IELTS is an English language exam that is required to be taken by international candidates considering studying or working in a country where English is the main language of communication. Most popular countries where IELTS is accepted for university admissions are the UK, Australia, New Zealand, USA, and Canada. The exam mainly measures the ability of test-takers to communicate in the four basic English language skills – listening, reading, speaking, and writing. IELTS exam is jointly owned and conducted by IDP Education Australia, British Council, and Cambridge English Language Assessment. With the number of IELTS tests grew to a record of 3.5 million in the year 2018, it has become a leader in the area of international higher education. It is accepted in 100% of universities in the UK and Australia. Also, it is accepted in more than 3,400 institutions in the US and thousands of institutions in English speaking countries.
Recent updates in IELTS
IELTS Test Fee Update: IELTS Test fee is being revised to INR 14,000 for registrations from 1st-April-2020.
CORONAVIRUS ALERT: IELTS Partners has also launched the IELTS Indicator, an online English language test for students who are affected by the COVID-19 and are not able to attend the IELTS test centre. IELTS Indicator will assess the student's English language skills in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Students can take the test online from their homes. Know everything about the IELTS Indicator here
Why IELTS Exam is required?
IELTS 2021 exam is required for migration as well as academic purposes abroad in English speaking countries like Australia, UK, New Zealand, USA, and Canada. It is the only English Language Test approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for visa applicants applying both outside and inside the UK. A lot of students get confused about why are the IELTS scores required. The simple answer to this is that foreign universities and visa granting authorities need to be sure that you will not have communication issues while staying in the country. You need to show a good understanding and strong command of the English language and that is why your overall IELTS scores are so important. Another common doubt students have is whether IELTS is a compulsory exam or not. No, IELTS isn't compulsory in all university admissions. Many universities might not even require IELTS scores for admission purposes. But remember that if you don't give IELTS, your chances of getting the student visa might suffer as the visa officers may not be convinced about your English proficiency without IELTS scores. So it is safer to appear for IELTS and aim to score at least 6 bands overall.
You can take the IELTS exam with the British Council or IDP up to once a week (four times a month). The British Council and IDP global schedule for test dates are 48 days per year.
Also Read: New English Language Proficiency Exam that you can take online
Types of IELTS
There are two types of IELTS exams: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Listening and speaking sections are the same for both these tests, however, the subject matter for the writing and reading sections are different depending on which test one takes. The Reading, Writing, and Listening sections of the IELTS tests are completed on the same day of the test with no breaks between them. However, the Speaking section can be completed either a week before or after the other tests date. This information test can be taken from your test centre. Read: Which exam to give for which course to study abroad
IELTS Academic Test
IELTS Academic is taken by those who apply for higher education or professional registration abroad.
IELTS General Test
IELTS General Test is taken by those who wish to migrate to major English speaking countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK. This test is also taken by those who want to enroll in training programs or secondary education or want to gain work experience in a country where English is the main language used for communication.
IELTS Highlights
| Exam Name | IELTS |
| IELTS full form | International English Language Testing System |
| Official Website | |
| Most popular for | Study, work, and migration to English speaking countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the UK |
| Also accepted by | Canada and USA |
| Conducted by | British Council and IDP Education Ltd |
| Mode of Exam | Computer and Paper – delivered test |
| IELTS Fee | Rs. 14,000 for registrations from 1st-Apr-2021 |
| Score Range | On a scale of 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest) |
IELTS Eligibility
IELTS can be taken by anyone irrespective of age, gender, race, nationality or religion, however, the IELTS test is not recommended for those under 16 years of age.
What is the age limit to appear for the IELTS exam?
As such, there is no age limit set by the IELTS administrators (IDP or British Council), however, it is not recommended for candidates below 16 years. Although if they wish, they can also take the test.
What is the educational eligibility to give the IELTS exam?
