This is a question which boggles everyone’s mind-
- IELTS General is the only English language test where the Speaking test is one-on-one with an examiner in a private room without any distractions.
- You will be able to find test centres for IELTS with locations across the globe.
- Ielts General is easier as it does not have intricate content and vocabulary used in the Questions unlike other English Proficiency Tests.
- Ielts General module is widely accepted.
Any candidate who is willing to work and immigrate to an English-speaking country, and for those wishing to train or study at below degree level has to write Ielts General. The test focuses on basic survival skills in broad social and workplace contexts.
Modules of the IELTS General Test in details
Listening
The module comprises four sections, with ten questions in each section. The total time allotted for this section is 40 minutes: 30 mins for listening to the audios and 10mins for transferring the answers to an answer sheet.
Sections 1 has a conversation between two speakers (for example, a conversation about travel arrangements).
Section 2 is a monologue which has one person speaking about everyday social situations (for example, a speech about local facilities).
Section 3 is a conversation between upto four speakers (for example, a discussion between two university students, perhaps guided by a tutor).
Section 4 is a monologue has one person speaking about an academic subject (mainly a university lecture).
Each section begins with a short introduction telling the test taker about the situation and the speakers. Then they have some time to look through the questions. All recordings will be played only once . At the end of the test students are given 10 minutes to transfer their answers to an answer sheet. Test takers will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar.
Reading
The Reading test of IELTS is different in Academic and General Training. It has three sections. There will be a variety of question types, such as multiple choice, short-answer questions, identifying information, identifying writer’s views, labeling diagrams, completing a summary using words taken from the text and matching information/headings/features in the text/sentence endings. Test takers should be careful when writing down their answers as they will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar.
Texts in IELTS General Training
Section 1 contains two or three short texts which deal with everyday topics. For example, timetables or notices – things a person would need to understand when living in an English-speaking country.
Section 2 contains two texts, which deal with work. For example, job descriptions, contracts, training materials.
Section 3 contains one long text about a topic of general interest. The text is generally descriptive, longer and more complex than the texts in Sections 1 and 2. The text will be taken from a newspaper, magazine, book or online resource.
IELTS reading has a total of 40 questions that are to be answered.
Writing
As in the Reading test, the writing test of IELTS is also different in Academic and General Training. The Writing paper has two tasks which must both be completed. In task 1 test takers write at least 150 words in about 20 minutes. In task 2 test takers write at least 250 words in about 40 minutes. Test takers will be penalized if their answer is too short or does not relate to the topic.
IELTS General Training
Task 1: test takers write a letter in response to a given everyday situation. For example, writing to an accommodation officer about problems with your accommodation, writing to a new employer about problems managing your time, writing to a local newspaper about a plan to develop a local airport. There are 3 types of letters: Formal, Semi-formal, Informal letters.
Task 2: In this task, test takers need to write an essay about a topic of general interests. For example, whether smoking should be banned in public places, whether children’s leisure activities should be educational, how environmental problems can be solved. Other topics such as discussing a point of view, argument or problem may also be asked. Depending on the task, test takers may be required to present a solution to a problem, present and justify an opinion, compare and contrast evidence, opinions and implications, and evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument.
Speaking
The speaking test is a face-to-face interview between the test taker and an examiner. It has three sections.
Section 1: introduction and interview (4–5 minutes).
Test takers may be asked about their home, family, work, studies, hobbies, interests, reasons for taking IELTS exam as well as other general topics such as clothing, free time, computers and the internet.
Section 2: long turn (3–4 minutes).
Test takers are given a task card about a particular topic. Test takers have one minute to prepare to talk about this topic. The task card states the points that should be included in the talk and one aspect of the topic which must be explained during the talk. Test takers are then expected to talk about the topic for 2 minutes, after which the examiner may ask one or two questions called rounding-off questions.
Section 3: discussions (4–5 minutes).
The third section involves a discussion between the examiner and the test taker, generally on questions relating to the theme which they have already spoken about in Section 2.
| IELTS General | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2hr 55 min |
| Test Type | Paper Based |
| Score Range | 1.0 – 9.0 |
| Score Validity | 2 Years |
| Sections (in order as appears on actual test) |
|
| Evaluation | All sections are evaluated by human raters. |
| Listening Section | Students have to answer questions based on topics which relate to academics and social issues. |
| Speaking Section | Face to face interview by human rater on familiar topics. |
| Reading Section | 3 Sections, 40 questions |
| Writing Section | 1 letter writing and 1 Essay |
This table can be used to convert raw scores (out of 40) to band scores (out of 9). This helps test takers understand how many correct answers they need to achieve a particular band score.
| Band Score | 9.0 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band Score Listening raw score | 39–40 | 37–38 | 35–36 | 32–34 | 30–31 | 26–29 | 23–25 | 18–22 | 16–17 | 13–15 | 10–12 | 8–9 | 6–7 | 4–5 |
| Reading raw score (General Training) | 40 | 39 | 37–38 | 36 | 34–35 | 32–33 | 30–31 | 27–29 | 23–26 | 19–22 | 15–18 | 12–14 | 9–11 | 6–8 |
Band scale
IELTS is scored on a nine-band scale, with each band corresponding to a specified competence in English. Overall Band Scores are reported to the nearest half band. The nine bands are described as follows:
| Expert User | Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding. |
| 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. |
| Good User | Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriateness and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Limited User | Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language. |
| Extremely Limited User | Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur. |
| 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. |
| Non User | Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words. |
| Did not attempt the test | No assessable information provided at all. |
Step1 – Find your nearest IELTS test location. There are more than 1100 test centers over 140 countries. Login to www.ielts.org to do this.
Step – 2 Register and pay the registration fee of Rs. 16,250/- online or download an application form to print, complete and submit to your local test center. A valid passport is mandatory as an identity. The test taker has to present the same identity document on the day of the test.
Note:IELTS Test Registration Fee has been revised to INR 16,250 for all test dates effective 7th January 2023 onwards.
Step – 3 The test center will provide a confirmation of the date and time of the test. The Speaking test time will be scheduled on a different day, within a 7-day window, before or after the written tests. The test center will confirm the Speaking test time.
NOTE: If the candidate is below the age of 18 years at the time of registration or on the test day, a duly filled consent form must be produced at the time of appearing for the examination.
Things To Remember On Test Day
- Allow plenty of time to travel to the test venue to ensure you arrive on time. If you arrive late, you will not be allowed to take the test. Bring your valid passport with you. Also, bring the pens, pencils and erasers which you need for the test. Focus on your test and try to do your best. Listen carefully to the test supervisor’s instructions.
- Your personal belongings like mobile phones, bags and watches will be kept outside the test room. The only exception to this is to carry a transparent water bottle. The Listening, Reading and writing test takes 2hours 40 minutes, so make sure you eat and drink beforehand.
- When you get the test papers, read the instructions carefully before you start with the test. As watched are not allowed inside the room, you are required to budget your own time. Every test room will have a clock on the wall.
Declaration of Results
Results will be available 13 days after the test. At some test centers test takers can collect their results on the 13th day. At others, results are mailed to test takers on the 13th day. Test centers are not permitted to give results out over the phone or by scan or email. A preview of the results will be available online 13 days after the test. Results will remain online for 28 days. Please note that the online preview of the results should not be used as an official confirmation of performance.
IELTS can arrange for additional original copies (up to a maximum of five) to be posted to receiving institutions (e.g. universities, immigration officers, etc.). If you want them to do this, please include the relevant details during registration for IELTS either with IDP or British council.