IELTS! To take or not to take? That is the question.

You might already be preparing for the IELTS exam, or just thinking about it taking it. You may have to take it for visa purposes. Anyway, here are some FAQs (frequently asked questions):

  • What is the exam for?
  • How long do I need to study before I will be ready?
  • Why are there two versions of the test?
  • What is the test format and how long will the exam take?
  • When and where can I take the exam?
  • Is the test completed in one day?
  • When do I receive my results?
  • What do the results mean?
  • How is the test scored?
  • How long is the test valid for?

1. What is the exam for?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) measures the language level of people who want to study or work in a country where English is used as a language of communication. It uses a nine-band scale to clearly identify levels of proficiency, from non-user (band score 1) through to expert (band score 9).

2. How long should I need to study in order to be ready?

Different people learn differently! That means it might take you a few months, but might take someone else a year. It depends on the amount of time you have to study, not just in class, but outside class too.

You can get a good idea of how long you should study by taking a practice IELTS test and seeing what band you fall in.

If you need to raise your score by more than one band, give yourself at least one month per band. That means that if you need an IELTS band 6.5 but are currently at a 5.0, you should study for two months or more.

Here are some tips for IELTS study:

  • study at least six hours a week,
  • study at least four days a week, and
  • have one or more study sessions that last at least 1.5 hours.

3. Why are there two versions of the test?

There are two types of IELTS test:

Academic for people applying for higher education (university) or professional registration (to be a doctor. Although, check out OET for this).

General Training for those migrating to the UK, or applying for secondary education, training programmes and work experience in an English-speaking environment.

Both versions provide a valid and accurate assessment of the four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

4. What is the test format and how long will it take?

5. When and where can I take the exam, what are the fees for 2020 and how to pay for the exam?

EALING HAMMERSMITH AND WEST LONDON COLLEGE

Registration address: Gliddon Road, Barons Court, London W14 9BL United Kingdom

T: (+44)020 8741 1688

E:ielts@wlc.ac.uk

W:https://www.wlc.ac.uk/efl/ielts

Paper-based - £180

EALING GREEN COLLEGE

Registration address: Gliddon Road, Barons Court, London W14 9BL United Kingdom

T: (+44)020 8741 1688

E:ielts@wlc.ac.uk

W:https://www.wlc.ac.uk/efl/ielts

Paper-based - £180

Computer-delivered - £180

THE LONDON EXAM CENTRE

Registration address: 27-37 St Georges Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19 4EU

T: +44 (0)2089719348

E:ielts@wimbledon-school.ac.uk

W:http://www.londonexams.co.uk/ielts

Paper-based - £180

Computer-delivered - £180

Applications for all tests can only be made online using your chosen venue accessed here: https://www.ielts.org/book-a-test/find-a-test-location/location-list/united-kingdom/london/tv

*DO NOT send cash in the post as they are unable to return it.*

You will receive full details of your test and venue after you have sent your documents and payment. This information will be sent to you by email.

6. Is the test completed in one day?

The Listening, Reading and Writing tests are usually administered during the morning. Please note there are no breaks during the morning tests. These are normally completed by 1.00pm.

The speaking interviews are scheduled in 20-minute intervals beginning at 1.30pm.

You will be given your interview time during the morning of the test. Be prepared to be at the test centre for the entire day, as the interviews may go on until 5.30pm.

7. When do I obtain my results?

  • Your results will be available 13 days after your test (5-7 days for computer-delivered IELTS).
  • Test centres will post your Test Report Form to you or you can pick it up in person. Check with your test centre to see what they normally do. You will receive one copy of your Test Report Form.
  • If you have nominated a school to receive copies of your IELTS test results, these will be sent automatically to the school. If you want to receive any additional copies of your results, you will have to pay a small administration charge.

8. What do the results mean?

IELTS results are reported on a 9-band scale. These results are designed to be simple and easy to understand. They are reported as band scores on a scale from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest). The IELTS scale:

9. How is the test scored?

A score is given for each sub-test – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. These individual scores are then averaged and rounded to produce an overall band score.

LISTENING

The IELTS Listening test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded one mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS nine-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.

READING

The IELTS Reading test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded one mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS nine-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.

The Academic and General Training Reading tests are graded on the same scale and the difference between the two tests is genre/text type:

  • Academic Reading tests may contain texts which have more difficult vocabulary or greater complexity of style.
  • Usually more questions must be answered correctly on a General Training Reading test to secure a given band score.

WRITING

Examiners use assessment criteria to award a band score for each of the four criteria:

  • Task Achievement (for Task 1), Task Response (for Task 2)
  • Coherence and Cohesion
  • Lexical Resource
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy

The criteria are weighted equally and the score on the task is the average.

SPEAKING

Examiners use assessment criteria to award a band score for each of the four criteria:

  • Fluency and Coherence
  • Lexical Resource
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy
  • Pronunciation

The criteria are weighted equally and the score on the task is the average.

10. How long is the test valid for?

IELTS recommend a 2-year validity period for IELTS test results based upon research that shows people lose language over time without practice.

Our IELTS class runs in the afternoon on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12.45-4pm. We hope to see you there!

Published on 28 March, 2023