The International English Language Testing System or IELTS is an international standardised test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. It is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment, and was established in 1989.

 

IELTS TEST FORMAT

There are two versions of the IELTS: the Academic Coaching and the General Training.

 - IELTS Academic Coaching 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 practise in an English-speaking country.

 - IELTS General Training is intended for those planning to undertake non-academic training or to gain work experience, or for immigration purposes.

IELTS TEST STRUCTURE

The IELTS test has four parts:

• Listening: 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes' transfer time)
• Reading: 60 minutes
• Writing: 60 minutes
• Speaking: 11–15 minutes

The test total time is: 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Listening (AC and GT)

The module comprises four sections, with ten questions in each section.

It takes 40 minutes: 30 - for testing, plus 10 for transferring the answers to an answer sheet.

Reading (AC)

Three reading texts, which come from books, journals, magazines, newspapers and online resources written for non-specialist audiences. All the topics are of general interest to students at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Reading (GT)

Section 1 contains two or three short texts or several shorter texts, which deal with everyday topics.

Section 2 contains two texts, which deal with work.

Section 3 contains one long text about a topic of general interest. 

Writing (AC)

Task 1: describe a graph, table, chart or diagram in their own words. (150 words)

Task 2: discuss a point of view, argument or problem. (250 words)

Writing (GT)

Task 1: test takers write a letter in response to a given everyday situation. 

Task 2: test takers write an essay about a topic of general interests.

Speaking (AC and GT)

Section 1: introduction and interview (4–5 minutes).

Section 2: long turn (3–4 minutes).

Section 3: discussions (4–5 minutes).