As such, there are no minimum eligibility criteria for IELTS set by the conducting bodies of IELTS. Anyone who wishes to pursue higher studies abroad or want to work abroad can attempt the IELTS exam (both Academic and General Training). However, candidates should always check the eligibility criteria set by the educational institution or organization where they are applying.
IELTS Registration
Make sure to keep your passport handy at the time of registration as you need your passport number at the time of registration. Apart from this, you also need to carry your passport on the test day. IELTS Registration can be done in easy steps:
- First, you need to visit the official British Council registration page.
- Create an account with the British Council.
- Find your nearest test center.
- Register for the IELTS test and pay online.
Those below 18 years of age need their parent or guardian to book the test for them. Once the registration is complete, your test center will send a written confirmation to you informing about the date and time of your IELTS test.
IELTS Test dates are available throughout the year, so you can choose the timing of your IELTS exam according to your convenience. The IELTS test centers function on a first-come-first-serve basis, so it is important to book your dates as soon as possible. During the high season, tests can fill up one month in advance. So registering for the IELTS date early is a very important task. The computer-delivered IELTS test is available up to 3 times a day on all 7 days a week. Candidates can get their results in 2-5 days after giving the test. Therefore, you can book your IELTS test as per your convenience. Apart from this, the paper-based IELTS test is also available up to four times a month.
IELTS Test dates are available up to 4 times a month that means IELTS exams are available 48 times across the year. However, the availability of IELTS test dates may vary for the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training exam. The IELTS Academic exam is available on all 48 dates. IELTS exams are usually held on Thursdays and Saturdays.
IELTS Listening, Reading, and Writing tests take place on the same day whereas either the IELTS Speaking test is conducted 7 days before or 7 days after your test date. Also, it can happen that the IELTS test date may not be the same near your IELTS test location as it is in another city.
How to find the IELTS Test Date 2021?
Both IELTS General and IELTS Academic are conducted by the British Council and IDP IELTS India across major cities in India. Hence, students can check out the dates mentioned below and choose the one most convenient for them.
Steps to book IELTS Exam Dates and Location
Candidates who are looking to book their required test centre and IELTS Dates Candidates are required to do the following:
- Visit the British Council official website and click on Register
- Click on 'Find Test Date' and enter in the month city and module of choice
- You will be then redirected to the IELTS Application: Check Test Availability page
- Candidates are required to select the desired date and click 'Apply'
IELTS Test Dates Availability
Computer-delivered IELTS test sessions are now available in 16 cities:
|
Ahmedabad |
Chennai |
Kochi |
|
Amritsar |
Coimbatore |
Mumbai |
|
Bangalore |
Delhi |
Pune |
|
Baroda |
Gurgaon |
Surat |
|
Chandigarh |
Hyderabad |
Vadodara |
|
Vijayawada |
|
|
IDP IELTS National Test Dates 2021
Due to the high demand of students wanting to travel abroad for further education and requiring an IELTS for the same. IDP IELTS India is conducting the IELTS Computer-Based Exam all throughout the months of July and August (with the exception of August 15, 2021) in Tier 1 cities. Candidates are required to check the official IDP IELTS India website to choose from the available dates keeping their college registration in mind. Candidates who opt for the pen-paper module of the exam need to check the select dates on which the IELTS exam is available on the official website.
