International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Is a standardized English proficiency test

It assesses English Language skills in the areas of listening, reading, writing and speaking. It is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP Australia and University of Cambridge ESOL EXAMINATIONS.

IELTS has two types of modules - Academic and General Training. Academic Module is required to be given by students who plan to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels. While, General Training Module is generally a prerequisite for the people who either want to pursue vocational studies or plan to immigrate.

Test Format

Listening	40 question	40 minutes
reading
Academic Module	3 passages (40 question)	60 minutes
Genera Module	3 sections (40 questions)	60 minutes
Writing
Academic Module	2 tasks (Diagram Prompt/Argument Prompt	60 minutes
General Module	2 tasks(Letter Prompt/Essay Prompt)	60 minutes
Speaking	3 parts	11-15 minutes

A brief on every section

Listening: It has 4 sections and 40 questions in all. It lasts for 40 minutes including the time one gets for transferring the answers to the main answer sheet.

Reading: Reading has 3 passages, 40 questions in all. Candidates are given only 1 hour to complete reading, which means that time management is very important. One must give 20 minutes per passage.

Writing: Academic Module

It has 2 writing tasks. Task 1 is primarily Report writing (explaining diagrams and charts). Essay on task 1 must not be less than 150 words. Students are advised to spend 20 minutes on this task.

Task 2 is Argumentative essay.

Essay on task 2 must not be less than 250 words. Students are advised to spend 40 minutes on the same. In all, time allotted for writing is 1 hour. General Training Module It also has 2 writing tasks. Task 1 presents a Letter Prompt (formal or informal). Students must write at least 150 words for the same. Task 2 is same as that of Academic Module.

Speaking: Speaking has 3 parts and lasts for 11-14 minutes. It is done on one-to-one basis with the student.

Part 1: Examiner asks general questions to the student, which relates to his/her work, studies, hobbies etc. This part lasts between 4 and 5 minutes. Part 2: The candidate is given a topic to speak, which is printed on a task card.

Students have to speak for 1 minute at least and are given one minute to think and write down some points. This part lasts between 3 and 4 minutes. Part 3: It's a two way discussion with the examiner (questions mostly related to part 2 topic will be asked).The discussion lasts between 4 and 5 minutes.

Free Ielts Scheme

Students may enroll under the FREE IELTS SCHEME. Under this scheme, if a student has enrolled in a university represented by Safi Experts and applies for visa with that university offer, then he/she is entitled for a refund after net deduction of taxes and cost of official course ware.

The refund is applicable whether visa has been granted or not.

Scoring

IELTS is graded on a scale of 0 – 9, known as Band Scale. Generally, a score of at least 6 bands for UG & 6.5 bands for PG is required in each section. The result is available in 15 working days.