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All About IELTS – Listening , Reading , Writing & Speaking

Do you want to go abroad for studying or for working purpose or immigration then you have to know all about The IELTS Exam. Yes, because most of the universities and countries of the world have some requirements and IELTS is must. So today we are going to know all the questions about IELTS.

What is IELTS?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular high-stakes English language proficiency test for study, work and migration. It is jointly operated by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English. There are two IELTS tests available – IELTS Academic (for higher education- undergraduate, postgraduate or PhD) and IELTS General Training (for immigration / employment / business). The difference between Academic IELTS & General Training IELTS is not too much.

Why IELTS Exam Is Required?

IELTS is actually a test which evaluate your skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking in English. It is structured to reflect how you will use English at study, at play and at work in your new life abroad. By a good band score of IELTS test, you are able to apply to study at many international schools, universities, employers, immigration authorities and professional bodies.

IELTS Exam Format

The IELTS exam test you on 4 difference skill (listening, reading, writing & speaking) of communication. You will get a band score (0-9) for each skill and also an overview band score. The overall band score is the average score (0-9) of all the skills. Total time of the test is 2 hour 44 minutes plus 10 minutes of transfer time. The Listening, Reading, and Writing test are always taken immediately after each other and without break in one day. The Speaking test will be held either on the same day or seven days before or after the test date, depending on local arrangements.

                 IELTS Test Component             Brief Description
Listening (Same for Academic IELTS and General Training IELTS) Four sections, 40 items
Reading (Different for Academic IELTS and General Training IELTS) Three sections, 40 items
Writing (Different for Academic IELTS and General Training IELTS) Two tasks
Speaking (Same for Academic IELTS and General Training IELTS) Three-part one-on-one conversation

1) IELTS Listening Test 

In this test you will listen to four recorded texts, monologues and conversations by a range of native speakers. Each section is heard only once. You can note while listening to the audio, which can be referred to while answering the questions. Total 40 question have to be answered within 30 minutes. Each question carries 1 mark.

2) IELTS Reading Test 

In the IELTS reading test total 40 question have to be answered within 60 minutes. The IELTS Reading test is designed to evaluate your reading skills, including how well you-

  • read for the general sense of a passage.
  • read for the main ideas.
  • read for details.
  • understand inferences and implied meaning.
  • recognize a writer’s opinions, attitudes and purpose.
  • follow the development of an argument.

There are some difference between IELTS academic reading test and IELTS general training reading test.

Three long texts are included in The Academic reading test which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. The texts are authentic and are taken from books, magazines, journals and newspapers. Texts are appropriately or suitably designed for those who are entering undergraduate or postgraduate courses or seeking professional registration.

The IELTS General Training reading test includes three passages with tasks which requires you to read extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. This part basically includes those things you are likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English Speaking environment.

3) IELTS Writing Test

The IELTS writing test will take 60 minutes. There are some difference between IELTS academic writing test and IELTS general training test.

  • IELTS Academic Writing Test:

The IELTS Academic writing Test includes two tasks and both tasks must be written in a formal style.

Task 1: You will be presented with a chart, table, graph or diagram and you will be asked to describe, summarize or explain the information in your own words.

Task 2: In this part, an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem has to be written.

  • IELTS General Training Writing Test:

The IELTS General Training writing test includes two tasks. These are based on topics of general interest.

Task 1: You will be asked to write a letter (personal, semi-formal or formal in style) requesting information or explaining a situation.

Task 2: In this part, an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem has to be written.

4) IELTS Speaking Test

IELTS Speaking test is a face-to-face interview, which will take about 11 to 14 minutes. The Speaking test is designed to assess your use of spoken English (the speaking test is the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training). Every test is recorded.

The Speaking test consists of three parts:

Task 1: In this part they will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as your home, family, work, studies and interests.

Task 2: They will give you a card and you have to talk about a particular topic. For preparing you will have one minute before speaking. Then you will be asked one or two questions on the same topic to finish this part of the test.

Task 3: You will be asked further questions which is connected to the topic in Part 2. It’s an opportunity to discuss more abstract issues and ideas.

IELTS Test Centre & Registration Method

The IELTS test centers offer paper-based IELTS at 8 test locations of British Council & IDP across in Bangladesh – Dhaka (Uttara, Gulshan, Banani, Mirpur and Dhanmondi), Chittagong, Khulna and Sylhet. And computer-based IELTS at two locations – Dhaka (Dhanmondi and Banani)

There are two ways to register for the IELTS exam- online and at the test center. This will require-

  • A valid passport for registration in IELTS exam.
  • Passport size newly taken photo.
  • Registration fee: BDT 18,750 BDT for IELTS (academic & general), BDT 21,100 for IELTS for UKVI.

IELTS Result & Test Report Forms (TRFs) Collecting Procedure

For your IELTS result you won’t have to wait long. The result of the paper-based test will be published after 13 calendar days from the test date. And the result of the computer-delivered test, will be published after 3 to 5 calendar days from the test date.

There is an important think that organizations or institutions will usually not accept your results if they are more than two years old. But there are no restrictions on re-taking IELTS. You can give a test as soon as you feel you are ready to do so.

You can get only one copy of your Test Report Forms (TRFs). Up to 5 copies of your TRF will be posted to the relevant institution(s) you have listed on your IELTS application form at a time. Electronic copy of TRF is free of charge. Extra TRFs beyond these 5 can be requested from the test Centre. But an administration fee of 750 BDT for each additional TRF will be charged.

British Council website- https://www.britishcouncil.org.bd/bn

IDP website- https://www.idp.com/bangladesh/

IELTS Preparation & Tips

This preparation does not depend entirely on coaching. Some techniques are taught in coaching, the rest is up to you. Besides coaching, it is also possible to prepare for IELTS at home with the help of internet. Just need your commitment. At the end of your preparation you can give mock test at anywhere just to check your preparation level. By this you can understand the whole process of IELTS.

Some tips for IELTS preparation-

  • Spent time with people to practice your speaking and listening.
  • Expand your vocabulary.
  • Read newspaper.
  • Practice some expressions for speaking and writing.
  • Simulate your speaking test.
  • Never ignore grammar. It can help to understand if something is past, present or future.
  • Practice exams regular.
  • Notice your progress everyday.
  • Find your weakness.
  • Work on your logical thinking skill.
  • Check your body language.

Some Important Books For IELTS

The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS, Cambridge English Vocabulary for IELTS, Practical English Usage by Michael Swan, TOEFL by Cliffs, Barron’s IELTS Super pack, Cambridge IELTS 14 Academic Student’s Book with Answers with Audio, Official IELTS Practice Materials etc.

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