Published: Mar 30, 2023 | By: Lucas Weaver
If you’re planning to take the IELTS exam, congratulations, you’re about to embark on a journey full of excitement, suspense, and stress-induced tears.
Okay, I’m just kidding about the tears part, there’s actually no reason to be intimidated. With enough preparation and practice, you'll be able to pass your IELTS exam and get the qualification you need to achieve your goals, whether it’s for school, a job, or emigration.
In this post, I’ll explain the following:
IELTS score requirements overview
The process of taking an IELTS exam
The best materials to prepare for IELTS
How difficult is the IELTS exam
So grab a cup of coffee, put on your thinking cap, and let’s dive into the world of IELTS.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a standardized language proficiency test designed to assess your ability to communicate effectively in English. The test measures your proficiency in four key areas: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.
This exam is common practice for people who need to evaluate their English language skills for either personal or professional growth to take this examination, as it is a necessary test for those who wish to study or work in countries where English is the primary language.
IELTS is jointly owned by three reputable organizations: the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English. These three organizations bring expertise and knowledge to the IELTS exam's development, administration, and promotion. Their joint ownership ensures that the IELTS exam is of the highest quality and meets the needs of various individuals, universities, organizations, and governments worldwide.
Nowadays, IELTS is a widely recognized and accepted standardized language proficiency test that assesses a test taker’s ability to communicate effectively in English. Here are some interesting stats about the IELTS exam:
There are two types of IELTS exams available: Academic and General Training.
The Academic IELTS is for individuals who want to study at a university or other institution of higher education. It is suitable for students who wish to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate courses in an English-speaking country. The exam assesses the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in English in an academic setting.
The General Training IELTS is for individuals who want to work, immigrate, or undertake non-academic training in an English-speaking country. This exam is ideal for individuals who wish to gain work experience, migrate to an English-speaking country, or pursue vocational training. The exam assesses the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in English in a practical, everyday context.
The format of the exams is similar, however, the Academic and General Training exams have different reading and writing sections. The reading and writing sections in the Academic exam are more challenging, and the topics are related to academic subjects. The reading and writing sections in the General Training exam are more practical, and the topics are related to everyday life.
The minimum acceptable score on IELTS to qualify for a particular program or position can change significantly. For instance, if you want to apply to a university, you'll need a higher IELTS score than if you're looking for a job requiring some English knowledge.
Generally, standard minimums for university admission range from 6.5 to 7.5 on the IELTS. Some programs and institutions, such as doctors, require even higher scores.
Nonetheless, immigration authorities’ standards vary by nation and visa type. A score of 5.0 or 5.5 on the IELTS may be required for a basic understanding of English in some countries, while a score of 6.5 or more is needed for skilled migration or professional programs in others.
To avoid any confusion or disappointment, it is crucial to check with the relevant school, company, or immigration agency for their score criteria.
To take this exam, you must first register at an IELTS testing center in your area. You can find a list of test centers on the official IELTS website. Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email with the exam date, time, and location.
As IELTS is a timed exam, you will have a specific amount of time to complete each test section. The exam's reading, writing, and listening sections are all taken individually. In contrast, the speaking section may be scheduled on a different day.
The IELTS exam consists of four sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Each section is designed to test the respective aspect of your language proficiency.
No matter which section, one of the most important factors is staying calm and on task during the exam while using your time wisely. Also, one tip that I repeat over and over in my IELTS course: is clarity over intelligence. It’s more important to be clear in your opinions and arguments in the speaking and writing sections than it is to seem smart with big words.
IELTS scores range from 0 to 9.0, reported in half-point increments. The scoring system is designed to measure your English language proficiency level.
A score of 9.0 indicates that you have an expert level of proficiency in English, while a score of 1.0 means that you have a non-user level of ability. The bands are as follows:
Preparing for the IELTS exam can be daunting. Still, with proper preparation and practice, you can achieve the score you need and earn your certificate. The key to success is to practice, practice, practice.
Luckily for you, there are many online resources to prepare for the IELTS exam. You can find a wealth of practice tests, study guides, and sample questions that will give you an idea of what to expect on the exam.
Many websites offer resources and practice materials to help you prepare for the IELTS exam. Here are five of the best websites to learn IELTS:
Whether you're looking for practice tests, study guides, or expert advice, these websites are a great place to start.
The IELTS exam is generally more challenging and demanding than other English language exams, such as the TOEFL, PTE, or Cambridge Intermediate English exams. However, it is not as difficult as the Cambridge Advanced exam.
The strict and challenging format of the IELTS test is one of the reasons why it is more complicated than other English language tests. The test aims to see if you can speak and write English fluently and correctly, using correct grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
Also, the IELTS test is made to see how well you can communicate in different situations, like school, work, and social situations. This makes the test more challenging than other English language tests focusing on limited situations, like only Academic or Business English. The IELTS test requires you to understand and use a wide range of words, phrases, and grammar structures, which can be challenging for people who don't speak English as their first language and aren’t used to using it at a high level.
Getting a good score on the IELTS exam requires dedication and preparation. Here are some tips to help you achieve your desired score:
By using these tips and practicing and studying regularly, you can get a good score on the IELTS test and open up new opportunities for personal and professional growth.
I’ve been teaching IELTS students for over 7 years, so I know what it takes for students to achieve their needed scores from the IELTS exam. My updated IELTS course is 100% online and self-paced, so you can take it anytime, anywhere.
With total honesty, I’ll tell you that it also has the highest level of production quality of any of the courses that I offer. I used a teleprompter, and a soundproof studio, and spent hours and hours writing out the scripts and editing the videos all on my own.
The result is an incredible online IELTS course that combines all of my knowledge and expertise of teaching students how to pass the IELTS exam. I’ve made sure it has everything you need to know to get the score you need in your IELTS exam.
Click here to sign up for my IELTS writing course online.
If you have any other questions about the IELTS exam you can send me an email and I’ll be happy to answer those as well.
Lucas Weaver founded The Weaver School in 2016. He's passionate about using the latest learnings in neuroscience and education to create the best language learning experience possible for our students, so they can quickly build effective language learning habits that will last for years. Lucas is a graduate of Texas A&M University and after 7 years of living in the Netherlands, he is currently traveling through Southeast Asia while learning their languages along the way.