What is IELTS EXAM?
The International Language Testing System (IELTS) examination is an English Language proficiency test which is required by students and professionals for communication in academic, university, and professional settings. IELTS score is widely acknowledged across 140 countries and over 11,500 organizations for more than 30 years. The IELTS is recognized and required by vast number of educational institutions, professional associations, workplace, and government organization globally. The IELTS is recognized in Australia, Canada, the UK, the USA, Ireland, and New Zealand and many more. The total duration of the test is 2 hours and 45 minutes.
IELTS Exam Types
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) tests the applicant in two main types of exams: Academic and General Training. It is important to understand that although both assess the English language proficiency of candidates, but their purpose is different.
IELTS Academic
IELTS Academic is required by students for the intention to study abroad at the Undergraduate or postgraduate levels or any other higher studies. It is also taken by working professionals for the purpose of registration. The Academic test includes four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. There is a slight difference in the Reading and Writing sections of IELTS Academic from that of IELTS General in the terms of formatting and level of difficulty.
IELTS General
IELTS General training exam is required for individuals who are looking to migrate to an English-speaking country for job opportunities, secondary education and some kind of training programs. Like the Academic test, the General Training test consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. However, the exam style especially in the Reading and the Writing sections is more focused on the English used socially, and in workplace on a routine basis. Listening and speaking is similar as IELTS Academic in terms of structure and difficulty. The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.
IELTS Exam Pattern
The Exam pattern consists of testing in 4 main areas of Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We highly recommend IELTS coaching from Cambridge certified faculty to score IELTS band required for admissions.
S.NO Sections Duration Total Questions
1 Reading 60 min 40 Qs
2 Writing 60 min 40 Qs
3 Speaking 11-14 min 3 parts
4 Listening 30 min 40 Qs
IELTS Exam Course Details
Reading (60 minutes)
The Reading section has three parts with a different type of comprehensions such as articles, advertisements, and extracts from books. These questions are designed to assess a range of reading skills from understanding their literal and inferred meanings to main ideas and details.
Listening (30 minutes)
The Listening section is divided into four parts, each with a different type of audio recording. Candidates are asked to listen to monologues and conversations and participate in a series of questions related to the recordings.
Writing (60 minutes)
The Writing section consists of two tasks:
Task 1 (20 minutes): Candidates are presented with a visual representation of information (e.g., a graph, chart, table) and are required to write a short report describing the key features.
Task 2 (40 minutes): Candidates write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem.
Speaking (11-14 minutes):
The Speaking section is vital to assess the candidate’s communication skills in English.
It is divided into three parts:
Part 1 (Introduction and Interview): The examiner asks general questions about familiar topics.
Part 2 (Long Turn): The candidate is given a task card with a topic and some prompts. They have one minute to prepare and take notes before speaking for 1-2 minutes.
Part 3 (Discussion): The examiner and candidate engage in a more in-depth discussion related to the topic from Part 2.
The IELTS test is scored on a band scale from 1 to 9, with 9 being the highest score. Each section is equally weighted, and the overall band score is the average of the four individual scores. It is important to check thoroughly the band score requirement by different colleges, institutions and organizations for admission or employment.
IELTS Exam Registration
IELTS test can now be taken on a computer and as well as on a paper.
Test takers opting for IELTS on paper will take the Writing, Listening, and Reading sections on a paper with either pen or HB-pencils. The Speaking test is carried out face-to-face or via a video call with a trained IELTS examiner. The results of the paper based IELTS test are announced after 13 calendar days.
Computer Based IELTS Exam – You can choose IELTS computer based which is available 3 times a day and 7 days a week. The computer base test gives you the benefit to take the same IELTS test, Academic and General Training, using a computer. The computer-based IELTS maintains identical content, structure, timing, and fairness to its paper-based counterpart. If you prefer typing over handwriting, you have the option to complete the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections on a computer. However, the Speaking test remains unchanged, conducted face-to-face with a certified IELTS examiner. Computer-based IELTS gives you the convenience to choose from multiple test dates and slots, you can expect your results within 3-5 days.
IELTS Exam Registration Process
It is important to register for the IELTS test when you are ready. It is suggested to register soon as the chances of securing a place for test are more. You should Contact the test centre as soon as possible, as the number of test takers who can take the test on a particular date may be limited. You will need to pay the test fee when you register. Please follow the following procedure for registration for IELST.
- Visit IELTS India’s official website www.ieltsidpindia.com.
- Select the test mode (computer or pen & paper based)
- Select the test type (IELTS Academic or IELTS General)
- Choose your preferred test city and click on ‘Book Now’.
- Pick a date for your IELTS exam and click on ‘Book Now’.
- Read the IELTS terms & conditions and click on ‘Accept’.
- Fill out your personal and registration details and submit.
- Upload the first and last page of your passport copy.
- Add up to 5 recognised organisations who’ll get your IELTS score.
- Pay the IELTS registration fee (INR 16,500) and you’re all set.
