Dear Students,

You all might be acquainted with the terminology IELTS, especially if you are considering working and studying in a different language from your native one.
Let’s call it by name, The International English Language Testing System (IELTS). This test helps you study and prepare for a new study system where English is the native language. This test is valid and required in many countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA.

Why are you taking the IELTS test?

The test is created for non-native speakers looking to study abroad with an English schooling system that might be different from any other schooling system in the countries not mentioned above. The way you write essays, listen, read and speak can be an overwhelming challenge if you don’t prepare yourself right.

The test is based on four pillars:

• Speaking
• Writing
• Reading
• Listening

This assessment will help you develop skills you need to study and take your degree in the best way possible, without also stressing about learning a new language. It will give you the type of preparation that will grant you the serenity to study and focus on classwork without struggling.

IELTS academic and general test? There are two types of IELTS tests, and once done, the test is valid for the next two years.

The two tests have different outcomes

General Test: If you need to move to an English-speaking country and learn survival skills to work and socialise, this test is perfect for you.
Academic Test: This test helps you to study in the UK or any other country with the same or similar schooling system and allows you to join university. IELTS is accepted by over 8,000 universities, employers, and immigration organisations worldwide as an entry requirement.

Test Ranking: The test will give the student a 1-9 depending on how good they did, with 9 being the highest score. Each score has a pre-set evaluation. You can reach the final score with whole or half points.

• Band 0 – 2: The student didn’t attend the course, or if they did, their basic level of communication is not enough to sustain a study regimen in a different language.
• Band 3 – 5: The student has a general understanding and communication skills but cannot use complex language that they will encounter if they study in a different language on higher education topics.
• Band 6 – 8: There are some inaccuracies, but the student can use and understand complex language and handle complex argumentation well.
• Band 9: Fluent and competent understanding of the English language.

How difficult is the test?

The test categories and topics might sound easy for those who have already mastered the English language and feel they can speak and write to pass a basic English test. However, don’t be fooled by the sections of the test. There are tricks and traps and typology of writing that the test requires that might be different from what the student is used to. For example, the way they ask you to write a short essay is different from how articles are written in other countries; they need facts and statements and no subjective assumptions to be misled easily. Attend the courses to prepare for the exam, ask the right questions, and take the test for granted.

What does an IELTS test look like?

As explained before, the test is divided into four categories; listening, reading, writing, and speaking, and lasts three hours. The test starts with the listening section, which lasts approximately 40 minutes, where the students need to answer questions about what they are hearing. Then the reading and writing are one hour each, and the students are given a text to analyse and a topic to the argument for the writing section. The last part of the exam is about speaking with a native speaker about a topic of their liking, and the conversation usually lasts 15 minutes. You will receive the test results after two weeks.

HOW TO APPLY

Find your nearest IELTS location. Many councils and schools provide this test, so it’s a matter of finding the place where to take and apply for the test in your city. Suggestion, the British council, might always have this option to register. Provide documentation and download the form to use.
Link here: https://www.ielts.org/-/media/pdfs/application-form.ashx

WHAT TO STUDY

You will be given an IELTS book to study, and there are many practice tests online that you can do to exercise. Study the book and the test format and then use the practice test to train. It looks a lot like the written driving test. The more practice you do, the better you will be at the exam. In addition, be mindful of time restraints from one task to the other, one preparing for the exam; it is helpful to time yourself and makes sure you can do all the functions in the time given.

DRESS CODE

Casual smart, you don’t need to wear a suit and tie but make sure to look professional and smart.

SEND YOUR RESULTS

It depends on how you make your application to the universities of your choice. If it’s directly through the university portal, upload the application on the registration or send the results by email. You can request the results during the registration process or after receiving your score post-exam. The portal UKAS is mainly used to apply for five universities of the student’s choice in the UK. The platform handles all the applications, and by uploading the results on UKAS, the portal will deliver the requirements to all the universities selected.