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ABOUT THE TEST

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is widely recognized as a reliable means of assessing the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication. IELTS is owned by three partners, Cambridge English Language Assessment, part of the University of Cambridge, the British Council and IDP Education Pty Limited (through its subsidiary company, IELTS Australia Pty Limited). This is a paper-pencil based test. More information can be found on the official website ielts.org

The test has two main purposes:

  • Academic – for education/profession purpose
  • General Training – for immigration/training purpose

Registration

Registration can be done both online and offline with varying fees based on location.  There are more than 1,100 IELTS test locations in over 140 countries.

Photograph and valid ID which must be presented at the test center.
Bring pen, pencil, eraser and sharpener.
No other paper or instruments are allowed at the test center.

Test Contents

IELTS consists of four components. The test total time is around 2 hours and 55 minutes.

Listening

The listening section has 4 parts, 40 questions with 25-30 minutes (plus 10 minutes transfer time). The 4 parts are:

  • Section 1 has a conversation between two speakers on social aspect
  • Section 2 is a monologue on social issue
  • Section 3 is a conversation between up to four people on educational/training situation
  • Section 4 is a monologue on training/educational context
  • Variation of question types includes multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labeling, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion, sentence completion and short-answer questions.

Reading

Reading section contains 3 parts, 40 questions with 60 minutes. The questions vary for the Academic and General Training module.

  • For the Academic module three Reading texts come from books, journals, magazines, newspapers written for non-specialists and the topics are of general interest.
  • For the General Training module three sections contain 5-6 reading texts from notices, advertisements, job descriptions, contracts and staff development, training materials, timetables, newspapers, magazines and fictional and non-fictional book extracts.
  • Question types include multiple choice, identifying information, identifying the writer’s views/claims, matching information/headings/features/sentence endings, sentence/summary/note/table/flow-chart/diagram label completion and short-answer questions.

Writing

Writing includes 2 tasks to be completed in 60 minutes.

  • Task 1 is a guided writing of 150 words where Academic candidates describe some visual information (graph/table/chart/diagram) and the General Training candidates respond to a situation by writing a letter.
  • Task 2 is creative writing of 250 words where describing or providing opinion on an issue is required.

Speaking

The Speaking section has 3 parts for 11–14 minutes. The three parts are,  answering familiar questions,  then giving a 1-2 minute speech, (with a 1-minute preparation) followed by a detailed discussion generally based on the theme of part two.

The Listening, Reading and Writing sections are completed in one sitting. The Speaking test may be taken on the same day or up to seven days before or after the other tests.

Score and Result

The test report is provided 13 days after their test where an Overall Band Score (from 1-9), individual band score (from 1-9) is given for each section.   The results are valid for 2 years.

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IELTS® Test Strategy

By, Complete Test Preparation Inc.

Winning Multiple Choice Strategies for the IELTS®

Learn and Practice Proven multiple choice strategies for reading comprehension and listening comprehension! Plus how to take an oral exam, how to take a test and more! Over 100 Practice Questions

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IELTS® Test Strategy

By, Complete Test Preparation Inc.

Winning Multiple Choice Strategies for the IELTS®

Learn and Practice Proven multiple choice strategies for reading comprehension and listening comprehension! Plus how to take an oral exam, how to take a test and more! Over 100 Practice Questions

Order

Getting Started with the IELTS®
Test Strategy 7
Multiple-Choice Step-by-Step 13 Strategy Practice Questions 17
Answers to Strategy Questions 37

Reading and Listening Comprehension Practice Questions
Answer Key 64

How to Write an Essay
Common Essay Mistakes - 1 98
Common Essay Mistakes - 2 100
Writing Concisely 102
Avoiding Redundancy 104

How to Take an Oral Exam
Preparing for an Oral Exam 112

How to Prepare for a Test

How to Take a Test
Reading the Instructions 121
How to Take a Test - The Basics 122
In the Test Room 127
Avoid Anxiety Before a Test 131
Common Test-Taking Mistakes 133

Conclusion

Try a free sample PDF of the IELTS Test Strategy! IELTS Practice Sample

IELTS® is a registered trademark of the Educational Testing Service, who are not involved in the production of, and do not endorse this publication.

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