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About the Test
WHICH MODULE?
There are two versions of the IELTS test: Academic
and General Training. All Candidates take the same listening and speaking tests,
but the reading and
writing modules are different for Academic and General Training, so it is
important to take the correct version of the test. Please note that it is the
candidate’s responsibility to select the module that best meets their needs.
Destination: USA, Canada, Australia, and Great Britain.
FOUR TEST SECTIONS
IELTS tests the complete range of English language skills commonly
encountered by students when studying or training in the medium of English.
All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules. There is an
option of either Academic or General Training Reading and Writing Modules.
Academic is suitable for candidates planning to undertake higher education
study. General Training is suitable for candidates planning to undertake non-
academic training or work experience, or for immigration purposes.
TIME INVOLVED
The amount of time a person spends actually taking the test is approximately
3 hours there are no bathroom breaks in the morning session of the exam.
Plan to
spend the entire day at the test center your speaking will be scheduled the
afternoon of the exam between 12:15 - 5:00 PM.
Appointments are arranged in order of your test registration date, so the later a
person signs up for a testing date, the later in the day the speaking
appointment
will be scheduled.
**SPEAKING TIMES ARE ASSIGNED IN ORDER OF REGISTRATION FOR EACH MONTHLY EXAM AND WILL BE POSTED THE MORNING OF THE EXAM. WE CANNOT ACCOMMODATE REQUESTS. NUMBER OF EXAMINERS AVAILABLE VARIES PER EXAM. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE LATE NIGHT RETURN FLIGHTS TO YOUR RETURN DESTINATION OR THE FOLLOWING DAY.**
**NO ONSITE REGISTRATION IS ALLOWED. REGISTRATION WILL BE CONFIRMED VIA WORD ATTACHMENTS (TEST ADMISSION TICKET) THROUGH THE EMAIL LISTED ON THE APPLICATION FORM THE DAY IT IS RECEIVED IN THE MAIL. PLEASE BRING THE TICKET WITH YOU AS IT ALSO INCLUDES THE LOCATION OF THE TEST WHICH INCLUDES A LINK TO OUR SMU CAMPUS MAP.**
PLEASE REFER TO ADMISSION TICKET AS TEST VENUES CHANGE PERIODICALLY
SCORING
- There is no pass or fail mark.
- 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.
- Band Scores are reported in whole and half bands
- Results are recommended as valid for two years.
What are “bands”?
Each band corresponds to a descriptive statement giving
a summary of the English of a candidate classified at that level. 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.
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. Misunderstanding 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.
What score do I need?
The band score required varies widely, depending on the country concerned and
The reason for taking IELTS. Candidates should always check with the
organization requiring the IELTS score to verify this information.
How soon can I get the results?
Results are released on the 13th day following each test date. Test
results are not released over the phone or via email attachments. You will
be mailed a copy of your Test Results Form (TRF)
