IELTS overview
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) measures your ability to communicate in English. The test has four sections: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Who administers the IELTS?
The test is administered through a partnership of the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council and IDP Education Australia. Over 500 centres in more than 100 countries offer the test at the moment. The local administration of the test is supervised by the authorized test centres which also recruit and train IELTS examiners.
Most centres conduct up to 4 tests a month. Results are available within two weeks. You will receive one copy of your results. Additional copies are sent to the organizations / universities you specify.
Differences between the Academic and the General Training Tests
The Listening and Speaking modules are the same for both Academic and General Training tests.
The reading and writing modules are different.
Academic reading module
Candidates who take the academic reading test will be given three passages for reading. The passages are taken from books, magazines, journals and newspapers. They are written for a non-specialist audience and don’t expect you to be an expert on any particular topic. Just make sure that you have a wide vocabulary.
General training reading module
The passages are taken from sources such as newspapers, notices, official documents, booklets, advertisements, instruction manuals etc. They test your ability to understand and use information.
Academic writing module
The first task is to write a report of at least 150 words based on information given in a chart, table, graph or diagram. The second task is to write an essay of at least 250 words.
General training writing module
The first task is to write a letter of at least 150 words. The second task is to write an essay of at least 250 words on a given topic.
