Most people who study English have a desire to learn it in a natural environment, that is, abroad. And this is not surprising, because the best way to learn any language is to communicate with its speakers. In order to go live, work or study in another country, you must pass a test showing your knowledge of English.
Are you ready for IELTS?
But what about IELTS? This is what will be discussed in the article. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is an international format test, the results of which are accepted by universities in many countries of the world. For example, passing this test will help enroll in educational institutions in countries such as the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and even some countries in South Africa. There are about six thousand such educational institutions around the world. In addition, this test will also be a huge advantage and will help you find work in countries such as Denmark, Italy, Brazil, etc.
Structure
There are two types of exams. The first is academic (Academic IELTS). This type of exam is taken by those who want to enter foreign universities and temporarily reside in the country. The second is general (General Training IELTS). It is intended for those who want to go abroad for permanent residence.
Testing itself lasts 2 hours 45 minutes. It is built in such a way that it covers all aspects of learning English, namely:
- listening (listening perception);
- reading;
- letter;
- colloquial speech.
The maximum number of points that can be obtained on the exam is 9.0. For admission to foreign universities, the passing grade usually varies from 6.0 to 9.0. But it is worth keeping in mind that each educational institution has the right to set its own criteria for the selection of students. And this applies not only to the total score for the IELTS exam, but also to individual points for various aspects of the language. So, for example, a passing grade at one of the universities of the United States of America may be 7.0, but at the same time in the "letter" section you need to get a minimum of 6.5 points. Therefore, when preparing for the exam, be sure to specify how many points (in total and separately by sections) are required for admission to the institution of your choice.
Now we will analyze each section (module) of the exam separately in order to understand how IELTS is passed.
Listening
The exam always starts with the Listening section. Thirty minutes are allotted for this task. The conditions for fulfillment are the same both for those who pass the academic option, and for the general exam. You are given forty questions that will need to be answered already while listening to the text. Time for preparation is not provided. Text is listened only once. As you listen, you answer forty questions. After listening, you will be given ten minutes to check and enter your answers in the table. Listening itself can be formally divided into several parts. It begins with light everyday topics, dialogues between family members or classmates. With each new part, the complexity will increase. This is done in order to tune the examiner in the right way.
Reading
The next section (module) is “reading” (Reading). Sixty minutes are allotted to complete the assignments from this section. It is necessary to read the texts and answer forty questions. It should be noted that different texts are given for the academic and general exam. Academic (Academic IELTS) option is a bit more complicated than the general one. It contains three texts, each of which contains about 1000-1500 words. Texts taken from specialized sources, newspapers or magazines. Descriptions of graphs, charts, tables are possible. Or perhaps you will need to read about climate change at the South Pole and in the assignments supplement sentences with the necessary vocabulary. While in the general test you will be given three texts on a common topic. The academic version of the exam is more complicated due to the fact that according to its results a decision is made whether you are able to study at a university in another country or not.
Writing
Sixty minutes are also given to the section (module) "writing! (Writing). As in reading, tasks are divided depending on the type of test. For an academic, you must do:
- Analysis, description of a graph, table or graphic drawing. You must write 150 words.
- Composition of 250 words.
For a general test, assignments are a little easier, reminds our exam. A letter of 150 words and an essay on a given topic of 250 words.
Speaking
And the last section (module) is Speaking. Usually this section is rented out on a separate day from all other sections. This part of the exam lasts eleven to fourteen minutes and is a three-part interview with the teacher. The first part is the simplest. You get to know the teacher and speak on general topics. Checked by IELTS life skills. After that, you select a card from those offered to you. Each card contains a topic that you will need to reveal within one minute. This part of the assignment provides a monologue. And finally, the third part of this module. It is a dialogue that you have with a teacher on a given topic. All your conversations are recorded on the recorder and then will be considered by an independent commission. Do not think that the teacher listened to you and immediately put you a mark. This is fundamentally wrong. Therefore, feel confident that all your words and phrases are clearly written.
For a better understanding, below is a graph of all sections of the exam.
IELTS Points
Exam results are evaluated separately in each section on a scale from 0 to 9.0 points. Then the arithmetic mean is displayed, and this is the final score. 0 points can be obtained only if you do not attend the exam.
Assessment of language skills and obtaining IELTS scores occurs in accordance with the following scale:
- Did not attempt the test: this score can be obtained if the examinee appeared for the exam, but did not even start it.
- None user: knows only a few English words, cannot apply them.
- Intermittent user: knowledge of only some common phrases and words, inability to communicate in English. Problems understanding both spoken and written speech.
- Extremely limited user: understands the general meaning, cannot communicate.