There are two official bodies that conduct the IELTS Test in 78 locations across India, one of which is the British Council with its branches in 40 locations. Another recognized organization is IDP Education with its presence in 37 cities. The predefined fee for the exam is INR 14,000 irrespective of the organizational body that conducts the exam. To appear for the IELTS exam or to book the test centre, you must talk to the organization authorized to get the exam conducted. You may choose the organization considering the location that better suits your requirements.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: Due to the current pandemic many states are under lockdown, so, test centers in your area may not be functioning. Check at the time of registration whether your test center is functioning or not. Also, if due to lockdown you are not able to go to the IELTS test center you can give IELTS Indicator, which is an online exam that students can take from their home. Learn everything about the IELTS Indicator here
British Council
Head Office: One Horizon Centre, 6th Floor, Golf Course Road Sector 43, DLF Phase–V, Gurgaon, Haryana
Timing: Monday–Saturday, 9 am–6 pm
|
Branches |
Address |
|---|---|
|
Mumbai, Maharashtra |
British Council Division, British Deputy High Commission, 901, 9th Floor, Tower 1 One Indiabulls Centre 841, Senapati Bapat Marg Elphinstone Road, Mumbai–400013 |
|
Kolkata, West Bengal |
British Council Division, British Deputy High Commission, L&T Chambers, 1st Floor, 16 Camac Street, Kolkata–700017 |
|
Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
British Council Division, British Deputy High Commission 737 Anna Salai, Chennai–600002 |
|
New Delhi, Delhi |
British Council Division, British High Commission, 17 Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi–110001 |
|
Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
A503-506, 5th Floor, Amrapali Lakeview Tower, Near Vastrapur Lake, Vastrapur Ahmedabad Gujarat–380052 |
|
Hyderabad, Telangana |
4th Floor, SL Jubilee, Plot No 1202, 1215/A Road No 36, Jubilee Hills Hyderabad Telangana 500 033 |
|
Bengaluru, Karnataka |
Prestige Takt 23, Kasturba Road Cross, Bengaluru–560001 |
|
Pune, Maharashtra |
917/1 Fergusson College Road, Shivaji Nagar, Pune–411004 |
|
Chandigarh |
C515, 5th Floor, Elante Office Block, 178A, Industrial and Business Park, Phase 1, Chandigarh–160002 |
Other locations, where the British Council has its centres:
- Punjab
- Moga
- Jalandhar
- Amritsar
- Patiala
- Bathinda
- Ludhiana
- Gujarat
- Anand
- Vadodara
- Rajkot
- Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Andhra Pradesh
- Vijayawada
- Visakhapatnam
- Goa
- Raipur, Chhattisgarh
- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Rudrapur, Uttarakhand
- Siliguri, West Bengal
- Guwahati, Assam
- Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Patna, Bihar
- Mangaluru, Karnataka
- Kerala
- Thiruvananthapuram
- Kozhikode
- Thrissur
- Kochi
- Kottayam
- Tamil Nadu
- Coimbatore
- Tiruchirappalli
- Madurai
Among the language exams required for admissions to universities abroad, IELTS is the most popular exam among Indian students. It is available in two formats: Academic IELTS and General IELTS. Students are required to take the Academic test, while all other applicants who need IELTS scores for Visa purposes need to take the General test. Here in this article, we will look at how to register for the IELTS Academic test.
IELTS Eligibility
IELTS exam is open for all and there are no specific eligibility criteria. The respective institutes may have a different eligibility criterion but the IELTS has no specific selection criteria. IELTS test is recommended for candidates who are 16 years and above.
IELTS Registration
IELTS test is available on 48 fixed dates per year (up to four times a month), depending on local demand. The candidates have the liberty of giving the exam on any of the 48 days in as per their convenience. Apart from this, candidates can also reattempt the exam whenever they want. Also, there is no limit for giving the IELTS test, candidates can give the IELTS exam as many times as they want or till they reach their dream score. However, every time the candidate has to pay the exam fee of Rs. 14,000.
Steps to register for the IELTS exam
Step 1: Visit the official IELTS website.
Step 2: Go to 'Register for Test' option.
Step 3: Select your preferred test, Test type, and available Test Date in the city.
Step 4: Give your personal details.
Step 5: Give your registration details.
As such, there are no minimum IELTS Eligibility criteria 2021 set by the conducting bodies like IDP and British Council for the IELTS Exam 2021. IELTS is a language proficiency test that is given by those candidates who wish to study in an English speaking country and aim to gain global exposure. The medium of teaching in a majority of the colleges, universities and educational institutions in the major English speaking countries is English language only. So, the candidates should have a basic understanding of the language in order to pursue their higher studies successfully. According to the IELTS Exam Pattern, the candidates are assessed on four parameters Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
What are the different formats of the IELTS Exam?
