IELTS Test Format
Scores above 7 effectively cannot be reached without deep understanding of IELTS exam format. This challenge covers how IELTS is structured. Use it to make sure you understand what you will encounter during the examination and detect possible problem areas.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
It is an international standardised test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. Probably, it is the most popular formal English test in the world.
IELTS Listening
Candidates listen to four recordings of native English speakers and then write your answers to a series of questions. Assessors will be looking for evidence of candidates' ability to understand the main ideas and detailed factual information, the opinions and attitudes of speakers, the purpose of an utterance and evidence of test takers' ability to follow the development of ideas.
IELTS Speaking
In Speaking part of the exam, candidates talk with the examiner in English. They start with answering questions about familiar topics, then prepare and present a speech according to a task card they receive. The last part is a more abstract discussion on a broader subject related to the topic of the monologue.
Assessment criteria are as follows.
- Fluency and coherence
- Lexical resource
- Grammatical range and accuracy
- Pronunciation
IELTS Reading
The Reading section consists of 40 questions, designed to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognising writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose.
IELTS Writing
In Writing part of the exam, candidates receive task cards with two tasks and write responses according to them.
Assessment criteria are as follows.
- Task achievement (for Task 1), task response (for Task 2)
- Coherence and cohesion
- Lexical resource
- Grammatical range and accuracy.