What is the PTE test format?
Reading Time: 6 minutes
Reading Time: 5 minutes
The IELTS test is the International English Language Testing System, which is the world’s most popular English language test. This test has four components that are designed to test various English skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking in less than three hours. It intends to reflect how you use English for studies, works and communication in countries abroad.
There are two types of IELTS test: IELTS Academic suitable to those wanting to go abroad for further studies and professional registration and IELTS General Training for those wanting to work and settle abroad.
Components of IELTS
The IELTS test results are known as the Test Report Form which provides an Overall Band Score and band scores for each of the four elements of the IELTS test: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
IELTS scores the test in bands from 1 to 9 (‘non-user’ to ‘expert’). It is possible to score in whole or half bands, for example: 7.5; 8.5. One can score in half bands or whole bands on any section of the test but the final score is the average of the scores in all four components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
Often a question arises as to “What is a good IELTS score?” or “What is an acceptable IELTS score?”
The IELTS test has been adopted by 140 countries and over 10,000 institutions and organisations to depict whether the candidates English is ‘good enough’ of eligibility – immigration, admissions and hiring. If a candidate is taking an IELTS test as an international student, the institution as well as the government may have a say about what is an acceptable score for admission. If a candidate takes an IELTS test for immigration, that will rely on the sort of visa, for example: work, business, for students or for investors.
According to the British Council if you score a 9 on the test, you’re an ‘expert’ in English; if you score an 8, you’re ‘very good’ at English and so forth.
The score requirements of universities vary as they may ask for different IELTS scores, for example:
Listening | |
Band Score | Raw score out of 40 |
5 | 16 |
6 | 23 |
6.5 | 26-29 |
7 | 30 |
8.5 | 37-38 |
9 | 39-40 |
Below are the tables displaying an average number of marks that are required to obtain a particular band score in Listening, Academic Reading and General Training Reading.
Academic Reading | General Training Reading | |||
Band Score | Raw score out of 40 | Band Score | Raw score out of 40 | |
5 | 15 | 4 | 15 | |
6 | 23 | 5 | 23 | |
7 | 30 | 6 | 30 | |
8 | 35 | 7 | 34 |
1. Achievement of Task (for Task 1); Response for Task (for Task 2)
2. Cohesion and Coherence
3. Lexical Resource
4. Grammatical Scope and Preciseness
The score on the task is the average as the four norms are weighted equally.
1. Fluency and Coherence
2. Lexical Resource
3. Grammatical Scope and Preciseness
4. Pronunciation
The score on the task is the average as the four norms are weighted equally.
Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | Average of the four elements (sum total of the four solo scores divided by four) | Band Score | |
Test taker A | 6.5 | 6.5 | 5 | 7 | 6.25 | 6.5 |
Test taker B | 4.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.875 | 4.0 |
Test taker C | 6.5 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.125 | 6.0 |
You can also maximise your scores by joining IELTS classes. There are IELTS online classes too that offer IELTS online courses. With resourceful online learning materials and rigorous training, you will be able to crack the IELTS test.
Book your seat now at Collegepond IELTS coaching that offers both offline and online IELTS coaching to ease your abroad education hassles.