IELTS (International English
    Language Testing System) Overview

    IELTS is a world wide accepted testing methodology
    to assess the capability of a student to handle
    English Language.

    It is respected for its international diversity and fair
    to anyone to attend the test, in spite of nationality.

    IELTS tests are conducted at IELTS centres
    authorised by British Council,IDP:IELTS Australia
    & Cambridge ESOL Examinations.

    There are more than 500 test centres world wide
    which conduct this exams up to four times a month.
    The standard ,quality and procedures for taking test
    is same in all these test centres.

    There are 2 types of IELTS Tests : Academic and
    General Training depending on the requirement of
    candidate.

    IELTS (Academic) : For candidates who generally
    plans to pursue studies. For migrants,only a few
    Profession calls for IELTS (Academic). It is generally
    considered that IELTS(Academic) is tougher than
    IELTS (General). A migrant who is interested in work
    & migration Visa and then pursue higher studies in a
    foreign nation can opt for IELTS(Academic).This will
    reduce the cost of attending IELTS (General) and
    then IELTS (Academic) to meet the admission
    requirements.

    IELTS (General) : For candidates who plans to work
    in foreign countries or get membership or
    recognition from foreign skill testing agencies. Some
    High Schools accept IELTS (General).
    Anyway,we request the candidate to choose the
    type of test based on the requirements of the
    institution which you are applying for.

    There are 4 sections in IELTS exam.

    1)        Speaking
    2)        Listening
    2)        Reading
    3)        Writing

    The results from these 4 sections are graded on the
    unique IELTS 9 - Band scale.The test covers the
    full range of ability from non-user to expert user.
    There is no restriction on number of attempts.
    Growing influence of IELTS















    Global Test Takers
    List of Top IELTS Takers around the world

    Top Test Takers ( No. of Candidates) IELTS(Academic)
    •        China
    •        India
    •        Great Britain
    Top Test Takers ( No. of Candidates) IELTS ( General)
    •        Pakistan
    •        India
    •        China
    Countries with Highest Average Score-IELTS(Academic)
    •        Malaysia
    •        Germany
    •        Philippines
    •        Russia
    •        Hong Kong
    Highest Average Score  by First Language –IELTS (Academic)
    •        Tagalong (Philippines)
    •        Spanish (Spain)
    •        Hindi (India)
    •        Malay (Malaysia)
    •        Tamil (India)
Year
 Major Events
2005
  • Computerised version of IELTS
  • Change in assessment criteria for writing test
2001
  • Revision of Speaking test based on recommendations
    from Revision Study constituted in 1998
1998
  • Revision Study for Speaking Test
1995
  • The 3 field-specific Reading and Writing Modules were
    replaced with ONE Academic Reading Module and
    ONE Academic Writing Module.General Training
    Reading and Writing Modules were brought into line
    with the Academic Reading and Writing Modules in
    terms of timing allocation, length of written responses
    and reporting of scores.
1989
  • Implementation of new format based on ELTS revision
    project.ELTS became IELTS.
  • From 1989 IELTS candidates took two non-
    specialised modules, Listening and Speaking, and
    two specialised modules, Reading and Writing.In
    specialised module candidates could choose subject
    with limited choice such Physical Science and
    Technology ,Life and Medical Sciences,Business
    Studies and Social Sciences.
1987
  • British Council and UCLES conducted a validation
    study on ELTS under the supervision of Edinberg
    University. ELTS Revision Project was mainly to
    reduce the number of test items and the time taken to
    complete the test. It was constituted under the
    academic direction of Professor Charles Alderson of
    Lancaster University.
  • Another major development was partnership formed
    between British Council UCLES (Cambridge ESOL) to
    broaden international participation,and it became
    truely international.
  • ELTS Revision project recommended simplification of
    ELTS and reduction in modules without compromising
    "maximum predictive power & practicality".
1980
  • Formed as English Language Testing Service (ELTS)
    in UK  by replacing age old English Proficiency Test
    Battery (EPTB),which used to screen international
    students for admission to foreign universities.
  • It had 6 Modules and Each candidate was required to
    take three sections module and two common tests in
    the General section.

    Why all attempt IELTS ?

    IELTS is a test which measures 4 language skills of
    a candidate and compare it with requiremens on a 9-
    Band Scale.
    Listening ,Reading & Writing is done at one single
    sitting .The speaking test is a face-to-face interview
    with a IELTS Certified Examiner..
    IELTS is proven to evaluate the real and well-
    rounded english of a candidate developed over a
    period of time than a English learned through a
    grammer book.
    More than 6000 organisations ,including many
    government departments and universities ,rely on
    IELTS to decide on the capability of candidate in
    using English Language in Real Life situations.
Listening
 4 sections , 40 questions , 30
minutes
Reading ( Academic
/General)
 3 sections , 40 questions , 60
minutes
Writing ( Academic
/General)
 3 sections , 40 questions , 60
minutes
Speaking
 11 to 14 minutes of face to face
interview.
IELTS Exam ...In a Nutshell
    IELTS Test Quality

    The IELTS Score is reported in a 9 band scale.It is
    secure ,proven ,understood and accepted worldwide.

    The IELTS Examiners are fully qualified ,certified and
    followed IELTS Standardized testing around worldwide.
    They are trained,monitored and evaluated by the
    IELTS every 2 years.

    All test centres are managed by British Council,IDP:
    Australia or idependent agencies under the
    supervision of British Council,IDP:Austraila and
    Cambridge ESOL.

    Organisations,employers and Universities can verify
    the IELTS test reports for free to safeguard against
    fraudulent report forms.

    IELTS Test Details


    Candidates are advised to keep up the time limit
    during practice sections.

    Special Consideration for
    Candidates with Physical Disability

    Special Consideration is given to candidates who
    has physical disability. Test centres will provide
    necessary arrangement to the candidate.A medical
    certificate is required to submit and before
    applying, a discussion with test centre is required for
    assessing the needs.
    The test centres considers visual, hearing and
    writing difficulties.

    Following are the facilities given to candidates who
    has physical disability.

    1. Enlarged print and Brailled test papers, an
    amanuensis to write answers, a Braille word-
    processor – for those with visual difficulties.

    2. Special amplification equipment, lip-reading
    version of the Listening module – for those with
    hearing difficulties.

    3. Extra time for the Reading and Writing modules,
    use of a word processor – for those with learning
    difficulties (eg dyslexia).

    The final authority to sanction the special
    consideration rests with the Test centre.
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