Get to know what IELTS is all about. Kansas Overseas can help you get the IELTS score you need. For free.
With 379 million speakers globally, English is among the most spoken languages worldwide. However, it can get difficult to prove your proficiency in the language if you are not from an English-speaking country. IELTS is one of the standardized tests - accepted globally - that can assess your proficiency in the English language.
The process of preparing and appearing for the IELTS can be quite expensive and time-consuming. With the complimentary IELTS Training services offered by Kansas Overseas - as part of our comprehensive and complete immigration services - you can achieve the best IELTS score.
A majority of countries nowadays follow a standardized process to assess the applications for immigration. Language proficiency test is one such major criteria for evaluating the applications. IELTS is a widely accepted test that many countries rely on. Read on to know everything about the IELTS exam and how to prepare for it.
IELTS is short for the International English Language Testing System. Developed to provide an accurate assessment of an individual’s English language proficiency, IELTS is unbiased and fair to all, irrespective of their background.
IELTS test questions are developed by language specialists from - the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The test content of IELTS reflects the English language generally spoken in everyday life situations. There are four sections in IELTS - Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
As one of the standardized tests of the English language, IELTS is specifically designed to help you migrate to, or work or study in a country that has English as the native language. Such countries include, among others - Canada, the US, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
A high level of English language ability will have to be established for you to be able to work, live, or study in an English-speaking country. The ability to effectively communicate in the native language of a country can open up a wide range of benefits for you. Better integration into the society as well as enhanced job opportunities are part of the advantages.
IELTS is the most commonly opted-for language test by those planning to migrate to Australia, migrate to Canada, migrate to the UK, or migrate to New Zealand. 11,000+ employers, immigration bodies, and universities across the world accept IELTS scores. 3,400 institutions in the US also accept IELTS as proof of an individual’s English language ability.
IELTS is scored by grading on a scale. The IELTS band score can be anywhere between Band 1 to Band 9. IELTS assesses your ability to listen, read, write as well as speak in English. Each of the bands reflects a test taker’s overall ability in the English language.
All of the four abilities assessed in IELTS - Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking - are allotted their individual band scores.
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IELTS - The Proficiency Level behind the Bands |
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Overall Band Score |
Skill Level |
Description |
|
Band 9 |
Expert |
|
|
Band 8 |
Very good |
|
|
Band 7 |
Good |
|
|
Band 6 |
Competent |
|
|
Band 5 |
Modest |
|
|
Band 4 |
Limited |
|
|
Band 3 |
Extremely limited |
|
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Band 2 |
Intermittent |
Has great difficulty in understanding |
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Band 1 |
Non-user |
Unable to use the language, except for a few isolated words |
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Band 0 |
Did not attempt |
Did not answer the questions |
The IELTS score that you should aim for will be as per your reason for appearing for the test. Each of the immigration bodies, universities, institutions or workplaces have their own IELTS score requirements. The higher that you score in IELTS, the more possibilities and options open up before you in terms of migrating overseas, studying abroad, and working overseas.
For example, Canada immigration usually requires an overall IELTS Band 7. The University of Oxford has an IELTS requirement of Band 6.5 and Band 7.0 for graduate admissions and undergraduate admissions respectively.
There are two IELTS test types - IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. While both test types for IELTS assess your English language skills in all the four language abilities, the IELTS test that you must appear for will be as per your reason for taking the IELTS.
The difference between IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic is in the Reading and Writing tests. All that appear for the IELTS take the same IELTS Listening and IELTS Speaking tests. It is the IELTS Reading and IELTS Writing tests that differ between the two test types available.
The three sections - Listening, Reading, and Writing are completed the same day. The Speaking module can be done up to a week either before or after the other IELTS tests. The total IELTS duration comes up to 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Always ensure that you appear for the correct IELTS test, as per your individual requirements for undergoing English language testing.
[Recommended for immigration or working overseas]
Features English language skills that you might need in everyday encounters in social settings or workplace encounters.
IELTS General Training will be required for -
This test type can also be taken for employment training or work experience.
IELTS General Training - Test Format
*These modules are different between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
[For study abroad]
As the name suggests, IELTS Academic features vocabulary that can be expected within an academic setting. IELTS Academic measures whether or not you can begin to study abroad in the English language and is suited for international students intending to study for their higher education abroad or in an English-speaking environment.
IELTS Academic might also be taken for the purposes of professional registration.
IELTS Academic - Test Format
*These modules are different between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
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Which IELTS is right for me? |
IELTS General Training
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IELTS Academic
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IELTS is jointly owned by - the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English. IDP or International Development Program is a global educational institution. The British Council is a UK-based organization that specializes in educational opportunities and international culture. While these two institutions jointly manage the test, IELTS is designed by Cambridge University.
Both the organizations conduct the same test on the same date to maintain uniformity. There is no difference in the marking system as well.
Countries that will accept your immigration application with IELTS include -
The score of the IELTS exam is a valid indicator of language proficiency for many countries all around the globe. IELTS scores are accepted for various visa categories.