The IELTS Exam 2021 is conducted in two formats IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training Test. The IELTS Academic is given by those who wish to pursue higher studies in a foreign country, whereas the IELTS General Training Test is for those who want to go to major English speaking countries for pursuing secondary education or gain work experience. Apart from this, it is also used for migration to major economies of the world like the UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. Moreover, a majority of the renowned educational institutes across the world require IELTS total score of 7.0 band with section scores of 6.5 band as eligibility for IELTS.
What is the minimum IELTS Score required by Top Universities?
Every university has a different set of requirements and their own set of guidelines for giving admissions. Also, all the universities have set different IELTS Eligibility Criteria which candidates need to fulfill for getting admitted. In addition to this, candidates should also match the other eligibility requirements set by the university or the educational institute where they are planning to enroll.
Download GuideThe IELTS exam pattern 2021 comprises four sections, Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The candidates are tested on these four parameters. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS exam) can be given in two formats namely IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training Test. Candidates should check the requirement of the college/university they are applying to and then prepare accordingly. IELTS Academic is accepted by universities worldwide where candidates apply for pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate courses. The IELTS test pattern includes 4 sections that evaluate the candidates' ability on various parameters.
It is also accepted by professional organizations that ask for English language proficiency scores from the candidates whose native language is not English. Before preparing for the IELTS Exam 2021 should always check for the IELTS test pattern 2021 and then start preparing for the test. On the other hand, IELTS General Training is given by those who are planning to migrate to a major English speaking nation. It can also be given by those who are shifting to a different country for work-related training. IELTS Test Score plays a significant role in the selection criteria. This exam is conducted and administered by the ETS, Educational Testing Service, across the world. This exam is accepted by more than 10,000 educational institutes in more than 150 countries.
IELTS Paper Pattern
|
Sections with Duration |
IELTS Academic Test Description |
Total Questions |
|---|---|---|
|
(30 minutes) |
It encompasses four recorded monologues and conversations |
40 |
|
(60 minutes) |
Three long reading passages with tasks Texts range from descriptive and factual to discursive, and analytical includes non-verbal material like diagrams, graphs, and illustrations texts are authentic (taken from books, journals, and newspapers) |
40 |
|
(60 minutes) |
A writing task of at least 150 words where the candidate must summarize, describe or explain table, graph, chart, or diagram, and another short essay task of at least 250 words |
2 |
|
(11-14 minutes) |
The face-to-face interview includes short questions, speaking at length about a familiar topic, and a structured discussion |
3 |
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) generally has two formats- IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. You can opt for either one of them depending upon your requirement or the university/ course you will be applying to. Candidates should be well informed that both the versions of the IELTS test are instrumental in providing a valid and accurate assessment of a candidates' listening, reading, writing, and speaking language skills.
Types of IELTS
As mentioned earlier, the IELTS exam is of two types:
IELTS Academic
IELTS Academic is for candidates who are interested in applying for higher education or professional registration to countries that use English as their fundamental language of communication. The main purpose of the examination is to judge whether a candidate is ready to begin studying or training in the English language. Countries that widely recognize IELTS for studying are US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
IELTS General Training
IELTS General Training is for aspirants who are looking to migrate to New Zealand, Australia, Canada, US, and the UK or applying for secondary education, training programs, and work experience in an English-speaking environment. Here the examination focuses on the basic survival skills of a candidate in a broad social and workplace environment.
