanding.
General Training Test
This consists of two tasks, which are based on general interests.
Duration: 11-14 minutes (3 tasks)
The IELTS Speaking test is a face-to-face recorded interview, designed to assess the candidate's capability to speak in English fluently. This section is divided into three tasks.
IELTS Score Overall = (Speaking Score + Listening Score + Writing Score + Reading Score)/4 |
ACADEMIC READING | GENERAL READING | LISTENING | |||
SCORE | CORRECT ANSWERS | SCORE | CORRECT ANSWERS | SCORE | CORRECT ANSWERS |
9 | 39-40 | 9 | 40 | 9 | 39-40 |
8.5 | 37-38 | 8.5 | 39 | 8.5 | 37-38 |
8 | 35-36 | 8 | 37-38 | 8 | 35-36 |
7.5 | 33-34 | 7.5 | 36 | 7.5 | 32-34 |
7 | 30-32 | 7 | 34-35 | 7 | 30-31 |
6.5 | 27-29 | 6.5 | 32-33 | 6.5 | 26-29 |
6 | 23-26 | 6 | 30-31 | 6 | 23-25 |
5.5 | 19-22 | 5.5 | 27-29 | 5.5 | 18-22 |
5 | 15-18 | 5 | 23-26 | 5 | 16-17 |
4.5 | 13-14 | 4.5 | 19-22 | 4.5 | 13-15 |
4 | 10-12 | 4 | 15-18 | 4 | 10-12 |
Decimal fraction | Rounding procedure | Example |
i < 0.25 | Round down to the preceding integer | 8.20 rounded to 8.0 |
i is between 0.25 - 0.75 | Round to 0.5 | 6.275 rounded to 6.5 5.70 rounded to 5.5 |
i = 0.75 | Round up to the next integer | 7.75 rounded to 8.0 |
For example, a candidate with score scales of 7.5 (Listening), 8 (Reading), 6.5 (Writing) and 7 (Speaking) will have a total IELTS score of 7 (29 ÷ 4 = 7.25 = 7).
SCORE | SKILL LEVEL | DESCRIPTION |
9 | EXPERT | The exam taker is proficient in the language in all practical aspects. Their use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, showing complete understanding. |
8 | VERY GOOD | The test-taker has complete command of the language, with the exception of a few accidental unsystematic errors and incorrect usage. In unfamiliar circumstances, they could misinterpret some information. They are skilled in dealing with intricate and elaborate argumentation. |
7 | GOOD | The exam taker has functional mastery of the language, however, there are occasional errors, incorrect usage, and misinterpretations in certain contexts. They typically grasp intricate thinking and can manage sophisticated language well.. |
6 | COMPETENT | Despite some errors, improper usage, and misunderstandings, the test taker has a strong command of the language. In familiar settings, they can use and comprehend pretty complex language. |
5 | MODEST | The test taker has a limited grasp of the language and can deal with overall meaning in most instances, though they are likely to make several mistakes. They should be able to handle basic communication in their own field. |
4 | LIMITED | The basic competence of the exam taker is restricted to familiar settings. They usually exhibit difficulties with comprehension and expression. They are unable to communicate in complicated language. |
3 | EXTREMELY LIMITED | In relatively familiar scenarios, the test taker merely expresses and understands generic meaning. There are frequent breakdowns in communication. |
2 | INTERMITTENT | The test taker has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
1 | NON USER | Except for a few isolated words, the test-taker is unable to use the language. |
0 | DID NOT ATTEMPT THE TEST | The test taker did not answer the questions |
Validity of IELTS Score
While it is up to each organisation to set a validity period that works for their purposes, most IELTS partners recommend a 2-year validity period for the IELTS test scores.
Your Passport to International Education! Sign Up for a Free Consultation session