What is IELTS?
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is designed to help you work, study or migrate to a country where English is the native language. This includes countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and USA.
Your ability to listen, read, write and speak in English will be assessed during the test. IELTS is graded on a scale of 1-9.
IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English.
Why Take IELTS?
If you are looking to work, live or study in an English-speaking country, then you must be able to demonstrate a high level of English language ability.
English is the third most spoken language in the world, with 379 million speakers worldwide.
Being able to communicate in the native language of the country you wish to work or study in, has a wide range of benefits. It is also essential for job opportunities as well as integration into the community.
IELTS is the most popular test for those looking to migrate to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. It is globally recognised by more than 11,000 employers, universities, schools and immigration bodies including 3,400 institutions in the USA.
How IELTS is Developed
IELTS is developed to provide a fair and accurate assessment of English language proficiency.
Test questions are developed by language specialists from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. The test covers four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
IELTS test content reflects everyday situations. It is unbiased and fair to all test takers from all backgrounds.
Test Takers Can Feel Confident That IELTS:
• Provides a valid and accurate assessment of the four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
• Assesses language skills, not specialist knowledge; the topics covered are general enough for all test takers will be able to answer questions on them.
• Is focused on assessing practical communication ability.
• Serves both academic and non-academic purposes through a choice of two test types.
• Features a one-on-one, face-to-face Speaking test.
• Recognises all standard varieties of native-speaker English, including North American and British.
• Ensures test questions are extensively trialed with people from different cultures to confirm they are appropriate and fair.
Ensuring Consistent Assessment of Writing and Speaking Tests
• Writing and Speaking tests are assessed by trained and certificated examiners.
• Examiners are qualified English language specialists, with substantial relevant teaching experience, working to clearly defined criteria and subject to extensive quality control procedures.
• Selected speaking and writing performances are second-marked by a team of IELTS principal examiners/assistant principal examiners who provide feedback to each examiner.
• Where there is a significant difference between a test taker’s writing and/or speaking score and their reading and listening scores, double marking is carried out.
• Routine analysis is conducted on each test version to ensure that the performances of test materials, test takers and examiners are in line with expected standards.
• Test takers who feel that their scores do not reflect their performance may apply to have their tests re-marked by a senior examiner.
IELTS Score Scale
| Band Score | Skill Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
9 |
Expert User |
The test taker has fully operational command of the language. Their use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, and shows complete understanding. |
|
8 |
Very Good User |
The test taker has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. They may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. They handle complex and detailed argumentation well. |
|
7 |
Good User |
The test taker has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. They generally handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning. |
|
6 |
Competent User |
The test taker has operational command of the language with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. They generally handle complex language and understand detailed reasoning. |
|
5 |
Modest User |
The test taker has a partial command of the language and copes with overall meaning in most situations, although they are likely to make many mistakes. They should be able to handle basic communication in their own field. |
|
4 |
Limited User |
The test taker's basic competence is limited to familiar situations. They frequently show problems in understanding and expression. They are not able to use complex language. |
|
3 |
Extremely Limited User |
The test taker conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. There are frequent breakdowns in communication. |
|
2 |
Intermittent User |
The test taker has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
|
1 |
Non-User |
The test taker has no ability to use the language except a few isolated words. |
What IELTS Score Do I Need?
The higher you can score in your IELTS, reflects a better understanding and ability to communicate in English. Each immigration body, university, workplace or institution will have specific IELTS score requirements. The score you need will depend on what you are looking to do in the country, i.e work or study.
For more information, visit the official IELTS site here:
International English Language Testing System
What is IELTS?
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is designed to help you work, study or migrate to a country where English is the native language. This includes countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and USA.
Your ability to listen, read, write and speak in English will be assessed during the test. IELTS is graded on a scale of 1-9.
IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English.
Your ability to listen, read, write and speak in English will be assessed during the test. IELTS is graded on a scale of 1-9.
IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English.
Why Take IELTS?
If you are looking to work, live or study in an English-speaking country, then you must be able to demonstrate a high level of English language ability.
English is the third most spoken language in the world, with 379 million speakers worldwide.
Being able to communicate in the native language of the country you wish to work or study in, has a wide range of benefits. It is also essential for job opportunities as well as integration into the community.
IELTS is the most popular test for those looking to migrate to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. It is globally recognised by more than 11,000 employers, universities, schools and immigration bodies including 3,400 institutions in the USA.
English is the third most spoken language in the world, with 379 million speakers worldwide.
Being able to communicate in the native language of the country you wish to work or study in, has a wide range of benefits. It is also essential for job opportunities as well as integration into the community.
IELTS is the most popular test for those looking to migrate to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. It is globally recognised by more than 11,000 employers, universities, schools and immigration bodies including 3,400 institutions in the USA.
How IELTS is Developed
IELTS is developed to provide a fair and accurate assessment of English language proficiency.
Test questions are developed by language specialists from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. The test covers four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
IELTS test content reflects everyday situations. It is unbiased and fair to all test takers from all backgrounds.
Test questions are developed by language specialists from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. The test covers four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
IELTS test content reflects everyday situations. It is unbiased and fair to all test takers from all backgrounds.
Test Takers Can Feel Confident That IELTS:
• Provides a valid and accurate assessment of the four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
• Assesses language skills, not specialist knowledge; the topics covered are general enough for all test takers will be able to answer questions on them.
• Is focused on assessing practical communication ability.
• Serves both academic and non-academic purposes through a choice of two test types.
• Features a one-on-one, face-to-face Speaking test.
• Recognises all standard varieties of native-speaker English, including North American and British.
• Ensures test questions are extensively trialed with people from different cultures to confirm they are appropriate and fair.
• Assesses language skills, not specialist knowledge; the topics covered are general enough for all test takers will be able to answer questions on them.
• Is focused on assessing practical communication ability.
• Serves both academic and non-academic purposes through a choice of two test types.
• Features a one-on-one, face-to-face Speaking test.
• Recognises all standard varieties of native-speaker English, including North American and British.
• Ensures test questions are extensively trialed with people from different cultures to confirm they are appropriate and fair.
Ensuring Consistent Assessment of Writing and Speaking Tests
• Writing and Speaking tests are assessed by trained and certificated examiners.
• Examiners are qualified English language specialists, with substantial relevant teaching experience, working to clearly defined criteria and subject to extensive quality control procedures.
• Selected speaking and writing performances are second-marked by a team of IELTS principal examiners/assistant principal examiners who provide feedback to each examiner.
• Where there is a significant difference between a test taker’s writing and/or speaking score and their reading and listening scores, double marking is carried out.
• Routine analysis is conducted on each test version to ensure that the performances of test materials, test takers and examiners are in line with expected standards.
• Test takers who feel that their scores do not reflect their performance may apply to have their tests re-marked by a senior examiner.
• Examiners are qualified English language specialists, with substantial relevant teaching experience, working to clearly defined criteria and subject to extensive quality control procedures.
• Selected speaking and writing performances are second-marked by a team of IELTS principal examiners/assistant principal examiners who provide feedback to each examiner.
• Where there is a significant difference between a test taker’s writing and/or speaking score and their reading and listening scores, double marking is carried out.
• Routine analysis is conducted on each test version to ensure that the performances of test materials, test takers and examiners are in line with expected standards.
• Test takers who feel that their scores do not reflect their performance may apply to have their tests re-marked by a senior examiner.
IELTS Score Scale
| Band Score | Skill Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
9 |
Expert User |
The test taker has fully operational command of the language. Their use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, and shows complete understanding. |
|
8 |
Very Good User |
The test taker has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. They may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. They handle complex and detailed argumentation well. |
|
7 |
Good User |
The test taker has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. They generally handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning. |
|
6 |
Competent User |
The test taker has operational command of the language with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. They generally handle complex language and understand detailed reasoning. |
|
5 |
Modest User |
The test taker has a partial command of the language and copes with overall meaning in most situations, although they are likely to make many mistakes. They should be able to handle basic communication in their own field. |
|
4 |
Limited User |
The test taker's basic competence is limited to familiar situations. They frequently show problems in understanding and expression. They are not able to use complex language. |
|
3 |
Extremely Limited User |
The test taker conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. There are frequent breakdowns in communication. |
|
2 |
Intermittent User |
The test taker has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
|
1 |
Non-User |
The test taker has no ability to use the language except a few isolated words. |
What IELTS Score Do I Need?
The higher you can score in your IELTS, reflects a better understanding and ability to communicate in English. Each immigration body, university, workplace or institution will have specific IELTS score requirements. The score you need will depend on what you are looking to do in the country, i.e work or study.
For more information, visit the official IELTS site here: IELTS Website
For more information, visit the official IELTS site here: IELTS Website