INTRODUCTION TO THE IELTS EXAMINATION

To start off, the International English Language Testing System known by its acronym "IELTS" basically measures the language proficiency of people who wish to study or work in a setting where English is used as the main language of communication. It applies a nine-band scale of an overall score in order to clearly identify a user’s levels of English language acquisition from non-user (band score 1) to expert (band score 9). Judging from its multifaceted purposes, the IELTS test has got two different categories: the Academic and the General Training module. Such a module that you plan to take will depend on your reasons that you are having in mind.

For example, the Academic module is specifically tailored to those people who are trying to gain entry into undergraduate and postgraduate studies, whereas the General Training on the other hand is designed for those people who are keen to pursue and join some kind of vocational training courses, career purposes, or even for immigration procedures.

Regardless of its distinctive classifications, both the Academic as well as the General Training module aim to demonstrate and reflect various real life situations with respect to the overall assessment of whether a candidate will be able to survive in the English speaking society and across its academic environment. Bottom line, the IELTS test both the Academic and the General Training module are accordingly segmented into four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

Note: As for the listening and speaking parts, they are exactly the same within the Academic and the General Training module. However, the other two sections which cover Reading and Writing tests are the different parts. Thus, the format or the general structure of IELTS test itself can be summarized by the picture given below.

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HOW THE IELTS TEST RESULT IS SCORED?

By far, the IELTS certificate’s fee is relatively costly compared to any other English certificates out there. Unlike the TOEFL test, the estimated amount of IELTS certificate’s fee costs roughly around $190 up to $210; depending on the exchange rate of your local currency. Additionally, the correct answers in each part of the IELTS test are converted into a score on the overall IELTS nine-band scale. The test takers or candidates who sit for the test, in this case, will get separate band scores for each of the Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking section respectively in order to measure how far their English language proficiency on a technical basis. Following the main purpose of measuring the candidates’ language competency, their scores will then be averaged and rounded in which the test maker (the examiner) will apply the confidential conversion table in order to determine and produce the candidates’ overall band score. In many occasions, the scores can be reported in form of either whole or half band where each band corresponds to a descriptive statement; providing an entire summary of the candidates’ English proficiency.

Here is the statement of IELTS band score provided as an example below which will give you a general overview of what sort of competence is required for each score. However, keep in mind that the IELTS result of descriptive statement presented below may not be the actual one and therefore, you are advised to visit the official IELTS website available on the internet.

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IELTS STRUCTURE (1st PART) – LISTENING TEST

In general, the length of duration in Listening test lasts around 30 minutes long. There are 40 questions and four sections provided, where you are given some time to look at all the questions first, as you need to write down your answers once you hear the recording tape is being played. The audio file for this Listening test is played one time only. So, the moment when the recording ends, there will be 10 minutes allocated for you to transfer your answers onto the answer sheet provided. You can practically write down your answers beforehand on the question paper as you listen, and then begin to move all your answers that you have written from the question paper to your answer sheet once the recording tape ends.

Task Types

When it comes to the listening structure in IELTS test, the first two sections are usually concerned with social needs. For example, it could be a conversation between two people organizing an event and discussing their options or preferences regarding the venues, foods, responsibilities, and so forth which are being suggested. The second section, on the other hand, contains a monologue which perhaps, it could be a speech about student’s services on a university or some sort of arrangements for trips such as meals, accommodations, etc during an event. As for the last or final two sections, they are typically concerned with situations related to the educational or training contexts. In the third section, for example, there is a conversation up to four people which it could be a talk about two or three students discussing about a research project with their lecturer, whereas in the fourth section, it contains another monologue which perhaps, it could be an academic lecture or general talk of academic interests.

Overall, a range of native-speakers’ English accents are used in this part of the listening test. There will be a variety of questions covered in this part of the test, usually from these following selected types:

a. Notes/Summary/Flow-Chart/Table completion.

b. Multiple Choices.

c. Short-answer questions.

d. Sentence completion.

e. Labelling a diagram.

f. Classification.

g. Matching.

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IELTS STRUCTURE (2nd PART) – READING TEST

In the IELTS exam, the reading test practically takes up to approximately 60 minutes. There are 40 questions in accordance with the reading passages which contain roughly a total of 2,000 to 2,750 words. Both texts and questions appear on the question paper given, which you can write but cannot remove from the examination room. After all, all the answers that you write must be inserted onto the answer sheet distributed to you within the 60 minutes test. Therefore, keep in mind that no additional time is given to transfer all your answers during the course of IELTS reading section.