The IELTS requirement varies, based on the immigration program applying under. For example, a skilled worker applying for Canada immigration through Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) will require a Canadian Language Benchmark Level 7. Now, a CLB Level 7 equivalent in IELTS is - Listening 6.0 -7.0, and a Band 6 each in Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
Australia’s Global Talent visa (subclass 858), on the other hand, has a requirement of “functional English” that comes to at least an average of IELTS Band 4.5 in all the four test components. The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) - Points-tested stream has a language requirement of “competent English” that comes to at least IELTS Band 6 in each of the four abilities.
To determine the candidate’s language proficiency, the candidate gets points in each of the four sections or modules of IELTS. All the scores of the IELTS exam are converted into bands between 0 and 9. A candidate can get a 0.5 band score as well. While a candidate scoring band 9 in any module proves that they are expert at the language, the bands decrease with reduced proficiency.
Here is how the examiners give bands for different modules:
Academics:
|
Raw score out of 40 |
Band Scores |
|
15 |
5 |
|
23 |
6 |
|
30 |
7 |
|
35 |
8 |
General Training:
|
Raw score out of 40 |
Band Scores |
|
15 |
4 |
|
23 |
5 |
|
30 |
6 |
|
34 |
7 |
|
38 |
8 |
|
Raw score out of 40 |
Band Scores |
|
16 |
5 |
|
23 |
6 |
|
30 |
7 |
|
35 |
8 |
Examiners use assessment criteria to award a band score for each of the four criteria:
The criteria are weighted equally and the score on the task is the average.
Examiners use assessment criteria to award a band score for each of the four criteria:
The criteria are weighted equally and the Speaking band score is the average.
Since each candidate has different English language abilities, their preparation can differ. Candidates often seek training from professionals to help them prepare for the exam.
Besides being a trusted name in immigration, Kansas Overseas Careers can offer you assistance with IELTS preparation as well. We have skilled and professional trainers and counselors to help the candidates appear for the exam and get the desired band score.
We offer free training to the candidates applying for an immigration visa with us. Our experts prepare the candidates in all the four modules, discussing their doubts and helping them get better in areas where they might be lacking.
Kansas Overseas Careers specializes in Permanent Residency Visas, Work Visas, Study Visas, Temporary visas, and Dependent Visas to Canada, UK, USA, Germany, and Hong Kong.
Apart from these services, Kansas offers its clients personalized services such as:
Additional services, offered to job-seekers:
Additional services, for students looking for a study visa:
IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System.
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University |
Minimum IELTS Requirement |
Minimum IELTS Requirement |
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
7.0 |
7.0 |
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Califorina Institute of Technology |
7.0 |
7.0 |
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Harvard Institute |
7.0 |
7.0 |
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Yale Institute |
7.0 |
7.0 |
You can apply for Enquiry on Results (EOR). You can choose the sections that you want remarked and later apply for a re-marking. The fee for the EOR is INR 8,000 which will be refunded if your scores change as a result of the re-marking.
There are many reasons why someone might choose to appear for the IELTS.
As per the official statistics, top reasons for appearing for the IELTS include -
The basic stepwise process to appear for the IELTS -
STEP 1: Find an IELTS test location near you
There are 1,600+ IELTS test centers in more than 140 countries worldwide.
STEP 2: Register for the IELTS test
There are two ways to register - (1) register and pay IELTS fee online, or (2) download IELTS application form, print, complete and submit to an IELTS test center. A copy of your valid identity document will be required. This is the same identity document that you will carry with yourself on IELTS test day.
STEP 3: Appear for IELTS
The scheduled date and time will be sent to you by your test center in a written confirmation from their end. Three modules - Listening, Reading, and Writing will be completed the same day. The Speaking test can be done up to a week (before or after) the other tests.
Yes, you can add your IELTS score on LinkedIn. Click on the relevant “Add to Profile” button - for Academic or General Training - to your LinkedIn profile.
There are many benefits of adding your IELTS Overall Band Score to your LinkedIn profile.
These include -
An organization, provided it is recognized, can verify your test results through the IELTS Online Verification Service through an IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) number.
Within the next three to 13 days from appearing for the test.
Those taking the computer-based IELTS can get their test results in three to five days after the test. Test Report Form for anyone appearing for the IELTS on paper test will be available in 13 days. IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration test results can be viewed 13 days from the test.
Your IELTS test results will be made available to view online for 28 days. However, this should not be used as an official confirmation of your IELTS performance.
Generally, a copy of the IELTS Test Report Form will be sent to you. Two copies of the Test Report Form are issued if applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Arrangements can be made for the test center to post the test results to you. Alternatively, you can pick up the IELTS Test Report Form yourself in person.
On booking IELTS, you can request to send your IELTS results to up to five organizations free of charge.
IELTS is not mandatory for Canadian Express Entry. IELTS is one of the standardized language tests accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). While IELTS is the most commonly appeared for English language tests for Canadian immigration, you have the option of appearing for CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program instead.
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