A Complete Guide to IELTS- Crack It with Confidence

The IELTS is divided into four sections, each of which focuses on one language skill. The sections are: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

For Listening, Reading, and Writing, you get a test booklet with pre-printed questions. Unlike many other standardized tests, the IELTS is not a computer-generated test that is viewed onscreen. You enter your answers on paper with a pencil instead of using a keyboard. Multiple versions of the IELTS exist, each with a different mix of questions.

The booklets are changed often, to prevent cheating. The Speaking section is an interview and is scheduled separately from the rest of the exam.

There are two versions of the IELTS : Academic IELTS and General Training IELTS . As you might guess, Academic IELTS is used for school admissions. General Training IELTS is used most often for immigration and employment. However, Academic IELTS is still used for medical jobs and medical skilled migration. The Academic and General Training versions of the exam have the exact same Listening and Speaking sections. However, the Reading and Writing sections on these exams are somewhat different. Below, we’ll take a closer look at each of the four sections individually. And later in the book, each part of the test gets its own chapter.

The Reading Section - IELTS Tips for Reading

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The Reading exam lasts one hour and consists of 40 questions. The Academic IELTS contains three passages. Even though they are written at a college or university level, the passages do not require in-depth subject matter knowledge. Time management is a key skill for the Academic Reading exam. It can be challenging to read each passage and answer all of the questions in time. The General Training Reading section contains three (or sometimes four) passages. The first focuses on a very basic topic from daily life—information about public transportation, a community notice, etc. The second section contains two short informative passages that are typically related to school, work, or community topics. The third (and possibly fourth) passage is a longer essay or article.

The Listening Section - IELTS Tips for Listening

Let us know IELTS Tips on Listening

The Academic and General Training IELTS have the same Listening exam. It contains four passages, each with 10 questions (40 questions total). During the first 30 minutes, test-takers listen to the passages and mark answers in their test booklets as they listen. Each recording is played only one time. The first two passages are usually about topics from daily life, while the last two are more academically oriented. The language gets increasingly challenging from the first recording to the last.

After each recording has been played, there is a 10-minute period in which test-takers transfer their answers from the test booklet to the answer sheet. Only answers submitted on the answer sheet will be graded.

The Speaking Section - IELTS Tips for Speaking

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The IELTS Speaking exam is an in-person interview. It can be scheduled on the same day as the paper exam, or up to one week before or after the paper exam. Check with your local exam center to see when Speaking exam appointments are available for you.

The interview takes 11–14 minutes and contains three sections. In the first section, the interviewer asks very basic questions about general topics: family, hobbies, travel, interests, etc. The second section is a prepared monologue. Test takers have a minute to plan an answer to several prompts related to a specific topic or question. In the third segment of the test, the question and answer format resume. However, this time the questions are more abstract, requiring complex language and vocabulary from you. The questions will relate in some way to the topic of the monologue in the previous section.

The Writing Section - IELTS Tips for Writing

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The IELTS Writing exam involves writing two short passages in one hour. Task 1, which is worth ⅓ of the score, must be at least 150 words long. Task 2 is worth ⅔ of the score and must be at least 250 words long.

On the Academic IELTS, Task 1 involves summarizing the most important information from charts, graphs, diagrams, and/or other visual prompts. On the General Training IELTS, test-takers write a letter for Task 1. The topic and purpose of the letter (i.e. to complain, request information, etc) is provided in the prompt

Task 2 is a formal academic essay. In the second IELTS Writing task, test-takers will respond to an essay prompt. They will need to give their opinion on an issue, supporting their point of view with details and examples. IELTS Writing Task 2 is the same on both versions of the test.

Special Tips for IELTS from Chasing Beans Consultant

Let’s start with some arrival tips. You really should arrive early on test day. You should do this not just so you can find the test center and check-in, but also so you aren’t shut out of the test center for being too late. In most test centers, you are not allowed to enter after 8:45 am.

Now, let’s look at what you should bring to the test, and what you should be prepared to leave outside the testing room. You will only be allowed to have a pencil, eraser, scrap paper, and ID in the test center. Of these three things, only the ID will be a personal belonging; you’ll use a pencil, eraser, and paper provided by the examination center. You will be expected to leave all other personal belongings outside the test room. If you are wearing an overcoat of any sort, you may also be required to leave that behind.

Don’t speak up out of turn, but don’t be shy about raising your hand for permission to speak. If you need to go to the bathroom or have any other important request or question, put your hand right in the air. A test center worker will come over and help you.

Now, let’s talk about answer sheets. In Reading and Writing, fill out the answer sheets as you think of the answers. In Listening, you can write the answers quickly on scrap paper, and then enter them into your answer sheet after you’re done with all of the audio tracks. You have 10 minutes to fill in the Listening answer sheet at the end of the section.

Don’t forget your Speaking interview appointment, and always remember that it’s not automatically scheduled at the same time as the other three parts of the IELTS. Make sure should check your Speaking test schedule online before test day, and save the date and time in your phone or planner. The Speaking test may take place in the afternoon on the same day or the day after the test day.

IELTS Band Score Chart-The Nine Bands are described below:

9	Expert User	It has a completely operational command of the language: appropriate, precise and fluent with a complete understanding.
8	Very good user	It has fully operational command of the language with only occasional inaccuracies and unnatural language choices. Misunderstandings may occur in unknown situations. It can handle complex and detailed argumentation well.
7	Good User	It has operational command of the language, although with occasional inaccuracies, unnatural language choices, and misunderstandings in some situations. You can use and understand relatively complex language, particularly in situations that are familiar to you.
6	Competent user	He generally has an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, unnatural language choices, and misunderstandings. You can use and understand a relatively complex language, particularly in family situations.
5	Modest user	He has partial command of the language, which allows him to face the general meaning in most situations, although he is likely to make many mistakes. You must be able to handle basic communication in your own field.
4	Limited user	Basic competence is limited to very familiar situations. He has frequent problems with comprehension and expression. You cannot use complex language.
3	Extremely limited user	Transmits and understands only the general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent communication failures occur.
2	Intermittent user	Real communication is not possible, except the most basic information with isolated words or short constructions in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
1	No User	Real communication is not possible, except the most basic information with isolated words or short constructions in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoke and written English.
0	Did not try the test	No evaluable information was provided.

Author Bio: Chasing Beans Consultant is an IELTS coaching in Ahmedabad and is an excellent platform for world-class IELTS training, communication skills, and personality development.