IELTS – (Academic and General)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is known as the one of the most popular English language test in the world. Every year, more than 2.9 million peoples appear in this test. This test is taken to assess the English skills of a candidate in different modules. These modules include reading, listening, writing and speaking. This is a criteria to judge you that how well or easy it is for you to study, work, and learn in the English language countries.
It is a most common basic requirement. After achieving the required band Score in IELTS you will be able to study, live and work in different countries around the world. There are about 140 countries in the world that accepts the IELTS certificate as the proof of English language Proficiency. There are two types of IELTS which are:
- IELTS Academic
- IELTS General
(You can choose any one from them according to your reason for taking IELTS.)
IELTS Academic:
If you have a dream to get higher education or professional registration in various foreign English speaking countries then you need to clear the IELTS Academic test. It contains the features of academic language. Also, it will help to evaluate that, are you ready to begin studying or training or not. The academic IELTS is accepted by so many famous institutions of the world for the higher education.
IELTS General:
Candidates who want to go to the English speaking countries for work experience or training programs, they need to clear the IELTS General Training test. Also it is required when any individual wants to migrate to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK. This test is taken to examine the candidate’s original survival skills in broad social and workplace contexts.
IELTS IDP/ British Councli:
IELTS is a test which is invented by the British Council, IDP and University of Cambridge all together. In some countries, IDP is taking up the responsibility to conduct this test. There are some countries where the British Council took up the charge to conduct this test. Also in some countries both the IDP and British Council are in charge of this exam. India is also one of these countries where IELTS is offered by both the IDP and British Council. Just because of this reason most of the people get confused that where to go.
But here is a very interesting fact about IELTS, which is an answer to all your questions. The fact is that the IELTS exams are the same in all over the world, whether you are giving it in any State, any City or In any Country. Just like the location also it does not matter whether you are giving your exam through IDP or British Council. The pattern of exams, questions as well as marking Criteria of IELTS will be always same in both conditions.
Here we found some students who say that the marking criteria of British Council IELTS is easier than the IDP IELTS, but it’s not true. Because both the examiners of BC and IDP get trained in the same manner. The marking criteria followed by the examiner are same for both the IDP and British Council. So simply, it does not matter whether you are choosing British Council or IDP for IELTS, you will get the same marks according to your preparation. So, prepare well by choosing a best IELTS center in your Nearby location and get success. Don’t waste your time in thinking about British Council or IDP. Just prepare well and get success.
The Ielts Test Format
The Test consists of four modules, i.e. Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Listening and speaking modules are common for all IELTS candidates, but it is necessary to choose an option between academic and general training for reading and writing modules.
| Listening4 Sections, 40 items 30 Minutes | |
| General Training Reading3 Sections, 40 items 60 Minutes | Academic Reading3 Sections, 40 items 60 Minutes |
| General Training Writing2 tasks (150 and 250 words) 60 Minutes | Academic Writing2 Tasks (150 and 250 words) 60 Minutes |
| Speaking11 to 14 Minutes | |
Test Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes
The first three modules, i.e. reading, listening and writing, are completed in one day. However, speaking modules can be taken at the discretion of the testing center on the same day or within the 7 days before or after the schedule of other modules. The tests are designed to cover the full range of capabilities from expert user to non-user.
Note:
Academic reading and writing modules are designed to assess the ability of studying or working through English at any graduate, postgraduate or professional level of any candidate.
General training, reading and writing modules are not designed to test the full range of formal language skills needed for academic purposes, rather they emphasize basic living skills in a broad social and academic context. General Training is most suitable for candidates traveling in English-speaking countries, for immigration purposes like Australia, New Zealand, Canada not to the degree level, but to undertake work experience or training programs. It is the sole responsibility of the candidate to inform the examination center about what he wants to do in the academic or general training module.