International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

The IELTS Academic test is for people applying for higher education or professional registration in an English speaking environment. Again IELTS is the only English language test that is accepted by all of the key immigration authorities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, for visa applications and migration purposes.

The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

PATTERN OF TEST

1. Paper-based IELTS
2. Computer-delivered IELTS

TEST STRUCTURE 

LISTENING

1. 1. a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.
   2. a monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities.
   3. a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context,  e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment.
   4. a monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture

ACADEMIC READING

1. 1. books, journals, magazines and newspapers.

GENERAL TRAINING READING

1. 1. books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines

ACADEMIC WRITING

1. 1. you will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.
   2. you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Responses to both tasks must be in a formal style

GENERAL TRAINING WRITING

1. 1. you will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information, or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
   2.  you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be fairly personal in style.

SPEAKING

1. 1. the examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes.
   2. you will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic.
   3. you will be asked further questions about the topic in Part 2. These will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts between four and five minutes.

International English Language Testing System Application-Form

Source : IELTS