What is IELTS?

The IELTS Test

The "official paragraph" below pretty much explains the test, so simply put:  

"IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to

assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where

English is used as the language of communication. It covers the four

language skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking."

IELTS is basically the most renowned and trusted test - it has been around

since 1989 and over 700,000 people a year actually take the test in 120

countries.

So to actually explain how the test works and what you will actually need to

do:  

IELTS is available in two modules: Academic and General Training.

Candidates are tested in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

• Listening: 4 sections, 40 items, time 30 minutes
  
• Academic Reading: 3 sections, 40 items, time 60 minutes
  
• Academic Writing: 2 tasks (150 & 250 words), 60 minutes
  
• Speaking: 11 to 14 minutes
  

The first three modules - Listening, Reading and Writing - must be completed

in one day.  The Speaking Module may be taken, at the discretion of the test

centre, in the period seven days before or after the other Modules.  

All IELTS results are released 13 calendar days after the test.

All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules. If you are planning to undertake academic study it is recommended that you sit for the Academic Reading and Writing Modules. If you are planning to undertake non-academic training or apply for immigration to Australia or New Zealand it is recommended that you sit for the General Training Reading and Writing Modules. Please ask at the IELTS centre if you are unsure of which module to take.

Results are returned to the candidates within two weeks in the form of a Test Report Form (see next item).

• Candidates receive scores on a band scale from 1 to 9
• Candidates receive a score for each module of the test as well as an overall score.
• Overall Band Scores and Listening and Reading Band Scores are reported in half bands; Writing and Speaking Band Scores are reported in whole Bands.
• There is no pass or fail mark.
• The IELTS Handbook provides a written Interpretation of Results.
• Results are valid for two years.
  

The Test Report Form
IELTS provides a profile of English language ability in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

A Band Score for each of the four modules as well as an overall score is recorded on the Test Report Form. This allows receiving institutions to clearly identify the candidates' strengths and weaknesses. These Band Scores are recorded on the Test Report Form along with details of the candidate's nationality, first language and date of birth. The Test Report Form indicates whether it is for an Academic or General Training candidate.

Marking at the test centre ensures that test results are available without any administrative delay.

A valid Test Report Form bears a centre stamp, a validation stamp and the IELTS administrator's signature. Test Report Forms should be sent directly from the test centre to the receiving institution or organisation. Photocopies should not be accepted.

Interpretation of Results
Each Band corresponds to a descriptive statement giving a summary of the English of a candidate classified at that level. Overall Band Scores can be reported in either whole or half Bands.

The nine bands and their descriptive statements are as follows:

9 Expert User
Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.
8 Very Good User
Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
7 Good User
Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
6 Competent User
Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
5 Modest User
Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.
4 Limited User
Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.
3 Extremely Limited User
Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
2 Intermittent User
No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
1 Non User
Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
0 Did not attempt the test
No assessable information provided.