The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is designed to help you work, study or migrate to a country where English is the native language. This includes countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA. Your ability to listen, read, write, and speak in English will be assessed during the test. IELTS is graded on a scale of 1-9. IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council; IDP IELTS; and Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
If you are looking to work, live or study in an English-speaking country, then you must be able to demonstrate a high level of English language ability. English is the third most spoken language in the world with 379 million speakers worldwide. Being able to communicate in the native language of the country you wish to work or study in, has a wide range of benefits. It is also essential for job opportunities as well as integration into the community. IELTS is the most popular test for those looking to migrate to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK. It is globally recognized by more than 11,000 employers, universities, schools, and immigration bodies including 3,400 institutions in the USA.
Test sections of the IELTS
The IELTS listening, reading, and writing sections are all taken on the same day. You can choose to do your speaking test on the same day as the other sections, or up to a week before or after.
In the listening section of the test, you’ll listen to four recorded monologues or conversations. This takes 30 minutes, plus 10 minutes for writing up your answer.
The reading section of the test takes an hour; it consists of three long reading passages with tasks. The texts given will be found in books, journals, and newspapers with graphs and illustrations possibly included.
In the writing section, you’ll need to write a minimum of 150 words on the graph, table, or diagram given. You’ll then have a short essay task of 250 words minimum.
This section is relatively short and may only last around 15 minutes. You will need to talk at length about a familiar topic, and answer questions. This section is face-to-face with an examiner who will determine your score.
Main differences between TOEFL and IELTS
- TOEFL generally requires that you only use either US English or UK English during your examination and not mix the two, whereas IELTS seems to be a bit more flexible
- TOEFL consists mainly of multiple-choice questions and the IELTS has more variation in how questions are formed and answers need to be given
- The IELTS exam is shorter than the TOEFL
- The IELTS speaking section is done face-to-face with an examiner