Highlights of IELTS Exam Pattern
|
Section |
Description |
Questions/Duration |
|---|---|---|
|
It encompasses four recorded monologues and conversations |
4 30 minutes |
|
|
Three long reading passages with tasks. Texts range from descriptive and factual to discursive, and analytical includes non-verbal material like diagrams, graphs, and illustrations texts are authentic (taken from books, journals, and newspapers) |
40 60 minutes |
|
|
A writing task of at least 150 words where the candidate must summarize, describe or explain table, graph, chart or diagram, and another short essay task of at least 250 words |
2 60 minutes |
|
|
The face-to-face interview includes short questions, speaking at length about a familiar topic, and a structured discussion |
3 11 to 14 minutes |
IELTS Section-wise Syllabus
- Writing syllabus
- Reading syllabus
- Listening syllabus
- Speaking syllabus
IELTS Writing Section
Writing: Candidates take an academic writing module. Responses to the academic writing module are short essays or general reports, addressed to an educated non-specialist audience. There are two compulsory tasks. Task 1 requires 150 words, and candidates are asked to look at a diagram, table, or data and to present the information in their own words. Task 2 requires at least 250 words, and all candidates are presented with a point of view, argument, or problem and asked to provide general factual information, present a solution, justify an opinion, evaluate ideas and evidence, etc.
Total no. of questions: 2
Total time: 60 minutes
Writing- IELTS Academic
- It includes two tasks wherein the topics are of general interest and relatable for candidates applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate program.
- For your first task, you will be handed a paper that would contain either a diagram, table, or graph. You will be required to recapitulate and define the given data in your own words. You may be asked to explain a certain data entry, process the given information, or a flowchart to logically arrive at a conclusion.
- In the next task, you need to write an essay as a response to your deduction from the given data and support your argument with relevant examples, through the given data. Please note that the writing style should be strictly formal.
Writing- IELTS General Training
- It also includes two tasks, yet, it is much easier than that of the academic format.
- You will be asked to write a letter as per the given situation. The letter can be formal, semi-formal, or personal depending upon the situation presented. You will be asked to explain, request for something, or support your argument to a certain authority.
- Based on the above viewpoint, you will be asked to draft an essay on the same. The arguments and opinions mentioned here should be supported by relevant instances and the writing style can be a bit personal.
IELTS Result
After you are done with your IELTS exam, your result will be available after 13 days from the test date. The result will be issued in the Test Report Form (TRF) format, and you will receive only one TRF. The TRF shows your scores in all four sections: reading, listening, writing, and speaking, along with your overall band. All five scores are given on a 9-Band scale.
After the completion of your IELTS exam, you will receive IELTS scores for each of the four sections on a band of 1 – 9. Along with that, you will also get an overall band score. In this article, we will inform you of everything about the IELTS Results and scores.
How to calculate IELTS score?
To calculate your IELTS score you just need to simply take out the mean (average) of all the sections' scores, namely, Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. That is the sum of all the scores divided by four. If the average comes out in a decimal point, then it will be rounded off to the nearest half or whole band. For instance, if the average comes out in .25, then it is rounded up to the next half band. So, in this case, if your average score is 6.25, then the final score will be counted as 6.5. In other cases where the average is .75, then it will be rounded off to the next whole band. Therefore, if you get a 6.75 band, the final score will be taken as 7.
See the scoring pattern below to understand how your IELTS score will be calculated.
|
Band |
Skill Level |
Meaning
|
|
Band 9 |
Expert user |
Has fully operational command of the language |
|
Band 8 |
Very good user |
Fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies |
|
Band 7 |
Good user |
Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies and misunderstandings in some situations |
|
Band 6 |
Competent user |
Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations |
|
Band 5 |
Modest user |
Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes |
|
Band 4 |
Limited user |
Have frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language |
|
Band 3 |
Extremely limited user |
Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns occur in communication |
|
Band 2 |
Intermittent user |
Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English |
|
Band 1 |
Non-user |
Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words |
|
Band 0 |
Did not attempt the test |
No assessable information provided |
Why attempt IELTS Practice Test?
IELTS Practice Test: Preparing for the IELTS through reliable study material is only half the battle won. Candidates are always advised to solve as many IELTS Practice Tests as possible. Solving IELTS practice papers would provide candidates an extra edge to be able to perform well in their IELTS examination. Candidates are advised to use the IELTS practice material available on the official IELTS website to the fullest to familiarize themselves with the latest IELTS test format, experience the different types of tasks, and finally self-evaluate answers and compare them with model solutions. For the latest practice tests, click here.
