IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. IELTS is a language proficiency assessment for non-native English language speakers. Usually, an IELTS is required for employment, residency, or education in English-speaking countries. If you are thinking of going abroad for any of the above three purposes, you should check language proficiency requirements, and if you need to sit an IELTS exam.
TYPES OF IELTS TESTS
There are two main types of IELTS tests,
- IELTS Academic Test: It will analyze your ability to study and synthesize complex ideas in the English language. It is usually required by educational institutions.
- IELTS General Training Test: This test checks your ability to speak, write, and understand English in your daily life and workplace. This test analyzes your proficiency at the English language in the social environment. You need to take this test if you wish to emigrate, work, or study other than a degree in an English-speaking country.
Another, type of the IELTS is,
- IELTS for UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI): The UKVI tests are specifically designed for Visa and Immigration to any country in the United Kingdom. These tests follow the same pattern used for general training and academic tests. They differ in their test reports. The UKVI report will confirm that you have taken the test at a center approved by the UK home office.
IELTS TEST: 4 SECTIONS
The IELTS test is divided into four sections. These 4 sections are,
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
The listening, reading, and writing sections are completed on the same day. The duration for these three sections is 2 hours and 45 minutes altogether. These three tests are taken back-to-back without any breaks. The speaking test is then conducted face to face with an IELTS certified examiner. It lasts between 11 to 14 minutes, and you discuss various topics with the examiner.
PREPARING FOR IELTS
In order to prepare for IELTS you need to understand its format properly. Here, we will explain each of the four sections.
IELTS Listening Test and Tips to Practice
The listening test is divided into four parts. In each part, you listen to an audio and then answer 10 questions based on that audio. In total, you listen to 4 audios and respond to 40 questions. Remember! You can only listen to an audio once, so make sure you are carefully listening and understanding the recordings.
The audio could include everyday conversations, monologues, etc. Through the listening tests, examiners are testing your understanding of ideas, attention to verbal detail, and speaker’s opinions.
Tips
- Develop a habit of listening to different English accents
- Practise note-taking while listening
- Watch and listen to more of English shows, news, and podcasts
IELTS Writing Test and Tips to Practice
The IELTS writing test is slightly different for IELTS academic and general training.
For IELTS academics you are given a table or a diagram. You then describe what you understand from the visual representations. You need to write about 150 words in 20 minutes. In the second task, you are given a topic, about which you need to write 250 words in 40 minutes.
For IELTS general training, the first task is different. Instead of describing visuals, you respond to different scenarios through your writing e.g. writing a letter.
The writing section tests your written abilities. It also analyzes how you structure your ideas and articulate your thoughts.
Tips
- Practise writing in a given time period
- Focus in your grammar and sentence structure
- Read and write essays on a variety of topics
- Understand the different types of essays and writing styles
IELTS Reading Test and Tips to Practice
The reading section of IELTS academic and general training are also different. For the academic test, there are three sections of passages. These are taken from books, magazines, or journals.
For the general training reading test, these passages are taken from advertisements or workplace related documents. The first section has a few short passages, the second section has comparatively longer texts, while the third section contains a detailed passage.
The reading section analyzes your ability to skim through data, understand ideas, and scan text.
Tips
- Read a wide variety of texts from journals, magazines, and articles
- Understand the questioning based on ideas from the passages
IELTS Speaking Test and Tips to Practice
The speaking test for both types of IELTS is the same. Depending upon your exam center, your speaking test can be on the same date, or a few days before or after you take the other three portions of the test.
The speaking section is about 11 to 14 minutes long. At first, you will be introducing yourself. Then you will be given a topic to speak on for 2 minutes. After that you will be having discussions around that topic with your examiner.
The speaking test is designed to test your fluency, pronunciation, and coherence of ideas.
Tips
- Speak on topics of daily life. It can be anything about your work, study, routine, or hobbies
- Check if you are pronouncing everything fine
- Record yourself and improve your fluency and coherence based on these recordings
IELTS BAND SCORE
What does the IELTS band score mean?
The IELTS scores are between bands of 0 to 9. Here 9 is the maximum number of bands that you can score. There is no passing or failing scores for IELTS. However, different band requirements may be there for various purposes. For example, some universities require a high band score of at least 7 in IELTS. You must understand the IELTS scoring patterns and your minimum band requirements while you take the test.
How to Assess Language Competency According to the Band Scores?
Each band score reflects a different level of competency and understanding of the English language.
How are Band Scores for IELTS Calculated?
Your band score depends upon the number of correct answers you give in each of the sections. The band scores for each section are first individually calculated, and your overall score is the average of these bands.
The criteria for Band scoring are similar for the reading and listening sections. However, your writing and speaking band scores are assessed by trained examiners who judge you on the scale of your competency.
BAND SCORES FOR IELTS LISTENING
The scores for IELTS listening are the same for both IELTS academic and general training sections. Every question carries 1 mark, and bands are assigned on the bases of the number of marks obtained.
|
Score Range |
Bands |
|
39-40 |
9 |
|
37-38 |
8.5 |
|
35-36 |
8 |
|
32-34 |
7.5 |
|
30-31 |
7 |
|
26-29 |
6.5 |
|
23-25 |
6 |
|
18-22 |
5.5 |
|
16-17 |
5 |
|
13-16 |
4.5 |
|
11-12 |
4 |
BAND SCORES FOR IELTS READING
The criteria for Band scores of IELTS reading is slightly different for IELTS Academic and General training.
