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IELTS
is an English Language Proficiency test that is required to be
taken by non-native students for study in countries where the medium of
instruction is English. Among the popular study destinations IELTS is accepted
by universities in UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
IELTS is jointly
managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council,
and IDP: IELTS Australia.
It has become a mandatory test for students of many nationalities to
get student visas to Australia. You cannot
be granted an Australian student visa without an IELTS score if you are
from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and many other countries, TOEFL
is not accepted.
All
other study destinations either require you to take the TOEFL or IELTS.
IELTS is however not accepted by most universities in USA. TOEFL is
required for study there.
The test is conducted by the British
Council. You can contact your local British Council
office to find out where your nearest test centre is
located. Most centres normally have a testing session about
once a month. You should contact the test centre to find out the date
of the next test and collect the IELTS handbook and an application
form. The filled application form should be sent back to the test
centre with the test fee. You will be given a date and time of your
test.
The
British Council also runs short courses to prepare you
for IELTS. Check details about the same from your test
centre.
The
test results are normally made available within two weeks of taking the
test. You can also ask for more copies of your test results.
The
test has different sections:
The Listening Section - Duration : 30 minutes
Academic reading/general training reading section - Duration : 60
minutes
Academic writing/general training writing section - Duration : 60
minutes
Speaking Section : Duration : 11 - 14 minutes
Total
test time : 2 hours and 45 minutes
You
will receive a separate Band Score. The four Band Scores, one for each
section are added together and averaged for an Overall Band Score. Each
Band has a statement giving a summary of the English at that level.
There are nine Band levels, from one (non-user) to nine (expert user).
The
minimum score accepted for a course ranges from 5.0 to 7.5, depending
upon courses and institutes you are applying to. The most common
requirement is a band score of 6 to 6.5.
Test Reports have a validity of two years.
You can retake the test if you donot
achieve the desired score but not before three months
of the first test date.
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