What is the IELTS exam?

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:

What is the IELTS exam?

Who owns IELTS?

Key facts about IELTS

IELTS score requirements overview

Types of IELTS exams

Score requirements

The process of taking an IELTS exam

The IELTS scoring scale

Pros & cons of taking IELTS

The best materials to prepare for IELTS

How difficult is the IELTS exam

How to get the score you need

So grab a cup of coffee, put on your thinking cap, and let’s dive into the world of IELTS.

What is the IELTS exam?

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.

Who owns the IELTS?

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.

Key facts about the IELTS

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:

• Over 3 million people take the IELTS exam yearly, making it one of the world's most popular language proficiency tests.
• The exam is available in over 140 countries, making it accessible to people all around the globe.
• The IELTS exam is recognized by over 10,000 organizations worldwide, including universities, employers, and immigration agencies.
• The test measures proficiency in 4 key areas: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. These areas are critical for effective English communication and essential for academic, professional, and personal success.
• The maximum score on the exam is 9.0, and scores are reported in half-point increments.
• The majority of IELTS test takers score between 5.0 and 7.5. Achieving a score of 6 or above indicates a “Competent User,” with anything 7 and above being rated as “Good.”

Two types of IELTS exams and their purposes

There are two types of IELTS exams available: Academic and General Training.

Academic IELTS

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.

General IELTS

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.

IELTS score requirements overview

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.

The process of taking an IELTS exam

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.

• The listening section (30-40 minutes) requires you to listen to recordings and answer questions based on what you hear. The recordings may include conversations, monologues, and other forms of spoken English. You must demonstrate your understanding of the recordings' main ideas and specific details.
• The reading section (60 minutes) requires you to read passages and answer questions based on the information presented. The passages may include articles, essays, and other forms of written English. You must demonstrate your ability to understand the main ideas, details, and opinions expressed in the passages.
• The writing section (60 minutes) requires you to write essays or respond to written prompts. You must demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively in written English, using appropriate grammar, vocabulary, and organization. The writing section may include tasks such as describing a graph or chart, expressing an opinion, or writing an essay on a topic.
• The speaking section (12-15 minutes) requires you to converse with an examiner. You must demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively in spoken English, using appropriate grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. The speaking section may include tasks such as describing a picture, discussing a topic, or expressing an opinion.

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.

The IELTS scoring scale

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:

• 9.0 – Expert user
• 8.0 – Very good user
• 7.0 – Good user
• 6.0 – Competent user
• 5.0 – Modest user
• 4.0 – Limited user
• 3.0 – Extremely limited user
• 2.0 – Intermittent user
• 1.0 – Non-user

What are the Pros and Cons of taking the IELTS exam?

Pros:

• Widely recognized and accepted by universities, employers, and immigration agencies in many English-speaking countries.
• Provides a measure of your English language proficiency that can be used for personal and professional development
• Helps you improve your English language skills through practice and preparation
• Possibilities for education, work, and immigration to English-speaking nations are all bolstered by the ability to communicate well in English.

Cons:

• Can be challenging and demanding, requiring a high level of preparation and skill to achieve a good score
• Can be expensive, with costs ranging from around $200 to $250 depending on the country and test center
• Can be stressful, requiring you to manage your time effectively and stay focused during the exam, and spend a lot of time studying
• You may require special accommodations if you have a disability or special needs that require accommodations for the exam.
• The validity of IELTS is only 2 years from the day you take the exam. You may need to retake if IELTS certification is required.

The best materials to prepare for IELTS

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.

Five best websites to learn IELTS

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:

1. IELTS.org: This is the official website of the IELTS exam and offers a wealth of resources and information to help you prepare for the exam. The website includes practice tests, preparation materials, tips, and advice on improving your score
2. Road to IELTS: This is an online preparation course the British Council offers. The course includes practice tests, study guides, and expert advice on improving your English language skills. It also provides tips and strategies for success on the IELTS exam.
3. IELTS Liz: Liz, an experienced IELTS teacher, and examiner, runs this website. It offers a range of resources and materials, including practice tests, sample questions, and tips on improving your score. The website also includes a blog with helpful articles and advice on IELTS preparation.
4. IELTS Advantage: This website offers a range of resources and materials to help you prepare for the IELTS exam. It includes practice tests, study guides, and expert advice on improving your English language skills. The website also offers a range of online courses and workshops to help you prepare for the exam.
5. IELTS Online Tests: This website offers a range of free practice tests and study materials to help you prepare for the IELTS exam. The website includes practice tests for all four exam sections, sample questions, and expert advice on improving your score.

Whether you're looking for practice tests, study guides, or expert advice, these websites are a great place to start.

How difficult is the IELTS exam compared to other English qualification exams?

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.

How to get a good IELTS score

Getting a good score on the IELTS exam requires dedication and preparation. Here are some tips to help you achieve your desired score:

• Familiarize yourself with the exam format: Knowing the exam format will help you manage your time effectively and understand what is expected of you in each section.
• Practice your English language skills: The IELTS exam assesses your proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Therefore, practicing all four skills regularly is essential to improve your overall score.
• Take practice tests: Practice tests are a great way to identify areas where you need improvement and develop strategies to improve your performance on the exam. More than that, taking practice tests has been scientifically proven to the most effective thing you can do to improve your test performance.
• Manage your time effectively: The IELTS exam is a timed exam, and it's essential to manage your time effectively to complete all sections within the allotted time. It’s a good habit to start timing yourself while you’re doing practice exercises at home so you can get used to the time requirements.
• Focus on accuracy and fluency: The IELTS exam assesses your ability to communicate fluently and accurately in English. Therefore, it's essential to focus on both aspects when practicing your English skills.
• Get expert guidance: Taking an IELTS preparation course or working with a tutor can provide expert guidance and feedback on your English language skills that you wouldn’t be able to get by yourself. You can read about our online IELTS writing course here and see how it can help you.
• Stay calm and focused: The IELTS exam can be stressful, but it's essential to stay calm and focused during the exam to achieve the best possible 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.

Want to make sure you get the score you need?

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.