Commonly referred to as IELTS, the International English Language Testing System is an examination that measures the language proficiency of candidates who wish to pursue education or work in locations where English is used as a language of communication. And IELTS practice tests help candidates to better their performance before they actually appear for their test. To be able to excel in the IELTS examination, candidates are always advised to attempt as many IELTS Practice/ Sample papers as possible. Candidates who appear for the IELTS examination or attempt IELTS practice papers are graded on a nine-band scale to clearly identify their levels of proficiency of the English language, from non-user (band score 1) through to expert (band score 9).
Related reads:
Why You Should Take an IELTS Practice Test?
"Practice makes a man perfect" - similarly solving as many IELTS Practice Tests as possible would allow the candidate to get closer to his goal to perform well in his IELTS exam. Candidates should note that these exams are expensive and acing it in the first attempt would save them a lot of money and time as they would not have to attempt it again. Moreover, we as students are not always very confident with our English communication skills, attempting IELTS Practice Tests are only going to make us better in the English language.
How to Take an IELTS Practice Test?
Candidates should watch this space for our very own IELTS mock test paper that we would be creating for our readers. In the meantime, candidates are advised to only refer to the official website for IELTS Practice Test papers. In India, IELTS is conducted by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge Assessment English. Hence, candidates are advised to refer to the official British Council or IDP or Cambridge Assessment English website for IELTS Practice Test material.
Taking the IELTS Practice Test is simple. Candidates can either sit for the IELTS Practice Test online and complete the test within the given duration which is a replica of the test as it would happen at the centre or download the IELTS Practice Test and solve the paper. It is very important to time yourself and follow the guidelines to get the feel of the actual test. While a lot of the IELTS Practice Test material would be available for free, there would also be practice material that you can purchase.
Learning from Your Mistakes in IELTS Practice Test
A lot of times candidates wonder about the benefits of appearing for IELTS Practice Tests. The answer is simple, the benefits are multiple. Appearing for IELTS Practice Tests is a self-evaluation tool. You learn about your mistakes first hand and rectify them. The main purpose of this tool is to measure the effectiveness of your study plan and get to know how prepared you are to take the real test. Most colleges have a cut off that depends on the choice of course and university and it is important to achieve a similar score or higher. Hence, IELTS Practice Tests help you to learn from your mistakes so that you are able to ace your exam in the first attempt and achieve your desired score.
Looking for more IELTS Question Papers?
Are you interested in solving more IELTS Sample papers? Check out extensive IELTS Practice Papers from leading publications, here:
IELTS Key Points
- IELTS Test dates are available throughout the year
- There are 78 IELTS Test Centres spread across India
- The IELTS test scores are declared within 13 days
- The IELTS score is valid for two years from the date of the examination
- IELTS examination is aimed to provide a valid and accurate assessment of the English language
Why attempt IELTS Practice Test?
IELTS Practice Test: Preparing for the IELTS through reliable study material is only half the battle won. Candidates are always advised to solve as many IELTS Practice Tests as possible. Solving IELTS practice papers would provide candidates an extra edge to be able to perform well in their IELTS examination. Candidates are advised to use the IELTS practice material available on the official IELTS website to the fullest to familiarize themselves with the latest IELTS test format, experience the different types of tasks, and finally self-evaluate answers and compare them with model solutions. For the latest practice tests, click here.
Commonly referred to as IELTS, the International English Language Testing System is an examination that measures the language proficiency of candidates who wish to pursue education or work in locations where English is used as a language of communication. And IELTS practice tests help candidates to better their performance before they actually appear for their test. To be able to excel in the IELTS examination, candidates are always advised to attempt as many IELTS Practice/ Sample papers as possible. Candidates who appear for the IELTS examination or attempt IELTS practice papers are graded on a nine-band scale to clearly identify their levels of proficiency of the English language, from non-user (band score 1) through to expert (band score 9).
Related reads:
Why You Should Take an IELTS Practice Test?