Task Types

Basically, there are a variety of questions used which are chosen from these following types:

a. Multiple choices.

b. Short-answer questions.

c. Sentence completion.

d. Summary/Table completion.

e. Labelling a diagram.

f. Choosing the correct headings.

g. Locating information.

h. Identifying the Writer's Views/Claims – Yes, No, Not Given.

Task Type 1: Multiple Choices

Multiple choice questions are used to test a wide range of reading skills. In fact, some of these questions, for example, may require you to understand specific points or the main points of a reading text. To put it simply, you are required to select the best answer from several options (example: A, B, C, D), and to write the letter of your selected answer that you have chosen on the answer sheet provided. After all, the questions are given in the same order as the information revealed from the reading passage.

Task Type 2: Short-answer Questions

The short-answer questions require you to read the passage in details which in this case, these questions do test your ability to find an understanding precise, usually the factual information. In general, these questions follow the order in which the information is given from the reading passage. In addition to that, you are also required to write your answers in words or numbers on the answer sheet. In that case, you are highly advised to read the instructions carefully, as they state the number of words/the numbers that you are required to write them down. The numbers can be given in figures or words. Hyphenated words count as single words whereas contracted words on the other hand will not be tested. Therefore, if you happen to write more than the number of words required, you will definitely lose your mark, even if your answer appears to be the correct word.

Task Type 3: Sentence Completion

The sentence completion type technically has two variations of task. The first one requires you to complete the sentence in a given number of words taken from the reading passage. In fact, the maximum number of words which can be used is given from the instructions. The numbers can be written as figures or words. The words should be taken directly from the reading passage, and should be written in the appropriate spaces on the answer sheet. Thus, if you write more than the number of words asked for, you will practically lose your mark even if your answer includes the correct figures or words. Apart from that, the second variation of task in this sentence completion type requires you to choose the best option from the list outlined. Well, there will be more options to choose from more than the questions provided. So, in this case, you should write the letter of your chosen answer on the answer sheet.

Task Type 4: Summary/Table Completion

The type of this task practically relates to the factual information, and is therefore often used with the descriptive passages. In fact, there are also two variations of this task. The first one requires you to select words/numbers from the reading passages. The summary contained will usually cover only one part of the passage rather than the whole text. The given information may be in the form of a summary, a table with empty cells, several linked or connected notes or a flow chart with missing elements. Then, the answers will also come from one section of a passage rather than from the entire one. So, that is the first variation in this task. The second variation of this task requires you to select answers from the given list of answers, which often consist of one single word.

Task Type 5: Labelling a Diagram 

The type of this task technically requires you to label the numbered parts of a diagram that relates to a description contained from the reading passage. It is often used with texts describing processes or providing a briefly descriptive explanation. The labels illustrated may consist of up to three words which can be the combination of words as well as numbers taken directly from the given reading text. So in that case, you will write the correct labels within the spaces on your answer sheet. The instructions provided will be clearly indicated, as the answer expected to be the correct one will usually come from one passage section rather than from the entire one.

Task Type 6: Choosing the Correct Headings 

This typical task is used with passages that contain paragraphs or sections with some clearly defined themes. You are practically given such a list of headings which are usually identified with lower-case Roman numerals (for example: i, ii, iii). Each heading will refer to the key or the main idea of a section or paragraph; you must match the heading with alphabetically marked paragraphs or sections of the reading text. To put it in a simple explanation, your job in this type of reading task is that you are required to write the appropriate Roman numerals on your answer sheet after you have correctly matched the heading with marked paragraphs alphabetically. Keep it in mind that there will always be more headings revealed than the given paragraphs/sections which in this case, they will probably not be used or left aside. After all, one or more paragraphs/sections may already be matched with a selected heading as the example.

Task Type 7: Locating Information

Locating details in order to recognize a summary or definition requires a wide range of reading skills in this type of task. In fact, you will be asked to find such specific information as reasons for an event, descriptions, comparisons, summaries, elaborations, explanations in the numbered paragraphs of the reading passage, and then write the letters corresponding to the correct paragraphs in the spaces on your answer sheet. Perhaps, there may be more than one piece of information that you need to find in a given paragraph. In such cases, you will also be told that you can use a letter more than once.

Task Type 8: Identifying the Writer’s Views/Claims

The type of this task is practically simple, yet, seems to be dreadfully tricky enough if you fail to perfectly understand the writer’s point of view. There are two variations illustrated in this task:

a. Firstly, “Do the following statements agree with the views/claims of the writer?” – This variation is designed to test your ability to recognize opinions or ideas and is therefore sometimes used with argumentative texts. In that case, you are simply required to write whether if you think that the answer is either “Yes, No, Not Given” in the spaces on your answer sheet.

b. Secondly, “Do the following statements agree with the information from the given text?” – This variation tests your ability to scan and identify specific points of information provided from the reading text. As a result, it is often used with factual texts. Similar to the previous one, in this second type of variation, you are required to write whether if you think that the answer is either “True, False, Not Given” in the spaces on your answer sheet.