Band Scoring for IELTS ACADEMIC Reading Section
|
Score Range |
Bands |
|
39-40 |
9 |
|
37-38 |
8.5 |
|
35-36 |
8 |
|
33-34 |
7.5 |
|
30-32 |
7 |
|
27-29 |
6.5 |
|
23-26 |
6 |
|
19-22 |
5.5 |
|
15-18 |
5 |
|
13-14 |
4.5 |
|
10-12 |
4 |
|
8-9 |
3.5 |
|
6-7 |
3 |
|
4-5 |
2.5 |
Band Scoring for IELTS GENERAL TRAINING Reading Section
|
Score Range |
Bands |
|
40 |
9 |
|
39 |
8.5 |
|
37-38 |
8 |
|
36 |
7.5 |
|
34-35 |
7 |
|
32-33 |
6.5 |
|
30-31 |
6 |
|
27-29 |
5.5 |
|
23-26 |
5 |
|
19-22 |
4.5 |
|
15-18 |
4 |
|
12-14 |
3.5 |
|
9-11 |
3 |
|
6-8 |
2.5 |
Online and On-Site Test
IELTS ON-SITE: There are two ways to take the IELTS in test centers. You can either solve the assessment on paper or on computer. Since 2017, IELTS on computer has been a common choice.
IELTS ONLINE: IELTS online gives you the opportunity to solve the test from the comfort of your home or another private space to your liking. Instead of going to a test center, this option gives you the flexibility of space and time for the test.
Is there a difference between on-site and online IELTS?
The IELTS has the same format, for all kinds of online or onsite tests. The reading, writing, and listening sections have the same scoring and duration. For online interview you need to make a video call with your examiner.
The difference is the convenience of taking the tests. You have to ensure you are present at a specific time at a test center for the onsite test. While you can take the online test from your home at your convenience.
The online test can be a good option if you have the right kind of hardware and software installed on your computer, and you are comfortable with online testing. It is better to take an online IELTS mock test. Such tests are available for both academic and general training IELTS.
Best Time to Prepare for IELTS
The kind of preparation you need for an IELTS depends upon the level of fluency you currently have in the English language.
- You need to start preparing at least 8 months to 1 year in advance if you are a beginner in English language
- If you have medium-level competencies in English, which means you are more familiar with the language and can write and understand it with comparative ease, you should practice 3 to 6 months in advance. You should focus more on tailoring your practice with the IELTS format.
- If you are a more confident speaker of the English language, and you can also write and articulate your thoughts coherently, you may just need between 4 to 8 weeks for preparing IELTS. You may focus on practice tests, and weaker areas in this short time.
However, you should know that your overall score will depend upon all the four sections, and you need to ensure that you are equally well prepared for all of them.
IELTS Test Centers in Pakistan
In Pakistan, there are seventeen locations where you can take the on-paper IELTS test. These cities are,
- Islamabad
- Hyderabad
- Gujrat
- Peshawar
- Karachi
- Quetta
- Lahore
- Multan
- Bahawalpur
- Mirpur
- Faisalabad
- Sargodha
- Jhelum
- Sukker
- Sahiwal
- Gujranwala
- Mandi Bahauddin
- Sialkot
In 7 cities, IELTS on the computer is also available,
- Lahore
- Islamabad
- Karachi
- Peshawar
- Faisalabad
- Multan
- Sukkur
IELTS Test Dates 2024
The IELTS test is taken on numerous dates, every month. In order to book an IELTS test you go the British Council website, and there you can choose the type of test you want to go, your preferred test center, as well as dates. You have to book separately for your speaking test slots. For more information on booking and test dates go to https://www.britishcouncil.pk/exam/ielts/dates-locations.
Please note that test centers for on computer and on paper IELTS may variate. So you need to carefully decide on which specific type of test you want to give, and book accordingly.
IELTS FEE IN PAKISTAN
In Pakistan, you can pay the IELTS fee in PKR. However, the amount you pay can fluctuate on the basis of dollar rates internationally.
- IELTS (Academic and General Training) on computer test fee: 60900 PKR
- IELTS (Academic and General Training) on paper test fee: 67700 PKR
- IELTS for UKVI (Academic and General Training) on computer fee: 55350 PKR
- IELTS FOR UKVI (Academic and General Training) on paper fee: 588850 PKR
Note: Please make sure that you confirm the fee from the official IELTS website as well. Because, the fee structures aree subject to minor changes from time to time.
How to Take an IELTS Online Exam in Pakistan?
The IELTS online system ensures the use of different human and AI checking systems for proctoring and transparency. You can book for an online IELTS using from the official IELTS website. You need the following operations to take IELTS online,
- Inspera Exam Portal Software on your computer
- A separate space
- A good internet connection
- A computer that satisfies the software and hardware requirements
Various instructional videos for IELTS online can be found here.
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