IELTS:
International Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test basically design to access the English understanding capability of a student. Its main purpose is to build a specific English language profile of a student who is trying to apply in any international educational institute where the medium of teaching is in English.
It is designed in such a way to check and examine the overall capacity and understanding of a student for this language. It is an absolute analysis of the student’s capability and hold on English linguistics.
IELTS is widely accepted test by the universities of countries such as New Zealand, USA, Ireland, Germany, UK, Canada, Australia and other European countries. More than 1.5 Million individuals appear in this test every year. In collaboration with Cambridge ESOL and IELTS Australia, the British council developed this test IELTS. IELTS is verified as a genuine and authentic test which enables its test takers to communicate well in English.
Academic IELTS:
It might be obvious to you that the Academic IELTS is intended for (prospective) university students applying for admission in universities and programs in which English is the medium of instruction. But that’s not all – many professionals and job applicants may find that they are also required to provide scores for this version of the test.
One example is medical work. If you want to be a medical professional in Ireland, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada, you’ll definitely need to sit the Academic IELTS. A wide range of medical jobs require this version of the exam, including doctor, nurse, pharmacist, and even hospital lab technician.
Unlike the general training version, the academic version allows test takers to demonstrate some reading and writing skills that aren’t necessarily part of the everyday communicative experience of English speakers. These are considered to be distinct from reading and writing skills for general purposes (see the section on content below).
General IELTS:
For all other immigration and employment, the general training version is used if you want to enter Canada, the USA, Ireland, the UK, New Zealand, Australia, etc. for general immigration. For example, individuals who are taking the IELTS because they are applying for permission to live in Australia near their grandchildren will find that the General Training IELTS suits their needs.
IELTS UKVI for Academic:
The IELTS Academic test measures whether you have the level of English language proficiency needed for an academic, higher education environment. It reflects some of the features of academic language and assesses whether you are ready to begin studying or training.
Take this test if you want to:
- Study at either undergraduate or postgraduate level anywhere in the world
- Apply for Tier 4 Student Visa at a university that is a Tier 4 Sponsor in the UK
- Work in a professional organization in an English speaking country.
The Test
Duration: 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Format: There are four sections to the test: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. When you book your IELTS test with the British Council, the test will take place in an official British Council IELTS test Centre.
Your Speaking test may be offered on the same day as the other sections of the test, or up to a week before or after. You will receive notification in advance if your Speaking test is on a different day to your main test day.
IELTS UKVI for General
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test meant for anyone who wants to pursue a professional career internationally. It includes IELTS General Training.
However, if you are applying for a UK visa, you need to take an IELTS test approved for UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) purposes known as IELTS for UKVI. This applies to everyone coming from a non-English speaking country.
While there is no change in the content, format or level of difficulty and scoring, IELTS for UKVI simply follows certain extra security protocols to ensure the authenticity of the test taker. Also, your Test Report Form (TRF) may look slightly different from the one give for IELTS Academic or General Training.
IELTS Life Skills is a test for those who need to prove their English speaking and listening skills to acquire a UK VISA, and is available at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels A1 and B1. It is designed to meet the requirements of UKVI for certain visa categories and other immigration purposes.
- IELTS Life Skills A1: If you are applying for a “family of a settled person” visa
- IELTS Life Skills B1: If you are applying for a ‘indefinite leave to remain or citizenship’ visa
There is no restriction on how many times you take the IELTS Life Skills test, however, if you pass the test once, you will not be able to re-take it at the same level for a duration of two years.
About the Test:
There are two different test version – Academic and General Training. Based on the requirement one can choose the version. Both the versions assess all four skills – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. While, listening and speaking tests are same for both the versions Reading and Writing tests are based on academic and general training requirement. Listening, Reading and Writing tests are done on the same day one-after the other without a break. Speaking test may be taken within 7 days either before or after the test date.
Test Evaluation:
Language proficiency is evaluated on a scale of 1-9 (non-user to expert). One receives an overall score and individual score for all four skills. Required proficiency level may vary based on the requirement of the individual professional or government registration bodies.
Undergraduate English language entrance requirements
Students from a country where English is not the first language, must obtain a minimum English Language competency level. Some program require a higher level of English Language competency than the minimum requirement indicated, you can view further details on specific program requirements. Contact us to know more about IELTS requirements for your course.
- Undergraduate Level – 5.5 IELTS
Postgraduate English language entrance requirements
- Postgraduate Level – 6.5 IELTS
Entry Requirements IIB INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED BACHELORS INTERNATIONAL YEAR ZERO
- IELTS 4.5 with 12 week pre-sessional (with no component below 4.0)
- IELTS 5.0 with 6 week pre-sessional (with no component below 4.5)
- IELTS 5.5 (with no component below 5.5)
- High School Certificate or equivalent from home country
Entry Requirements – IIM (International Incorporated Masters)
15 months – One Term
- IELTS 6.0 (with no component below 5.5)
18 months – Two Term
- IELTS 4.5 with 12 week pre-sessional (with no component below 4.0)
- IELTS 5.0 with 6 week pre-sessional (with no component below 4.5)
- IELTS 5.5 (with no component below 5.5)
- Undergraduate degree or higher level diploma from home country
IELTS Modules:
This test has four modules that helps student to overcome the language barrier in whatever country they choose to go for study.
- Listening Module: 30 Minutes
- Reading Module: 60 Minutes
- Speaking Module: 15 Minutes
- Writing Module: 60 Minutes
IELTS test report is valid for 2 years only in both cases general and academic tests.
The IELTS band score scale is as follows:
9 – Expert user
8 – Very good user
7 – Good user
6 – Competent user
5 – Modest user
4 – Limited user
3 – Extremely limited user
2 – Intermittent user
1 – Non user
0 – Did not attempt the test
IELTS Benefits:
Its score is widely accepted by the abroad universities across the globe. It not only help in getting admission to a reputable university but also in securing scholarship. IELTS acts like a doorway that opens up various avenues for students who want to pursue their further education abroad.