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IELTS

What are the IELTS Modules?

Studying abroad is a preferred choice for many students. Even many choose overseas destinations for work and migration purposes. As most countries have English as their native language, when an individual wants to go to one of these countries, they need to appear for standard English tests. IELTS is one such test. The International English Language Testing System, IELTS, assesses the aspirant's English language skills. There are four parameters- Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking- based on which the examiner scores the test taker. Each country or specific education/work organization has its eligibility criteria (band score) regarding the IELTS score and preferred IELTS Modules. If only the individual crosses the benchmark, the country permits a visa or the institute for study/work purposes.

IELTS Modules (Types)

Read on to know the detailed description of the types. There are two IELTS Modules-

  • IELTS Academic
  • IELTS General Training

The difference in IELTS Modules (IELTS Types) is based on the candidate's purpose of going overseas (English-speaking countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand).

  • If an individual wants to go abroad for graduation, post-graduation, or other degree-level courses, they must opt for the IELTS Academic module.
  • If a person wants to study (below degree level course), work, or migrate overseas, for that person, the suitable module is IELTS General Training.

Both IELTS Modules- IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training have Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking sections, but the approaches vary.

IELTS Listening and Speaking is the same for both, but the format, questions, complexity, and themes differ in IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training's Reading and Writing Sections.

The Reading, Writing, and Listening sections tests happen on one day, while the Speaking test is scheduled a few days before or after these three sections.

IELTS Sections

IELTS LISTENING

40 questions

(30 minutes + 10 minutes extra for writing answers on the sheet)

ACADEMIC AND GENERAL TRAINING

Four recordings are played (casual conversation, general monologue, educational conversation, and an academia-based monologue). With careful listening, the candidates have to answer several questions.

Marking

It assesses how good an individual is at understanding the idea, theme, point of view, reason behind the discussion, and overall attentiveness towards the ideas that follow throughout the recordings.

Tasks

Multiple choice; Matching; Plan/map/diagram labeling; Form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion; Sentence completion; and(or) Short-answer questions.

IELTS READING

40 questions

(60 minutes)

ACADEMIC

GENERAL TRAINING

It includes three texts of non-specific themes that revolve around general interests and are suitable for under and post-graduation applicants.

The aspirants must be familiar with different writing styles- narrative, descriptive, argumentative, logical, etc., as the style of the passage has a wide range chosen from magazines, journals, books, and other resources.

In this, there are three sections-

Section 1: Multiple short texts

Section 2: Two texts

Section 3: One long text

The texts are of general and daily themes. The sources of these passages/texts are advertisements, handbooks, magazines, newspapers, etc. The text style and pattern focus on testing language skills for general, workplace, and social requirements.

Marking

The marking is based on factors like skimming and scanning skills. Moreover, the individual's ability to grasp the theme, recognize supportive ideas, understand the message conveyed, locate details with attentiveness, show accuracy in answers, etc.

Tasks

Multiple choice; Identifying information; Identifying writer's views/claims; Matching information; Matching headings; Matching features; Matching sentence endings; Sentence completion; Summary/note/table/flow-chart completion; Diagram label completion; or Short-answer questions.

IELTS WRITING

(60 minutes)

ACADEMIC

GENERAL TRAINING

There are two tasks in total. The first task involves describing, summarizing, and explaining the visually represented questions accordingly. It can be a graph, figure, diagram, chart, table, etc., which the candidate has to understand and respond to in a semi-formal or neutral way of writing (at least 150 words). The second is an essay writing (minimum 250 words), where the answering style must be academic or neutral.

Even this has two tasks. The first is letter writing (formal, semi-formal, or informal) depending on the question (argument/point of view/problem) and who the letter is addressed to. It should have at least 150 words. Task two is essay writing (minimum 250 words), with the style- semi-formal or neutral. Here, the topics are general and relate to everyday situations.

Marking

In both IELTS Modules, task achievement (Academic), task response (General Training), clarity of the thoughts, conceptual understanding, figure details interpretation, proper vocabulary, grammar use, logical explanation, etc., are factors for the IELTS Writing section marking and assessment of the candidate.

Tasks

Describing figures/diagrams, etc.; Letter writing; Essay writing

IELTS SPEAKING

11-14 minutes

ACADEMIC AND GENERAL TRAINING

There are three parts to the Speaking section. It involves giving a self-introduction and speaking on a topic, given in a test card and further conversation. The test can have a wide range of topics- from general, familiar themes to academic or educational.

Marking

Here the examiners check the candidate's potential to effectively state their opinions, use appropriate language, be fluent while expressing their views, and present justifications with accurate grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary. The test taker must ensure coherency and flow while speaking. It is essential to authentic and natural.

Tasks

Introduction and interview; Long run; and Discussion.

Acceptance of IELTS

IELTS for Study

More than 11,000 organizations recognize IELTS. Many educational institutions have minimum IELTS bands decided as eligibility for various study programs. Even some non-English speaking universities consider IELTS for certain courses. An individual can take any of the IELTS Modules- an IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training test as per the course/training program, professional registration, or certification through paper, computer, or online.

IELTS for Work

Most employers and professional bodies set up globally require a particular IELTS score to determine the candidate's English skills needed while working overseas. Usually, IELTS General Training is the criteria for work, but some may accept IELTS Academic scores. Regarding giving opportunities to candidates for vocational training, professional registration, or jobs in different sectors, various organizations overseas consider IELTS scores reliable.

IELTS for Migration

With IELTS, one can migrate to overseas countries like the UK, New Zealand, Australia, or Canada. Each country has a minimum IELTS band score regarding migration.

  • Australia- 6
  • Canada- as decided by IRCC
  • New Zealand- 6.5
  • UK- 4 to 7

Any individual willing to shift to these countries has to take IELTS Modules (usually, IELTS General Training Module) at any official IELTS Test Center, as IELTS online is not available for migration purposes.

Where can you take the IELTS test?

At IELTS Test Center: One can give in two ways-

IELTS on Paper

It is a pen/pencil and paper-based test conducted at an official test center for IELTS. It is accessible for both IELTS Modules- Academic and IELTS General Training. While the candidate has to write answers for Reading, Writing, and Listening sitting at a desk, the Speaking test happens face-to-face with the examiner.

IELTS on Computer

It is a computer-based test given at an IELTS official center for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training Modules. Candidates have to read/listen and answer through the screen medium for the Reading, Writing, and Listening sections. The Speaking test happens through face-to-face communication/interaction with the examiner.

At Any Other Location:

IELTS Online

This test is only for IELTS Academic Module in specific countries only. One can attempt IELTS Academic at home or any location other than the official test center. It is necessary to have a stable internet facility. There is no changed format, questions, pattern, test duration, etc., except for a video call with the examiner for the Speaking test.