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IELTS ( /a.lts/), or International English Language Testing System, is an international standardised test of English language proficiency.

It is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, the British Council and IDP Education Pty Ltd, and was established in 1989. 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 practise 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 3,000 academic institutions in the United States, and various professional organisations. It is also a requirement for immigration to Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

No minimum score is required to pass the test. An IELTS result or Test Report Form is issued to all candidates with a score from 1 (no knowledge) to 9 (expert user) and each institution sets a different threshold. Institutions are advised not to consider valid a report older than two years, unless the user proves that he has worked to maintain his level.[1] [2] In 2007, IELTS tested over a million candidates in a single 12-month period for the first time ever, making it the world's most popular English language test for higher education and immigration.[3] In 2009, 1.4 million candidates took the IELTS test in over 130 countries, in 2011 1.7 million candidates[4] The IELTS incorporates the following features:

A variety of accents and writing styles have presented in test materials in order to minimise 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 is a key component of IELTS. It 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. IELTS test structure All candidates must complete four Modules - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking - to obtain a band score, which is shown on the 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. [edit]Listening The module comprises four sections. Each section begins with a short introduction telling the candidates about the situation and the speakers. Then they have some time to look through questions. The first three sections have a break in the middle allowing candidates to look at the remaining questions. Each section is heard only once.[5] [edit]Reading In the academic module the reading test comprises three sections, with 3 texts normally followed by 13 or 14 questions for a total of 40 questions overall. The General test also has 3 sections. However the texts are shorter, so there can be up to 5 texts to read. [edit]Writing In the Academic module, there are two tasks: in Task 1 candidates describe a diagram, graph, process or chart, and in Task 2 they respond to an argument. In the General Training module, there are also two tasks: in Task 1 candidates write a letter or explain a situation, and in Task 2 they write an essay. [edit]Speaking The speaking test contains three sections. The first section takes the form of an interview during which candidates may be asked about their hobbies, interests, reasons for taking IELTS exam as well as other general topics such as clothing, free time, computers and the internet or family. In the second section candidates are given a topic card and then have one minute to prepare after which they must speak about the given topic. The third section involves a discussion between the examiner and the candidate, generally on questions

relating to the theme which they have already spoken about in part 2. This last section is more abstract, and is usually considered the most difficult. [edit]Duration 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. Speaking: 1114 minutes. (Note: 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. [edit]Band scale IELTS is scored on a nine-band scale, with each band corresponding(to watch) to a specified(describe something exactly and clearly) competence(ability to do something well) in English. Overall Band Scores are reported to the nearest half band. The following rounding convention( The Geneva Convention) applies: if the average across the four skills ends in .25, it is rounded up to the next half band, and if it ends in .75, it is rounded up( to increase the number to nearest whole) to the next whole band. The nine bands are described as follows: 9 Expert User Has full operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.

Very Good User

Has full operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies.

Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well. 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. Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field. Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in using complex language. Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. 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. Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words. No assessable information provided at all.

7 Good User

Competent User

5 Modest user

4 Limited User

Extremely Limited User

Intermittent 2 User

1 Non User

0 Did not attempt the

test A 6.5 IELTS score lies roughly between B2 and C1 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and >8 scores are C2.[6] [edit]Conversion table This table can be used for the Listening tests to convert raw scores to band scores. This chart is a guide only, because sometimes the scores adjust slightly depending on how difficult the exam is. Band 9.0 8.5 8.0 7.5 7.0 6.5 6.0 5.5 5.0 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 Score 39 Raw score 40 37 38 32 35 36 34 26 30 31 29 23 25 18 22 13 16 17 15

10 8 6 4 12 9 7 5

[edit]Locations and test dates The test is taken every year in 500 locations across 121 countries, and is one of the fastest growing English language tests in the world. The number of candidates has grown from about 80,000 in 1999 to over 1,200,000 in 2009. The top three locations in which candidates took the test in 2007 were: Academic Category 1. India 2. Iran 3. Pakistan There are up to 48 test dates available per year. Each test centre offers tests up to four times a month depending on local demand. There used to be a minimum time limit of 90 days before which a person was not allowed to retake the test. However this restriction( an official limit on something

) has been withdrawn( remove) and currently there is no limit for applicants to retake the test. [edit]Global test scores [edit]Countries with highest averages

In 2007, the top five countries of residence with the highest average scores for the Academic Strand of the IELTS test were:[3] 1. Germany 2. Malaysia 3. Philippines 4. Russia 5. Hong Kong [edit]Results by first language of candidate The top 5 language-speaking (or nationality) groups that achieved the best results in 2007 for the Academic Strand of the IELTS test were:[3] 1. Tagalog 2. Spanish 3. Malay 4. Hindi 5. Tamil [edit]IELTS level required by academic institutions for admission Just over half (51%) of candidates take the test to enter higher education in a foreign country.[3] The IELTS minimum scores required by academic institutions vary. As a general rule, institutions from English-speaking countries require a higher IELTS band. [edit]United States The highest IELTS Band required by a university is 8.5,[7] by the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University; the only US institution to require this band. While Ohio State University's Moritz College of Law is listed as requiring an 8.5 on the IELTS website, the school lists an 8.0.[8] At Saint Louis University, the minimum score is 6. [edit]United Kingdom The highest IELTS Band required is 8,[7] by the Master of Science degree in Marketing at the University of Warwick . Most IELTS requirements by universities fall between 5.5 and 7.0. For example: University Minimum IELTS score

Oxford University London School of Economics University of Edinburgh Cambridge University

7.0[9] 7.0/7.5 (depends on LSE's individual department requirement) 7.0 (All programs in Business, Management, Finance, Law, English Literature and Celtic/Scottish Studies)[10]

7.0[11]

Glasgow University 6.5 (General)/ 7.0 (Faculty of Arts & Humanities)[12] University College London Imperial College London Exeter University Liverpool University Birmingham University Essex University 6.5/7.0/7.5 (depends on UCL's individual faculty/department requirement) 6.5 (7.0 for the Life Sciences Department and the Imperial Business School) 6.5

6.0[13]

6.5

5.5 6.5/7.0 (depends on MSc)

Cranfield

University Germany University of Bamberg requires an IELTS (academic or general test) minimum of 7.0 (program in European Joint Masters Degree in English and American Studies). Most German universities require an IELTS minimum of 6.0 or 6.5 for their master's students. [edit]Italy Polytechnic University of Turin requires an IELTS minimum of 5.0. Most Italian universities generally require an IELTS minimum of 4.5 for their undergraduate students and 6.5 for their master's students. [edit]Hong Kong The Law Society of Hong Kong requires applicants to achieve a minimum score of 7.0 for entry into the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws course, taught at University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong and City University of Hong Kong. Chinese University of Hong Kong requires an overall band score of 7.0 for entry via Early Admission Scheme into 2 of its business subjects, "Global Business Studies" and "International Business and Chinese Enterprise". [edit]Kazakhstan Nazarbayev University requires an IELTS minimum of 6.0 for entry into The Schools of Medicine, Engineering and Science & Technology and 6.5 for entry to The School of Humanities and Social Sciences. [edit]IELTS use for immigration purposes A number of Commonwealth countries use IELTS scores as a proof of prospective immigrants' competence in English.[14] [edit]Australia Australia's immigration authorities have used IELTS to assess English proficiency of prospective migrants since May 1998, when this test replaced the access: test that had been previously used.[15] As of July 2012, applicants for Australia's Independent Migrant visa (permanent residence) must either score at least 6 on each of the modules of IELTS, or score at least "A" on Australia'sOccupational English Test.[16] One can receive a "partial credit" (fewer points on the point test that determines one's eligibility for the migrant's visa) for having merely a "competent" level of English, which requires scoring at least 6 on each of the modules of IELTS. Prospective migrants who are citizens of the majority-

