IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is designed to asses language skills of non-native English speakers who wish to migrate, study or work abroad. It is required by numerous organizations in Canada, the UK, Australia, USA and many other countries across the world.

Test type
There are two types of IELTS tests: Academic and General Training. IELTS Academic test is for candidates who wish to pursue their higher studies in an English-speaking environment.

Test Format
Both Academic and General Training tests are consisted with four sections: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Listening and speaking sections are equivalent for both tests whereas reading and writing sections differ based on the test candidates take. Generally, Academic test is more advanced than the General training test.

In addition, candidates can select the paper-based IELTS or Computer delivered IELTS to take both Academic and General Training tests. Computer delivered IELTS test enables candidates to complete listening, reading and writing sections on a computer.

Listening
The candidates are required to listen to four recordings and write answers to 40 questions. The test is consisted with four sections and candidates receive 30 minutes to complete the test.

Section 1: a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context
Section 2: a monologue set in an everyday social context
Section 3: a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context
Section 4: a monologue on an academic subject (e.g. a university lecture)

Each recording is played only once and at the end of the test, candidates receive additional 10 minutes to transfer their answers to the answer sheet.

Reading
Academic test:
The test is consisted with 3 descriptive passages and a total of 40 questions to answer. The test assesses candidates reading skills (reading for gist, reading for main ideas, skimming, etc.) and texts are obtained from journals, magazines and newspapers. Candidates receive 60 minutes to complete the test.

Writing
Academic test:
The writing test is consisted with 2 tasks;

Task 1 – Describe visual information (table/chart/graph/ diagram) using 150 words
Task 2 – Write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem, using 250 words

Both tasks should be completed within 60 minutes and marks are allocated based on:
• Task achievement
• Coherence and cohesion
• Lexical resource
• Grammatical range and accuracy.

Speaking
The speaking test is comprised with an interview between the candidate and an examiner. The test is conducted for 11-14 minutes and there are 3 parts to the test:

Part 1 – Introduction and interview (the examiner asks general questions about the candidate)
Part 2 – Individual long turn (the candidate should speak at length on a given topic)
Part 3 – Two-way discussion (the examiner asks further questions which are connected to the topic of Part 2.)

Level and scores
Candidates will receive a score between 1-9 per each skill as well as an overall band score. Also, candidates might receive half scores such as 6.5 or 7.5.
Universities and colleges often demand an IELTS score of 6 or 7. However, they may also demand a minimum score in each of the 4 sections.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is designed to asses language skills of non-native English speakers who wish to migrate, study or work abroad. It is required by numerous organizations in Canada, the UK, Australia, USA and many other countries across the world.

Test type
There are two types of IELTS tests: Academic and General Training. IELTS General Training is for candidates who wish to migrate as skilled workers or who wish to conduct their secondary education.

Test Format
Both Academic and General Training tests are consisted with four sections: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Listening and speaking sections are equivalent for both tests whereas reading and writing sections differ based on the test candidates take. Generally, Academic test is more advanced than the General training test.

In addition, candidates can select the paper-based IELTS or Computer delivered IELTS to take both Academic and General Training tests. Computer delivered IELTS test enables candidates to complete listening, reading and writing sections on a computer.

Listening
The candidates are required to listen to four recordings and write answers to 40 questions. The test is consisted with four sections and candidates receive 30 minutes to complete the test.

Section 1: a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context
Section 2: a monologue set in an everyday social context
Section 3: a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context
Section 4: a monologue on an academic subject (e.g. a university lecture)

Each recording is played only once and at the end of the test, candidates receive additional 10 minutes to transfer their answers to the answer sheet.

Reading
General Training:

The test is comprised with 3 sections; section 1 and 2 with short texts and the section 3 with a long text. The texts are obtained from newspapers, notices, advertisements, handbooks, etc. The candidates are assessed for their reading skills and receive 60 minutes to complete the test.

Writing
General Training:

The writing test is consisted with 2 tasks;

Task 1 – Respond to a situation (enquire/request/describe) by writing a formal or informal letter, using 150 words
Task 2 – Write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem, using 250 words

Both tasks should be completed within 60 minutes and marks are allocated based on the above criteria.

Speaking
The speaking test is comprised with an interview between the candidate and an examiner. The test is conducted for 11-14 minutes and there are 3 parts to the test:

Part 1 – Introduction and interview (the examiner asks general questions about the candidate)
Part 2 – Individual long turn (the candidate should speak at length on a given topic)
Part 3 – Two-way discussion (the examiner asks further questions which are connected to the topic of Part 2.)

Level and scores
Candidates will receive a score between 1-9 per each skill as well as an overall band score. Also, candidates might receive half scores such as 6.5 or 7.5.
Universities and colleges often demand an IELTS score of 6 or 7. However, they may also demand a minimum score in each of the 4 sections.