March 12, 2024, 8:56 p.m.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
IELTS is a globally recognized English proficiency test accepted by prominent universities worldwide. Developed and administered by the British Council, in collaboration with Cambridge Assessment English and IDP Education, IELTS assesses candidates' English language skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. With over 10,000 organizations worldwide recognizing IELTS, including academic institutions, companies, professional bodies, and government organizations, it serves as a standard for English language testing. Accepted in more than 140 countries, IELTS offers two main variants: IELTS Academic Test and IELTS General Training Test, catering to academic and immigration purposes respectively. Additionally, there is an IELTS test specifically for UK Visa and Immigration (IELTS for UKVI). With test centers available in over 1600 locations globally, IELTS scores facilitate admission to prestigious universities in countries like Australia, Canada, the USA, UK, and New Zealand.
Scoring System:
- Each section of the IELTS exam is graded on a scale of 0 to 9 bands.
- Band scores are reported in half bands (e.g., 6.5, 7.0, 7.5).
- Overall band scores are calculated by averaging the scores of all four sections.
- Band scores indicate different levels of English proficiency, ranging from non-user (band 1) to expert (band 9).
IELTS Academic Test
The IELTS Academic Test stands as a crucial milestone for individuals aiming to validate their English proficiency on an academic level. Tailored specifically for students eyeing undergraduate or postgraduate studies in English-speaking countries, as well as professionals seeking accreditation in such environments, this test holds immense significance. It assesses candidates across all language domains – reading, writing, listening, and speaking – providing a comprehensive evaluation of their linguistic capabilities. With its emphasis on academic language skills, the IELTS Academic Test not only serves as a gateway to higher education but also as a testament to one's readiness for professional registration in global contexts.
Format of the IELTS Academic Test:
The IELTS test consists of four main sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each section is designed to measure different language skills.
1. Listening Section:
- Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
- The listening section consists of four recorded conversations and monologues, with a variety of accents. These recordings cover academic topics such as lectures, discussions, and presentations. Candidates answer a series of questions related to each recording.
2. Reading Section:
- Duration: 60 minutes
- The reading section includes three sections, each containing texts related to academic subjects. The texts are taken from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers, and cover a range of topics such as science, history, social science, and literature. Question types may include multiple-choice, matching headings, True/False/Not Given, and sentence completion.
3. Writing Section:
- Duration: 60 minutes
- The writing section comprises two tasks:
- Task 1: Report Writing - Candidates are presented with visual information (e.g., graphs, charts, diagrams) and asked to summarize the key features and compare data if applicable.
- Task 2: Essay Writing - Candidates write an essay in response to a given prompt, expressing their opinion or providing arguments for and against a particular topic. This task assesses candidates' ability to articulate ideas and present arguments coherently.
4. Speaking Section:
- Duration: 11-14 minutes
- The speaking section consists of three parts:
- Part 1: Introduction and Interview - Candidates answer questions about themselves, their studies, work, and interests.
- Part 2: Long Turn - Candidates are given a topic and have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes.
- Part 3: Discussion - Candidates engage in a discussion with the examiner about abstract ideas, opinions, and issues related to the topic from Part 2.
The IELTS General Training Test is all about checking if you've got the right English skills for everyday life and work. It's not just for people moving to countries like Australia, Canada, or the UK, but also for those looking to do training programs or work in English-speaking places. This test helps evaluate how well you can handle tasks like reading signs, writing emails, understanding spoken instructions, and having conversations in English. Whether you're moving for a job or just want to improve your language skills, the IELTS General Training Test is a great way to show what you can do in everyday situations.
IELTS General Training Test Format:
1. Listening Section:
- Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
- The listening section consists of four recorded conversations and monologues, with a variety of accents. These recordings cover everyday topics such as social situations, workplace scenarios, and general interactions. Candidates answer a series of questions related to each recording.
2. Reading Section:
- Duration: 60 minutes
- The reading section includes three sections, each containing texts related to general interest topics. The texts are taken from notices, advertisements, newspapers, magazines, company handbooks, and other sources. Question types may include multiple-choice, matching headings, True/False/Not Given, and sentence completion.
3. Writing Section:
- Duration: 60 minutes
- The writing section comprises two tasks:
- Task 1: Letter Writing - Candidates are presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining a situation. This task assesses candidates' ability to communicate in a formal or semi-formal style.
- Task 2: Essay Writing - Candidates write an essay in response to a given prompt, expressing their opinion or providing arguments for and against a particular topic. This task assesses candidates' ability to articulate ideas and present arguments coherently.
4. Speaking Section:
- Duration: 11-14 minutes
- The speaking section follows the same format as the IELTS Academic test, comprising three parts:
- Part 1: Introduction and Interview - Candidates answer questions about themselves, their daily routines, interests, and preferences.
- Part 2: Long Turn - Candidates are given a topic and have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes.
- Part 3: Discussion - Candidates engage in a discussion with the examiner about abstract ideas, opinions, and issues related to the topic from Part 2.
IELTS for UKVI
IELTS for UKVI is basically the same as regular IELTS. It's a test approved by the UK government to check your English skills if you want to study, work, or move to the UK. It's called a Secure English Language Test (SLET). If you're applying for a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) and need to prove your English skills, you can take the IELTS UKVI Academic test. It's specifically designed for people going through the UKVI application process.
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What is IELTS Life Skills Test?
The IELTS Life Skills Test is a special exam approved by the UK government to evaluate your English speaking and listening abilities. It's known as a Secure English Language Test (SELT). This test is specifically for people applying for certain visas in the UK. It's important if you want to join a family member, spouse, or partner who already lives in the UK, if you're already in the UK and want to settle there permanently, or if you aim to become a British citizen. The focus of this test is solely on your ability to communicate verbally and understand spoken English, reflecting the real-life situations you may encounter while living in the UK.
IELTS TEST FORMAT
The IELTS exam offers two test formats: online, known as Computer-delivered IELTS, and offline, called the IELTS paper-based test. The format of the exam remains consistent regardless of the mode chosen. Both formats include sections for listening and speaking, which remain the same for both academic and general versions. However, the writing and reading sections have slight variations between the academic and general tests.
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IELTS exam fee in Nepal for different IELTS Test type
IELTS Academic and General Training - IELTS exam fee in Nepal for Paper-Based test NPR. 29,500
IELTS Academic and General Training - IELTS exam fee in Nepal for Computer-delivered test NPR. 27,100
UKVI NPR 32,000
Life Skills NPR 22,500