The International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) is designed to assess candidates’ language proficiency in English. This ultimately showcases their ability to study or work in a country where English is the default mode of communication.A student can sit for two variants of the IELTS test. Individuals applying abroad for higher education will need to sit for the Academic IELTS, while those trying for emigration and career purposes will sit for the general training IELTS.
The IELTS exam tests a candidate on 4 different skills of communication:
-
IELTS SPEAKING
The IELTS Speaking Module is a 1 on 1 conversation between the examiner and the candidate in a formal setting. The date for the speaking test differs from the other 3 written modules. Details for the test date and venue are informed prior to the exam. It is usually taken 2-3 days before or after the written exams.
- The duration of the speaking test is 12-15 minutes
- Each of the parts in the speaking module lasts for 4-5 minutes
- The IELTS Speaking Test is assessed and scored to a maximum band score of 9
-
IELTS LISTENING
The IELTS Listening Module is a written test where the candidate listens to a recording and answers questions pertaining to the recording.
- The test runs for 40-45 minutes
- It contains 10 sections
- Each section contains 10 questions
- Each question carries 1 mark
- An additional 10 minutes is provided after the recording ends for transferring the answers to an answer script
- The total marks (40) is then translated to a band score of 9
-
IELTS READING
The IELTS Reading Module differs for the general training and the academic IELTS. However, both the modules:
- lasts for 60 minutes
- provides no additional time for transferring answers onto an answer script
- contains a total of 40 questions, each carrying 1 mark
- marked out of a band score of 9 after translating the 40 marks
- An additional 10 minutes is provided after the recording ends for transferring the answers to an answer script
- The total marks (40) is then translated to a band score of 9
-
IELTS WRITING
The IELTS Reading Module differs for the general training and the academic IELTS. However, both the modules:
- lasts for 60 minutes
- provides no additional time for transferring answers onto an answer script
- contains a total of 40 questions, each carrying 1 mark
- marked out of a band score of 9 after translating the 40 marks
- An additional 10 minutes is provided after the recording ends for transferring the answers to an answer script
- The total marks (40) is then translated to a band score of 9
Registration Details
- The minimum age requirement is 16
- 2 years of validity
- Over 300 centers operating in more than 100 countries
- No restrictions on candidates re-taking the test
- As on April 2023, the registration fee for the IELTS test is Tk.20,250
- The registration fee for both types of IELTS is exactly the same
- The results are published around 2 weeks from the test date
EXAM DETAILS
SCORING METHOD
| Band Score | Module |
|---|---|
| 7 | Speaking |
| 8 | Listening |
| 9 | Reading |
| 8 | Writing |
| 8 | IELTS Band Score |
BAND DESCRIPTIONS
Since the IELTS is a test to prove the proficiency of a candidate in English communication, each of the bands represents the competency of the user in using the language.
| Band Score | Details |
|---|---|
| 9 | Expert User |
| 8 | Very Good User |
| 7 | Good User |
| 6 | Competent User |
| 5 | Modest User |
| 4 | Limited User |
| 3 | Extremely Limited User |
| 2 | Intermittent User |
| 1 | Non-User |
| 0 | Did not attempt the test |
We are all set to begin our first lesson of the IELTS listening module.
