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Heard of IELTS but not sure what it is?
In this video I’m going to show you how
this English test could transform your
life and take you wherever you want to go!
Hello and welcome! My name is Emma, and in
this British Council IELTS preparation video,
I’m going to tell you everything you
need to know about the IELTS test.
What it is, how it works and
why you might want to take it.
Let’s start at the beginning:
What is the IELTS test?
IELTS stands for: International
English Language Testing System
It’s an English language proficiency
test developed and run by the British
Council in partnership with IDP
Education and Cambridge English.
Since 1989, IELTS has been widely
regarded as one of the world’s most
popular English language proficiency tests
for higher education and global migration.
Who is IELTS for?
IELTS is for anyone looking to live, work
or study in an English-speaking country.
Governments in Australia, Canada, New Zealand
and the United Kingdom all trust IELTS when
processing immigration applications. IELTS is
also recognised by the educational institutions,
employers and professional bodies that need
to verify your English language proficiency.
Alright, let’s take a look at the
different types of IELTS tests.
There are three available to you:
IELTS General Training is designed
for anyone wanting to work, train,
study below degree level, or migrate
to an English-speaking country. IELTS
Academic is for those who want to study
at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
Then there are the IELTS for UKVI Academic and
General Training, and IELTS Life Skills tests,
which are approved Secure English Language Tests
(or SELT) by the UK Home Office
for visa applications to the UK.
You should always check entry
requirements for your target country,
institution or association
before choosing your test.
There are three different ways you can take your
IELTS test: on paper, on computer and online.
Both the IELTS on paper and IELTS on computer
tests are conducted in test centres around the
world. You can choose the option you prefer,
subject to availability in your local area.
In the IELTS on paper test, your answers
will be handwritten for the Listening,
Reading and Writing sections. In the IELTS
on computer test, you’ll type your answers to
these sections using a computer. In both tests,
the Speaking section will be done face-to-face
with a trained IELTS Examiner. The key thing
to know is that the test content and structure
are exactly the same for both tests. The only
difference is that you can decide whether to
type your answers or write them down on paper.
You decide the format that works best for you.
If you choose the IELTS on computer test,
you’ll be eligible for the IELTS One Skill
Retake. This gives you the option to retake
one section of the test (Listening, Reading,
Writing or Speaking) if you need to improve
your score in one area, instead of retaking
all four sections. It has been designed to help
you feel confident going into your test. We all
have off-days and times when we don’t show our
full potential, so IELTS One Skill Retake is there
to help get you back on track. You must sit the
One Skill Retake within 60 days of your original
test. It’s widely available, and you can choose
to take it at any test centre where it is offered.
You can also choose to do your IELTS test online.
This gives you the flexibility to take your test
wherever and whenever you want. It has the same
content and features as IELTS on paper and IELTS
on computer, but it’s completed remotely. The
Listening, Reading and Writing sections are
taken the same way as IELTS on computer. Your
Speaking test is then taken via an online video
call with a human Examiner. All tests are marked
by trained IELTS Examiners and you’ll receive your
results in 6–8 days. If you are thinking about
taking IELTS Online, make sure the institution
you’d like to apply to is happy to accept results
from IELTS Academic tests that are done remotely.
Why are you taking IELTS? For example,
are you planning to study abroad? Let us
know in the comments below.
As I’ve already mentioned,
there are four sections in the IELTS test:
Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. If
you’d like a complete guide to the IELTS test
format, check out this video here with Claire.
So, why do millions of people
choose IELTS every year?
Well, IELTS has been setting the standard
for English-language testing for more
than 30 years. It’s trusted by more than
12,000 organisations in over 140 countries.
It’s designed to showcase your true
ability to communicate in English through
tasks and scenarios that are reflective of
everyday life in an English-speaking country.
What’s great is that you’re able to choose
the test format you’re most comfortable with,
whether that’s on paper or on computer, and
hopefully that will help you achieve the score
you are aiming for. Unlike other providers
who rely on AI technology as standard,
there is the opportunity in your Speaking
test to speak face-to-face with an Examiner
so you can have a natural conversation as
if you are having coffee with a friend.
It’s important to say at this stage that
the IELTS test is accepting of all English
accents and is actively seeking to avoid cultural
bias. What truly matters is that you communicate
clearly and use precise vocabulary.
Every test is assessed by qualified
Examiners who undergo rigorous training and
continuous monitoring. To maintain objectivity,
three different Examiners are always involved
in rating your Writing and Speaking tests,
so if your Writing Task 1 is assessed by a
particular Examiner, then that individual cannot
mark your Writing Task 2 or conduct your Speaking
test. There are also cases where if one of the
examiner-rated sections (Writing or Speaking) has
been awarded a score that is markedly different
to the scores in the Listening and Reading,
these sections are automatically re-marked.
The IELTS system offers you a transparent
testing process that is fully explained,
so you know exactly what to expect and
there are no scary surprises on test day!
OK, I think it’s time we looked at a few brilliant
resources to help you prepare for your IELTS test!
The British Council has a series of videos
designed to help you get ready for test day.
From all-you-need-to-know guides on each of
the four sections, to tips and tricks to help
you ace your test, we’ve got you covered.
Pick the ones you are most interested in
and let us know if there’s a particular topic
you’d like us to cover in the comments below.
We also have IELTS Ready, which provides you
with free access to essential resources such
as sample questions, model answers and
vocabulary exercises. It’s perfect if
you aren’t quite ready to book your test
yet. It will help you to start preparing
and familiarise yourself more closely with the
test format and task types. Did I mention that
it’s totally free? You can join today
using the link in the description below.
If you are ready to go and have booked
your test with the British Council,
you’ll get free access to our IELTS Ready
Premium platform. You’ll have access to
a personalised study plan, practice
questions tailored to your abilities,
and access to 40 practice tests. We recommend you
book your IELTS test early to boost your English
language skills with our practice questions,
mock tests and lessons delivered by experts.
Alright, let’s review what we’ve looked at
and make a plan for your next steps together.
I want you to answer these questions:
Why are you taking the IELTS test? For example,
are you planning to study
at a university in the UK?
This will help you answer the next question.
Which IELTS test is right for
you? IELTS General Training,
IELTS Academic, IELTS Life Skills or IELTS UKVI?
How would you like to take your IELTS test? IELTS
on paper, IELTS on computer or IELTS online?
If your answer is IELTS on
paper or IELTS on computer,
where is your nearest British Council test centre?
How are you going to prepare? Remember you’ve
got this series of British Council preparation
videos plus free access to IELTS Ready
and IELTS Ready Premium to choose from!
And how do you join those? By clicking the
link in the description below this video.
Good luck with your next steps and
feel free to ask any questions you
might have in the comments below.
And don’t forget to subscribe!
This is your IELTS expert Emma, saying goodbye!
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