(Check the meaning of the highlighted C1-level words and phrases in the glossary at the bottom of the post!)
If you need to demonstrate your level of English for work, school, or travel, you’ve probably heard of IELTS. This is the most widely taken English exam worldwide, and it’s often considered the gold standard.
But is the IELTS for you? What’s the structure? How can you prepare? These questions can be challenging when you begin researching the exam for the first time. Don’t sweat it, we’ve got you covered! Read on to find out everything you need to know…
What exactly is IELTS?
IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. As the name suggests, it’s a way to test your English skills and demonstrate your level to universities, immigration services, employers, and many others. Candidates are tested in four main areas:
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
- Speaking
There are two different versions of the IELTS exam. You can choose which one to take depending on your objectives:
- IELTS Academic: Ideal for those seeking college or university admission in an English-speaking country.
- IELTS General Training: Designed for individuals planning to move to countries like the UK, Australia, or Canada or aiming for training programs and exciting job opportunities abroad.
There are also a few specialist IELTS exams. The most popular of these is called ‘IELTS for UKVI’. This is a version of the test for candidates who are looking to begin a new life in the United Kingdom. You can read more about these special versions here.
Is IELTS for me?
With so many different English tests to choose from, you might be unsure if you’re a good candidate for this exam. Generally speaking, IELTS is likely to suit if you:
- Want to work in an English-speaking country or company
- Intend to study at a English-speaking university
- Need a visa to join family in the UK
If none of these situations quite fits, it might be that a different exam would be a better choice. Lots of universities in Europe, for example, will ask for the Cambridge B2 First or C1 Advanced certificate. To read more about alternative English exams, check out this blog post.
What’s the format of IELTS?
Decided to take the plunge and register for the IELTS? The next thing you’ll need to do is familiarise yourself with its structure.
As we said before, there are four main sections. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking tests, but the Reading and Writing vary depending on which version you’ve chosen. As you’d expect, the Academic IELTS tests you on language you’ll need to use when studying at an English-speaking university, for instance.
Another thing to bear in mind is that Reading, Writing, and Listening tests will all be taken on the same day. This is handy because it means that you don’t need to worry about keeping lots of free time aside to be assessed. The Speaking can be arranged for the same day too, or it could be seven days before or after your main exam date. Regardless of when you sit the exam, here’s the format you’ll be working with:
Listening
There are four sections, each with ten questions. You’ll hear everyday social scenarios in sections 1 and 2, and educational discussions in sections 3 and 4. Then, all that’s left is to nail this section by correctly answering questions based on what you’ve heard!
Reading
This section includes three sections, where you’ll read texts from books, journals, magazines, newspapers, and more. After reading, you’ll tackle multiple-choice and short answer questions.
Writing
This module has two tasks that’ll put your creativity and analytical skills to the test. For the first task, you’ll write at least 150 words in 20 minutes. And for the second task, it’s at least 250 words in 40 minutes. The topics will vary depending on which IELTS version you’ve picked.
Speaking
This part is a face-to-face interview with an examiner, who’ll chat with you about your home, family, work, studies, hobbies, and interests. You’ll also talk about why you’re taking the IELTS exam, among a variety of other topics.
How is IELTS scored?
They say it’s the taking part that counts, but if you’ve invested your time and money in preparing for IELTS, of course you want to see results!
A few weeks after you’ve finished the exam, you’ll receive an individual score for each of the four modules of the IELTS test, as well as an overall IELTS score.
All IELTS scores are between 0 and 9. Half marks are possible, so you could receive – for instance – 6.5 or 7.5. Naturally, your overall score is based on the average of your four module scores.
Each score indicates a particular level of English. For example, a good B1-level student would expect to achieve an overall 5.0. The average C1-level candidate should get around 7.0. You can see a table with the full list of scores and levels here.
How do you know what score you need? This will depend on your reason for taking the exam. Consult the website of the organisation you’ll be showing your results to. They will be able to tell you which overall score you need, and if there are any restrictions regarding the score in each individual section. Sometimes, for example, a university will require a 7.5 overall score, with no lower than 7.0 in any of the four parts.
How can I prepare for IELTS?
Especially if this is your first ‘official’ English test, preparing for IELTS might seem quite scary. There’s really no need to worry, though! With the right support and expert instruction, you’ll be well on your way to achieving the score you need. Here are our top tips:
Work with mock exams
These could be old IELTS papers, or activities in the same style created by English-teaching professionals. Some good – free! – sources of mock exams are the official website and the British Council preparation page.
By taking mock exams, you’ll be able to get an idea of which sections you’re already strong at, and which ones still need work. This will guide your future study, and let you focus on the areas that still need improvement.
Take a quality course
If you’re completely new to IELTS, you might find it beneficial to take a course which covers absolutely everything you need to know. In this case, our Complete IELTS Guide would be a great choice. It will prepare you for all key aspects of the exam, and let you feel cool and confident when your exam date comes around.
After taking the mocks, though, maybe you discovered that you’re strong in some areas and weak in others. If this is the case, you can work on certain skills with a more specialised course. Struggling with Academic Writing? We’ve got just the ticket! Vocabulary letting you down? We’ve got a course to help. Whichever part of the exam you need to work on, a quality course will help you feel like an expert.
Practice makes perfect!
As well as formal IELTS practice, it’s a good idea to use your English as much as possible in day-to-day life. You could practise your Listening skills by watching series or listening to podcasts in English. If your speaking needs work, there are lots of things you can do to boost your skills. Take advantage of opportunities to speak English in real life, and by the day of the exam, it will feel like second nature!
TL;DR
The IELTS is an exam to assess your level of English. It can be used for work, study, and travel in most parts of the English-speaking world. It tests the four key skills, and there are two different versions depending on your objectives. The keys to success are plenty of preparation, and a positive mindset – good luck!
To find out more about how Last Minute English can help you achieve success in IELTS, visit our website.
If you’d like to talk to someone about the best IELTS course for you, click here.
For our full range of IELTS preparation courses, visit us on Udemy.
Glossary
Gold standard (n.) – the best example of its type
“Don’t sweat it” – don’t be worried or nervous
Take the plunge (v.) – make a brave decision
Nail (v.) (informal) – do something very well
Pick (v.) (informal) – choose
“Just the ticket” – exactly what you need
Second nature (n.) – something you do naturally, without thinking too much
“TL;DR” – ‘too long; didn’t read’ (informal) – used to provide a short summary of a longer text
