'International English Language Testing System', is an
international standardized test of English language proficiency.
There are two versions of the IELTS: the Academic Version and the General
Training Version:
The Academic Version is
intended for those who want to enroll in universities and other
institutions of higher education and for professionals such as medical
doctors and nurses who want to study or practice in an English-speaking
country.
The General Training Version
is intended for those planning to undertake non-academic training or to
gain work experience, or for immigration purposes.
IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand and South African academic
institutions, over 2,000 academic institutions in the US, and various
professional organizations. It is also a requirement for immigration to Australia and Canada. This has been criticized in
Canada,
because the English accents employed in the Listening section of the IELTS are
far removed from typical Canadian accent.
An IELTS result or Test Report Form (TRF - see below) is valid for
two years.
IELTS characteristics
The IELTS incorporates the following features:
A variety of accents and
writing styles presented in text materials in order to minimize linguistic
bias.
IELTS tests the ability to
listen, read, write and speak in English.
Band scores used for each
language sub-skill (Listening, Reading,
Writing, and Speaking). The Band Scale ranges from 0 ("Did not
attempt the test") to 9 ("Expert User").
The speaking module - a key
component of IELTS. This is conducted in the form of a one-to-one
interview with an examiner. The examiner assesses the candidate as he or
she is speaking, but the speaking session is also recorded for monitoring
as well as re-marking in case of an appeal against the banding given.
IELTS is developed with input
from item writers from around the world. Teams are located in the USA, Great
Britain, Australia,
New Zealand, Canada and
other English speaking nations.
All candidates must complete four Modules - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking - to obtain a Band, which is shown on an IELTS Test
Report Form (TRF). All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules,
while the Reading
and Writing Modules differ depending on whether the candidate is taking the Academic
or General Training Versions of the Test.
The total test duration is around 2 hours and 45 minutes for
Listening, Reading
and Writing modules. Listening: 40 minutes, 30 minutes for which a
recording is played centrally and additional 10 minutes for transferring
answers onto the OMR answer sheet. Reading:
60 minutes. Writing: 60 minutes. (n.b.No additional
time is given for transfer of answers in Reading
and Writing modules)
The first three modules - Listening, Reading
and Writing (always in that order) - are completed in one day, and in fact are
taken with no break in between. The Speaking Module may be taken, at the discretion
of the test centre, in the period seven days before or after the other Modules.
The tests are designed to cover the full range of ability from non-user to
expert user.
Band Scale
IELTS
is scored on a nine band scale, with each band corresponding to a specified
competence in English. The Band Scores are in either whole or half Bands. The
nine bands are described as follows:
9 Expert User
Has
fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent
with complete understanding. It would be very hard to attain this score.
8 Very Good
User
Has
fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic
inaccuracies and in appropriations - Handles complex detailed argumentation
well.
7 Good User
Has
operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies,
inappropriateness and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles
complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
6 Competent
User
Has
generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and
understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
5 Modest User
Has
a partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most
situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. The candidate should be
able to handle communication in his or her own field.
4 Limited User
Basic
competence is limited to familiar situations. Has a frequent problem in using
complex language.
3
Extremely Limited User
Conveys
and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent
breakdowns in communication occur.
2
Intermittent User
No
real communication is possible except for the most basic information using
isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate
needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
1 Non User
Essentially
has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.