It is not necessary to attend an IELTS preparation course though it is, of course, a good idea to prepare thoroughly for the test.
An order form is given at the end of this Handbook for an Official IELTS Practice Materials pack. This includes a full practice test with an answer key and a CD of the Listening test and sample Speaking tests, so that candidates can get some idea of their level and familiarize themselves with the format of the test.
There is also a wide range of published preparation materials.(Examda.com)
Each candidate takes four tests, one in each of the four skills – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
Listening
Duration and format
The Listening test takes around 30 minutes. There are 40 questions and four sections. The Listening test is recorded on a CD and is played ONCE only.
During the test, time is given for candidates to read the questions and write down and then check their answers. Answers are written on the question paper as candidates listen. When the recording ends, ten minutes are allowed for candidates to transfer their answers to an answer sheet.
Task types
The first two sections are concerned with social needs. There is a conversation between two speakers and then a monologue. For example – a conversation about travel arrangements or decisions on a night out, and a speech about student services on a university campus or arrangements for meals during a conference.
The final two sections are concerned with situations related more closely to educational or training contexts. There is a conversation between up to four people and then a further monologue. For example – a conversation between a tutor and a student about an assignment or between three students planning a research project, and a lecture or talk of general academic interest.
A range of native-speaker English accents are used in the recordings which reflect the international usage of IELTS.
A variety of questions are used, chosen from the following types:
• Multiple choiceshttp://ks.examda.com
• Short-answer questions
• Sentence completion
• Note/summary/flow
• chart/table completion
• labeling a diagram
• Classification
• Matching
Marking and assessment
One mark is awarded for each correct answer in the 40-item test.
A confidential Band Score conversion table is produced for each version of the Listening test, which translates scores out of 40 into the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands. Care should be taken when writing answers on the answer sheet as poor spelling and grammar are penalized.
Reading
Duration and format
The Reading test takes 60 minutes. There are 40 questions, based on three reading passages with a total of 2,000 to 2,750 words.
Texts and questions appear on a question paper which candidates can write on but not remove from the examination room.
All answers must be entered on an answer sheet during the 60-minute test. No extra time is allowed for transferring answers.
Task types
A variety of questions are used, chosen from the following types:
• Multiple choice
• Short-answer questions
• Sentence completion
• Note/summary/flow
• chart/table completion
• Labeling a diagram
• Matching headings for identified paragraphs/ sections of the text
• Identification of writer’s views/claims – yes, no or not given
• Identification of information in the text – true, false or not given
• Classification
• Matching lists/phrases
Academic Reading
Texts are taken from magazines, journals, books, and newspapers. Texts have been written for a non-specialist audience. All the topics are of general interest. They deal with issues which are interesting, recognizably appropriate and accessible to candidates entering undergraduate or postgraduate courses or seeking professional registration.
At least one text contains detailed logical argument. Texts may contain non-verbal materials such as diagrams, graphs or illustrations. If texts contain technical terms then a simple glossary is provided.
General Training Reading
Texts are taken from notices, advertisements, official documents, booklets, newspapers, instruction manuals, leaflets, timetables, books and magazines.
The first section, ‘social survival’, contains texts relevant to basic linguistic survival in English with tasks mainly about retrieving and providing general factual information.
‘Training survival’, the second section, focuses on the training context, for example on the training program itself or on welfare needs. This section involves a text or texts of more complex language with some precise or elaborated expression.
The third section, ‘general reading’, involves reading more extended prose with a more complex structure but with the emphasis on descriptive and instructive rather than argumentative texts, in a general context relevant to the wide range of candidates involved.
Marking and assessment
One mark is awarded for each correct answer in the 40-item test. A Band Score conversion table is produced for each version of the Reading test which translates scores out of 40 into the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole band and half bands. Care should be taken when writing answers on the answer sheet as poor spelling and grammar are penalized.
Writing
Duration and format
The Writing test takes 60 minutes. There are two tasks to complete. It is suggested that about 20 minutes is spent on Task 1 which requires candidates to write at least 150 words. Task 2 requires at least 250 words and should take about 40 minutes.
Candidates may write on the question paper but this cannot be taken from the examination room and will not be seen by the examiner.
Answers must be given on the answer sheet and must be written
in full. Notes or bullet points in whole or in part are not acceptable as answers.
Task types
Academic Writing
In Task 1 candidates are asked to describe some information (graph/table/chart/diagram), and to present the description in their own words. Depending on the type of input and the task suggested, candidates are assessed on their ability to:
• organize, present and possibly compare data
• describe the stages of a process or procedure
• describe an object or event or sequence of events
• explain how something works
In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view or argument or problem. Candidates are assessed on their ability to:
• present the solution to a problem
• present and justify an opinion
• compare and contrast evidence, opinions and implications
• evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument
The issues raised are of general interest to, suitable for and easily understood by candidates entering undergraduate or postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration