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IELTS STRUCTURE (3rd PART) – WRITING TEST

The length of time period given in writing test sections normally constitutes up to 60 minutes approximately. At this stage, there are two tasks needed to be completed whether it is in the academic or general training module. In writing task 1, for example, you are advised to spend about 20 minutes and write at least 150 words whereas in writing task 2 on the contrary, you are required to spend about 40 minutes of your time as you need to write at least 250 words in your essay.

Perhaps, you may write some of your ideas, thoughts, or argumentative points on the question paper before you begin doing your essay. However, once you start doing your essay, make sure that the whole body of your essay must be compulsorily written on the answer sheet. Bottom line, you also need to keep in mind that your answers will not be acceptable if you write them in form of bullet points or notes.

Task Types: Academic Writing Module

a. Writing Task 1: You are asked to describe some presented visual information such as graph, table, chart, diagram as you need to write your explanation in words. Depending on the type of visual input showcased and the specific task given to you, well, you are assessed to organize, deliver, and compare the illustrated data by describing the stages of a process and procedure, explaining a sequence of event, or trying to elaborate how the presented data works.

b. Writing Task 2: You are presented with a perspective or point of argument viewed. In this case, you will be practically assessed on your ability to produce or showcase what could be the best solution proposed to a given case in attempts of justify your best argumentative opinion, comparing and contrasting evidence, or challenging the ideas presented from the given case that you need to address with a solution.

Task Types: General Writing Module

a. Writing Task 1: You are asked to respond to a given issue or problem addressed with a letter requesting information or explaining a situation. Again, depending on the specific task instructed for you to do, it aims to assess your ability to involve or engage in personal correspondence; trying to elicit and provide some general facts or information from the given scenario; express such needs, wants, preferences (likes or dislikes); or demonstrate opinions, perspectives, complaints.

b. Writing Task 2: Similar to the Academic Writing Task 2, you will be presented with a point of view, argument, or a given issue or problem addressed. In this case, you will be practically assessed to provide some general as well as factual information by outlining what could be the root cause of problem as you are expected to present the best solution to the issue addressed; performing a solid justification, hypothesis, argumentative opinion, or trying to demonstrate and possibly evaluate your own ideas, evidence, and even challenging the argument. Whatever it is, do your best to adjust your time properly since the type of writing task 2 both in the Academic and General Training module require you to spend roughly around 40 minutes long, and you need to accomplish the main objective of this task by writing your essay worth 250 words at least.

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IELTS STRUCTURE (4th PART) – SPEAKING TEST

In the IELTS, the Speaking Test part is the last section after a candidate has successfully completed the rest of three challenging sections (Listening, Reading, and Writing). Hence, when it comes to this specific part of the exam, your speaking ability will be practically assessed by these following criteria:

a. Fluency and Coherence: An examiner will expect to see how good you are able to express ideas and opinions clearly without long pauses and hesitations.

b. Lexical Resource: Your ability to apply a wide range of vocabularies naturally when you speak up your ideas or thoughts in regards to the topic given by an examiner.

c. Pronunciation: Your ability to say the words correctly and clearly while you are talking to the examiner.

Overall, the Speaking Test consists of three part of oral interview between you and examiner, as it will consume between 10 – 15 minutes long. Keep it in mind that all parts of interview carried out during this test will technically be recorded.

Part 1: Self-Introduction Interview

At first, the examiner will begin to introduce him/herself and verify your identity (in many cases, you must have and bring your valid ID whether it is your passport or identification number). Then, the examiner will also start questioning you from up to three familiar topics: the first topic given, for example, may be about your work or studies; the second one could be about your favorite activities that you prefer to do in your spare time; as for the last or the third topic might deal with your personal viewpoint on public transportation in the area where you live at. This task, in overall, will last roughly about 5 minutes.

Part 2: Individual Long Turn

Following the self-introduction interviewing stage, the examiner will provide you a task card with a topic given and other lists of items that you must discuss them thoroughly. There will be one minute given for you to prepare your notes, and then begin to talk about your given topic for about two minutes (in case if you fail within those two minutes, the examiner will stop you). In many situations, the examiner will additionally ask one or two questions just to kill the time or round off the long turn. After all, this section takes 3 – 4 minutes approximately, including the one minute preparation (notes taking).

Anyway, the Speaking Test takes place at a different time as it is usually conducted on a different date. It is the last part of IELTS’ structural test after a candidate has successfully completed the rest of three challenging sections ranging from Listening, Reading, and Writing. After all, it is compulsory for you to arrive at the test venue or location 15 minutes earlier, as you must prepare and bring all the necessary stationery in the first place such as pen, pencil, sharpener, eraser since you will not be allowed to borrow those equipment from other candidates (especially, the moment when you have officially entered the exam hall).

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STRATEGIES AND PRACTICE IN IELTS: THE LISTENING TEST

By format, the listening part in IELTS test covers four different sections where each section contains 10 questions and it takes roughly around 30 minutes. As you are already aware of the fact that the recording is played one time only, the success of aiming for your targeted score will certainly depend on how well you are able to grasp and digest the information that you listen to. Perhaps, you are not expected to possess any particular or exceptional knowledge when it comes to the listening test. However, it is necessary for you to take this as an advice for which you should be able to cope up and dealing with a wide range of topics discussed, as well as a variety of different voices and accents spoken. After all, you must also be prepared and familiar with the fact that the typical IELTS recordings in some occasions may feature non-native English dialects such as German or Spanish.

Note: The listening test in IELTS basically measures how well you are able to manage these following skills.

a. Ability to listen to the specific information.

b. Ability to identify the main ideas, supporting information and details.

c. Ability to comprehend or understand the speaker’s opinion behind.

As you know that there are four different sections divided in this IELTS listening test, the questions presented often follow the order of the information in the recording. Therefore, after each section is completed, you are then given some time about 30 seconds to check your answers before you proceed to the next part of the recording.

SECTION 1

In the first section of IELTS listening test, it usually features a conversation concerning about the kind of social needs, for example, an interview at accommodation agency or a survey. The typical questions that you may have to answer in this section 1, perhaps, are in form of table/sentence completion, multiple choice, and short-answer. Subsequently, the target listening skill in this section is that you must be prepared to listen to specific information carefully, for example, the names of spoken items, prices, measurement, and so on.

SECTION 2

Following the first section which has priory been described above, the IELTS listening test in section 2 usually relates to the social and training needs. In this case, you will hear the recording which plays a monologue on the general or non-academic subject; for example, a short conversation talking about on how to use the local library facilities. Additionally, the target listening skill required in this section is that you must be competent enough in capturing the main ideas as well as supporting points as you listen.

Here are some of the following examples of monologue that perhaps, you may happen to hear or listening to in section 2:

a. A library orientation talk.

b. A general speech on the healthy living subject.

c. A talk about enrolment procedures of college admissions.

d. A radio broadcast about some fascinating places to visit in the area.

e. And so forth.

SECTION 3

In the third section of IELTS listening test, the typical recording played is usually concerned with educational or training contexts. At this stage, you will hear a talk among three or up to four people; for example, such an educative conversation between a tutor and his/her students, or several pupils discussing their assignment.

Perhaps, some of the typical tasks which can be found in this section can be in form of summary completion, labelling a diagram, and matching. And obviously, the target listening skill in this section 3 may further test you a wide range of different skills such as listening for specific information, main ideas and supporting points, also understanding a speaker’s opinion. After all, you may have a look at these following examples of conversations that you probably expect to hear in section 3:

a. A group of high school or college students giving their presentation of an academic project.

b. A job interview.

c. A discussion between a student and a mentor on how to complete a given project.

d. And so on.

SECTION 4

Finally, this is the last part of IELTS listening test which is concerned with educational matters and training contexts; for example, a lecture or a general talk of non-academic interest. Besides, some of the typical questions appeared in this section are generally matching the figure, classification, and multiple choices. As you already know that there is no break or pause during this final section, you are strongly advised to look through all the questions presented in the given time prior to the commencement of the recording being played. In any case, it is also important to listen for words signalling a change from one part of a lecture to another.

Here are some of the following examples of monologues below that you may get to hear in the fourth section:

a. A college or university lecture spoken by a professor.

b. A monologue about animal species.

c. A lecture about a subject of historical record.

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KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ACADEMIC AND THE GENERAL TRAINING MODULE

As you know, the reading test is the second part of the IELTS examination which lasts roughly 60 minutes since it consists of 40 questions based on various tasks required. In other words, you will have to go through reading three or four passages roughly about 2,000 – 3,000 words in total. And usually, there are three passages covered in the Academic Reading module while on the contrary, there are three or up to four passages presented in the General Training module. On the practical basis, the IELTS reading module is basically designed to test a candidate a wide range of reading skills such as skimming, scanning, identifying the main ideas, reading for details, and understanding a certain opinion and attitude. While the typical tasks between the Academic and the General Training module are practically the same, however, the types of reading passages among these two modules are considerably different.

Basically, the Academic Reading module usually contains at least one passage organized as a logical argument while the reading texts in the General Training module on the other hand, are likely to appear rather descriptive or instructive. Perhaps, the organization of non-argumentative texts in the General Training module may vary from one to another in general. However, common organizational themes in the General Training exam are usually presented in form of categories, chronological description and describing a process.

Furthermore, another difference between the Academic and the General training module in IELTS test perhaps is that the Academic module involves three reading passages with one passage per section. Some of the reading texts, in fact, are usually derived from books, magazines, newspaper, and even journals. Although the texts are representative with at least one passage contains a detailed argument, however, the passages of reading requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate students are not discipline specific. In many cases, the reading passages in the Academic module are normally presented in an increasing order of level difficulty.

Meanwhile, the General Training module on the other hand involves three or four passages grouped into three or four sections. Section 1, for instance, usually deals with social survival where it consists of one or two texts that are short but contain a plenty of information. While in the section 2, it focuses on the subjects related to general training and usually consists of two texts in which for example, giving information about a university or college services and facilities provided. And last but not least, both part of section 3 and 4 consist of one longer text which is connected to the general training module as they involve the common typical reading comprehension on almost any subjects presented.

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SEVERAL PRACTICAL TIPS AND KEY STRATEGIES IMPLEMENTED IN THE IELTS READING TEST

It is not uncommon that in order to aim for the best results in the Reading test, it is strongly advised that you must implement a mixture of strategies so that you can take an advantage of your time as efficient as possible. Apparently, it is no longer a secret that there are several tips of essential reading comprehension skills which will help you to tackle a certain number of obstacles in this part of the IELTS exam.

1. SKIMMING AND SCANNING

Obviously, it is a very common habit that we tend to apply both skimming and scanning technique regularly in our everyday lives (particularly, when it comes to the reading activity). The skimming technique applied in reading is basically to identify general ideas from a passage and this could be effectively used if an article presented is long enough such as a researched project or a journal report which requires the test taker to quickly gather some of the key information from any given topics. The scanning method on the other side might be useful to find specific information, for example, finding a departure time on a train timetable or when a movie is playing from its regular schedule.

Both skimming and scanning apparently involve reading a text quickly; hence, they are considered as essential skills to be used in the IELTS exam. However, it is necessary to keep it in mind that even though skimming and scanning are considered as the important skills to use in the IELTS reading test, yet, they are used for different purposes. For example, the skimming method could be better applied during the reading test when you need to read quickly just to look out for the main idea of an article without thinking about specific details. While on the other hand, the scanning technique should be better utilized when you need to find particular pieces of information such as evidence or facts.

2. IDENTIFYING MAIN IDEAS AND DETAILS

Often, the texts or passages organized in the IELTS test are generally divided into paragraphs which make a candidate easier to read. Besides, such a reading passage is usually constructed in these following ways:

a. Paragraph 1 (Introduction): theme, statement, objective, purpose

b. Paragraph 2: topic, supporting points, details, arguments, illustrations

c. Paragraph 3: topic, supporting points, details, arguments, illustrations

d. Conclusion: summary and restatement of main idea as overall

Keep in mind that in the introduction part, the writer usually outlines what he or she is going to discuss about along with the main issues to be raised. Each paragraph presented usually deals with one key issue described, which is stated in a topic sentence and it could also possibly be summarized in the last sentence of paragraph. As for the supporting details or additional facts, they are intended to elaborate further the main idea of given paragraph.

3. UNDERSTANDING A WRITER’S OPINION

Literally, such an opinion expressed is basically defined as a personal belief which can either be true or false. It is different from a fact which statement is known for its truth based on generally accepted evidence. Regardless of the pattern of it, a writer’s opinions in the reading texts are usually introduced by phrases such as:

a. Professor Charles argues that .........

b. Some people claim that .........

c. It is a common belief to notice that .........

d. In Thomas’s point of view, .........

e. Many scientists suspect that .........

On the opposite side, certain number of facts might be introduced by phrases such as:

1. According to the latest researched projects, .........

2. Several scientists have discovered that .........

3. Some researched findings confirm that .........

4. As mentioned, it has frequently demonstrated that .........

The typical list of phrases as you can see from the following above examples are the general form of reported speech. Hence, when it comes to answering the writer’s opinion, you should be careful not to allow your own opinions with your choice of answer. In any case, you must remember that when it comes to understanding a writer’s opinion, you are looking for his or her idea (not yours).

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