"Practice makes a man perfect" - similarly solving as many IELTS Practice Tests as possible would allow the candidate to get closer to his goal to perform well in his IELTS exam. Candidates should note that these exams are expensive and acing it in the first attempt would save them a lot of money and time as they would not have to attempt it again. Moreover, we as students are not always very confident with our English communication skills, attempting IELTS Practice Tests are only going to make us better in the English language.
How to Take an IELTS Practice Test?
Candidates should watch this space for our very own IELTS mock test paper that we would be creating for our readers. In the meantime, candidates are advised to only refer to the official website for IELTS Practice Test papers. In India, IELTS is conducted by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge Assessment English. Hence, candidates are advised to refer to the official British Council or IDP or Cambridge Assessment English website for IELTS Practice Test material.
Taking the IELTS Practice Test is simple. Candidates can either sit for the IELTS Practice Test online and complete the test within the given duration which is a replica of the test as it would happen at the centre or download the IELTS Practice Test and solve the paper. It is very important to time yourself and follow the guidelines to get the feel of the actual test. While a lot of the IELTS Practice Test material would be available for free, there would also be practice material that you can purchase.
Learning from Your Mistakes in IELTS Practice Test
A lot of times candidates wonder about the benefits of appearing for IELTS Practice Tests. The answer is simple, the benefits are multiple. Appearing for IELTS Practice Tests is a self-evaluation tool. You learn about your mistakes first hand and rectify them. The main purpose of this tool is to measure the effectiveness of your study plan and get to know how prepared you are to take the real test. Most colleges have a cut off that depends on the choice of course and university and it is important to achieve a similar score or higher. Hence, IELTS Practice Tests help you to learn from your mistakes so that you are able to ace your exam in the first attempt and achieve your desired score.
Looking for more IELTS Question Papers?
Are you interested in solving more IELTS Sample papers? Check out extensive IELTS Practice Papers from leading publications, here:
IELTS Key Points
- IELTS Test dates are available throughout the year
- There are 78 IELTS Test Centres spread across India
- The IELTS test scores are declared within 13 days
- The IELTS score is valid for two years from the date of the examination
- IELTS examination is aimed to provide a valid and accurate assessment of the English language
IELTS Result
After you are done with your IELTS exam, your result will be available after 13 days from the test date. The result will be issued in the Test Report Form (TRF) format, and you will receive only one TRF. The TRF shows your scores in all four sections: reading, listening, writing, and speaking, along with your overall band. All five scores are given on a 9-Band scale.
After the completion of your IELTS exam, you will receive IELTS scores for each of the four sections on a band of 1 – 9. Along with that, you will also get an overall band score. In this article, we will inform you of everything about the IELTS Results and scores.
How to calculate IELTS score?
To calculate your IELTS score you just need to simply take out the mean (average) of all the sections' scores, namely, Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. That is the sum of all the scores divided by four. If the average comes out in a decimal point, then it will be rounded off to the nearest half or whole band. For instance, if the average comes out in .25, then it is rounded up to the next half band. So, in this case, if your average score is 6.25, then the final score will be counted as 6.5. In other cases where the average is .75, then it will be rounded off to the next whole band. Therefore, if you get a 6.75 band, the final score will be taken as 7.
See the scoring pattern below to understand how your IELTS score will be calculated.
|
Band |
Skill Level |
Meaning
|
|
Band 9 |
Expert user |
Has fully operational command of the language |
|
Band 8 |
Very good user |
Fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies |
|
Band 7 |
Good user |
Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies and misunderstandings in some situations |
|
Band 6 |
Competent user |
Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations |
|
Band 5 |
Modest user |
Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes |
|
Band 4 |
Limited user |
Have frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language |
|
Band 3 |
Extremely limited user |
Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns occur in communication |
|
Band 2 |
Intermittent user |
Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English |
|
Band 1 |
Non-user |
Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words |
|
Band 0 |
Did not attempt the test |
No assessable information provided |