- Limited user: can communicate in familiar and familiar situations. With a slight deviation, difficulties arise in understanding.
- Modest user: can support communication, but with a huge number of errors.
- Competent user: simple communication takes place with a clear understanding and few errors. In more complex situations, errors, misunderstandings and inaccuracies are possible.
- Good user: speaks the language, despite minor inaccuracies.
- Very good user: fully speaks the language, but inaccuracies and errors can rarely occur.
- Expert user: full command of the language.
Where to turn in?
The exam is taken by several organizations in the city of Moscow and in their branches throughout Russia. List of organizations:
- British Council.
- Examination Board at Cambridge University.
- Australian government organization IDP Education Australia.
If you live in Moscow, you can contact any office of one of these organizations. They will write you a check and indicate which documents are required to pass the exam. If you do not live in the capital, then the same information can be obtained by telephone. There are no specific exam days. The exam date is set after a sufficient group of people is recruited.
Process
How to rent IELTS? The exam will need to be allocated all day. Despite the fact that, according to the rules, it lasts 2.5 hours, you will need approximately 7.5 hours. After all, when passing the exam, you must take into account breaks, time for the distribution of material, explanation of the rules. There is no break between the first and second parts. After the second part, you will be given a break of twenty minutes. At this time, you can eat or just take a walk. By the way, bringing food and drinks to the exam is not prohibited, but it’s better not to do this, so as not to be distracted. After writing the third part, there is also a break before the oral module. Sometimes the oral part of the exam is prescribed the next day, but recently it is extremely rare.
Pay attention to how IELTS is handed over. This exam does not take the test online. Surrender takes place only in the classroom under supervision. Therefore, if you live in remote parts of the country, you will need to come to the place where the exam is taken. If for some reason you were unable to appear on the appointed day for the exam, then within two months you will have the opportunity to pass it or return fifty percent of the cost. If you missed the exam for illness and you have a document confirming this, then you can return all one hundred percent of the cost.
The exam itself can be taken an unlimited number of times if you are unhappy with your result. But it is worth remembering that the test results are only valid for two years! After this time, you will need to re-confirm your status and receive a new IELTS certificate. Your results will be known in two weeks. They can be found online by entering all the necessary data and passing the verification, and they will also be sent to you by mail. In addition, the results can be found out personally by coming to the office of the company. Please note that they are not notified by phone, fax or email. Get your IELTS certificate only you can personally.
Training
You can prepare for the IELTS exam, as with any other, in a variety of ways. First of all, you need to understand that everyone should do this. For preparation, for example, for the Intermediate level, it will take from three to twelve months, depending on the intensity of the classes. You can prepare yourself, in individual lessons with a teacher, in group classes in foreign language schools or specialized schools in preparation for international exams. Of course, the best way, especially for the oral part, is to spend several months in the country of the language being studied. When communicating with native speakers, you will remove the language barrier and significantly increase your vocabulary.
IELTS Preparation Materials
If you do not have the opportunity to hire a teacher, then you can train yourself. Specialized literature developed by British teachers, very clearly and consistently helps prepare for the exam. This literature can be used both independently and with a teacher in the classroom. Literature takes into account IELTS levels.
Examples of specialized literature:
- Grammar for IELTS by Cambrige. The Cambridge official publication, which focuses on the grammar necessary for passing the exam.
- Objective IELTS by Cambrige. This course is designed for people who already have an advanced level of language. The book covers twenty topics that will help to develop all the skills necessary for passing the exam at once.
- Step Up to IELTS by Cambrige. This tutorial is suitable for those whose level is below advanced. Namely Intermidiate and Upper Intermidiate. A short course that helps to understand the structure in general and contributes to the transition to the next level.
- Vocabulary for IELTS by Cambrige. Cambridge official publication, which includes the necessary vocabulary for the exam. This is not just a dictionary, here you can also find many exercises to study this vocabulary. In this case, you can select any IELTS levels.
- Instant IELTS by Cambrige. This is not an ordinary boring textbook with dry facts. It is filled with role-playing games, situations from life and other exciting tasks. Such a textbook is hardly suitable for independent study, but for working in groups - just right.
- Cambridge IELTS by Cambrige. The newest edition, which contains four complete tests of the Academic module and additional parts of the General module.
IELTS Benefits
If you still think about taking or not passing the IELTS exam, we will highlight for you a number of its advantages:
- Exam results are taken in the vast majority of countries.
- The ability to choose the test that you need - Academic or General. It all depends on the goal that you pursue.
- The ability to take the exam an unlimited number of times.
- Testing the knowledge of students at any level of IELTS.
- Anyone can take this exam.