English-speaking countries (United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, the USA, or Republic of Ireland) may choose to automatically receive the credit for the "competent" level of English merely by virtue of their citizenship, without taking tests; however, if they desire to show the "proficient" level (e.g. in order to obtain a sufficiently high overall score on the migration point test) they still must take the IELTS or OET.[16] [edit]New Zealand New Zealand has used the IELTS test since 1995. Initially, level 5 scores in each of the four modules were required of the prospective applicants; those who could not achieve required scores could pay a NZ$20,000 fee instead, which would be fully or partially refunded later if the migrant were able to successfully take the test within a certain period (3 to 12 months) after his or her arrival to the country. A few years later, the policy was changed: the fee was reduced, and, instead of being potentially refundable, it became treated as a "pre-purchase" of post-arrival ESL tuition.[17] Presently, applicants desiring to achieve permanent residence in New Zealand via the "Entrepreneur Category" migration program must prove a "reasonable" level of competence in English. Unless the applicant has studied and/or worked for a sufficiently long period in New Zealand or other Englishspeaking countries, this normally should be demonstrated by achieving the overall band of 6.5 on the IELTS.[18] [edit]Canada Citizenship and Immigration Canada uses the results of IELTS and/or TEF as a conclusive evidence of one's ability to communicate in English and/or French.[19] For the purposes of the skill-based immigration points test, one receives separate points based on his or her performance on each of the four modules (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) or IELTS; the score of 6.5 on a particular IELTS module is sufficient to earn the maximum points for this particular capacity, except for the listening module, which requires the score of 7.5 to earn the maximum points.[20] The CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) test scores are mentioned by the Canadian immigration application forms as an alternative to IELTS.[20] [edit]United Kingdom Under the UK's "Points Based System Tier 1" (General Migrant) programme, applicants can receive 10 points for their English language qualification if it is deemed "equivalent to the Council of Europe's Common European Framework for Language Learning level C1", which is said to approximately equivalent to IELTS level 6.5, or GCSE Grade C. Having gained a university degree from an

English-medium institution is an acceptable alternative proof of one's English level.[21] TOEFL From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL /tofl/toh-fl, evaluates the ability of an individual to use and understand English in an academic setting. It was developed to address(to deal with a matter or problem) the problem on ensuring( to make something certain to happen) English language proficiency for non-native speakers wishing to study at American universities. It has become an admission requirement( something that you must do or something you need) for non-native English speakers at many English-speaking colleges and universities. Additionally, institutions( an important or large organization ) such as government agencies, licensing bodies, businesses, or scholarship programs may require this test. A TOEFL score is valid( able to be accepted ) for two years and then will no longer be officially reported[1] since a candidate's language proficiency could have significantly changed since the date of the test.[citation needed] Colleges and universities usually consider only the most recent TOEFL score. Policies governing the TOEFL program are formulated with advice from a 16member board. Board members are affiliated with undergraduate and graduate schools, 2-year institutions and public or private agencies with an interest in international education. Other members are specialists in the field of English as a foreign or second language. The TOEFL Committee of Examiners is composed of 12 specialists in linguistics, language testing, teaching or research. Its main responsibility is to advise on TOEFL test content. The committee helps ensure the test is a valid measure of English language proficiency reflecting current trends and methodologies. The TOEFL test is a registered trademark of Educational Testing Service (ETS) and is administered worldwide. Contents [hide]

In 1962, a national council made up of representatives of thirty government and private organizations was formed to address the problem on ensuring English language proficiency for non-native speakers wishing to study at American universities. This council recommended the development and administration of the TOEFL exam for the 1963-1964 time frame.[2] The test was originally developed at the Center for Applied Linguistics under the direction of Stanford University applied linguistics professor Dr. Charles A. Ferguson.[3] The TOEFL was first administered in 1964 by the Modern Language Association financed by grants from the Ford Foundation and Danforth Foundation.[2] In 1965, The College Board and ETS jointly assumed responsibility for the continuation of the TOEFL testing program.[2] In 1973, a cooperative arrangement was made between ETS, The College Board, and the Graduate Record Examinations board of advisers to oversee and run the program. ETS was to administer the exam with the guidance of the TOEFL board.[2] [edit]Formats and contents

[edit]Internet-based Test Since its introduction in late 2005, the Internet-based Test (iBT) has progressively replaced both the computer-based tests (CBT) and paper-based tests (PBT), although paper-based testing is still used in select areas. The iBT has been introduced in phases, with the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy in 2005 and the rest of the world in 2006, with test centers added regularly. The CBT was discontinued in September 2006 and these scores are no longer valid. Although initially, the demand for test seats was higher than availability, and candidates had to wait for months, it is now possible to take the test within one to four weeks in most countries.[4] The four-hour test consists of four sections, each measuring one of the basic language skills (while some tasks

require integrating multiple skills) and all tasks focus on language used in an academic, higher-education environment. Note-taking is allowed during the iBT. The test cannot be taken more than once a week.

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