IELTS Exam Dates 2024
There are multiple dates and timings in a month available to candidates. We recommend finding a nearest test centre and booking your desired slot. The cost of the IELTS exam in India is INR 16,250. Individuals planning to take the IELTS test must submit an IELTS Registration Fee of INR 16,250 each time they schedule their exam. Similarly, the fees for the computer delivered IELTS for UKVI now stand at INR 16,500. The examination fee for IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1) has been adjusted to INR 15,350, and the fee for IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration is now INR 16,500.
Re-taking IELTS
You can Re-take IELTS as many times you want and when you feel you are ready. It’s important to attend IELTS training and practise as much as possible to attain higher band score. From March 2023, the applicant can retake “One skill Retake” which allows test taker to appear only in a module with low score rather than appearing in all the modules again.
Enquiries on results
If you are unhappy with your test result, it’s important to apply for re-marking within six weeks after the test date. You can apply for a re- mark at the centre where you took the test. You also have a choice to choose the components required for re-marking. There is fee to be paid for this service which will be refunded in case if your score is increased in the component.
Cancellation Policy
For the Paper based
Yes, cancellation is possible, request for cancellation or postponement should be given up to 5 weeks prior to the scheduled date with valid documents.
For the Computer delivered IELTS
Request for cancellation MORE than 1 weeks ahead of the test date is required.
IELTS Study Material
The following reference books can be used while preparing for IELTS. But we always recommend joining live IELTS sessions for in depth preparation for achieving the required band score.
The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS
This book is published by Cambridge and is useful study material and focuses completely on how to crack the IELTS exam. It encompasses all four sections of the IELTS exam, offering guided instructions and insights for each task. The content is designed to enhance the skills evaluated in the IELTS exam and provides guidance on test-taking strategies to optimize your band score. The resource comprises 10 Practice Tests tailored for both Academic and General Training modules.
Published by Cambridge University Press, the Cambridge IELTS Series 10-11-12 is authored by actual IELTS exam writers, providing a practical simulation of the test-taking experience. Offering comprehensive coverage, it includes all four sections in both Academic and General Training formats, with four sets of complete test materials for each. The resource features an ‘Actual Examination Techniques’ section, granting a hands-on approach to exam strategies.
The latest edition, Cambridge IELTS 12, prioritizes Practice Tests and was released in May 2017. Additionally, it encompasses a thorough Q & A section along with sample responses for the writing tasks, enhancing its utility for IELTS exam preparation.
English Collocations in Use
This IELTS exam guide enhances your writing and speaking abilities by emphasizing pronunciation and accent. It facilitates the elimination of any influence from your native language while speaking and aids in enhancing English sentence construction. Comprising 60 lessons, each is accompanied by practice exercises featuring approximately 1500 collocations (collocation: a combination of words habitually used together).
English Vocabulary in Use
For individuals seeking to enhance their lexical skills, this IELTS exam book is an optimal resource for practice. It proves beneficial not only for non-native English speakers but also for those who are native to the language.
The book elucidates the meanings and applications of words, providing subsequent practice exercises. Comprising 100 comprehensive units, it introduces over 3000 new words. This expanded lexical repertoire can be effectively utilized in both writing tasks and speaking engagements, thereby contributing to achieving a higher band score.
Why Choose OIP Education for IELTS Coaching and Study Abroad
- Live Ongoing batches
- Cambridge Teaching Faculty
- Most updated Cambridge Study Material
- Minimum 25 classes or 1 month
- Mock Test Preparation
- Online lessons from comfort of your home
- Vast Experience in Guiding IELTS students worldwide
- International Presence
How Much time is required to prepare for IELTS?
This is most common question students ask while enrolling for IELTS coaching. It’s very difficult to understand individually and depends upon command a student has for the language, but we recommend minimum six to eight weeks for IELTS preparation. It’s a great idea to have a study plan, understand its structure and have updated study material. Joining an online IELTS coaching is a good idea to start your preparation.
IELTS Preparation time depends upon individual’s level of English proficiency but on an average all 4 sections will require a month or as follows.
IELTS Section Time in minutes Preparation Days
Reading 60 10 days
Writing 60 2 weeks
Speaking 30 8 days
Listening 30 2 weeks
Is IELTS Hard or Easy?
IELTS exam requires a systematic study plan and understanding of exam pattern. Some students find speaking section tricky, and some find writing section hard. Although most find listening section easy. But overall, it depends about individual’s strength and understanding of English language.
Who We Are?
We are a Study Abroad Consultants specialising in Academic Tutoring, Standardized Test Preparation and Admission Counselling.
Our mentors and counsellors have assisted numerous students to secure admissions in renowned universities such as LSE, Imperial, UCL, Kings, SciPo, Bocconi, Carnegie Mellon, Yale, NYU, while our Indian programs (OIP) have helped students gain admission in prestigious institution like IIT, NIT, IIIT, BITS, MAMC and Ashok.
In addition to our comprehensive admission support, we also provide exceptional coaching for UK university specific entrance exams – SAT, Medical exams, English language proficiency test, IB, A level and various diagnostics tests required for European universities. Our aim is to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in their academic pursuits.
We take pride in our team of tutors, many of whom are UK-based graduates of esteemed institutions like Oxbridge, the Golden Triangle, and the Russell Group. Additionally, we have mentors who have graduated from top US universities such as MIT.
