IELTS EXAM

IELTS Exam

The International English Language Testing System, commonly referred to as IELTS, is a test recognized all across the world. It measures English language proficiency for non-native speakers and is designed to assess the candidate’s general proficiency and fluency in English reading, writing, speaking, and listening. It is often a requirement for admission to universities, colleges, and professional organizations in countries where English is the primary language.

IELTS Image
IELTS Exam Details
Particulars Details
Name of the Exam IELTS
IELTS Full Form International English Language Testing System
Official Website https://www.ielts.org/
Purpose Study, Work, Relocation
Accepted By Universities in: The USA, The UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and more
Conducted By IDP Education Ltd.
IELTS Test Format IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training
Mode of Exam Computer-Based, Paper-Based
IELTS Exam Fees INR 17,000
Score Range Band Score of 1 to 9

Who is Eligible for IELTS?

  • In India, to be eligible for IELTS, the candidate must be over 16 years of age.
  • There is no upper age limit for the IELTS exam.
  • No specific educational qualification is required — high school students to postgraduates can take the exam.

Exam Pattern

The IELTS Exam Pattern is majorly designed to test the English language proficiency of non-native speakers. The exam pattern is as follows:

Section Duration Description No. of Questions
Reading 60 Minutes Candidates have to read the provided texts, understand and analyse them and come up with comprehensive responses. These texts can be descriptive, factual, or more discussion-based and analytical. 40
Listening 30 Minutes Individuals have to listen to the provided audio samples and answer given questions accordingly. 40
Speaking 11-14 Minutes Here, the students have to speak on impromptu topics in a coherent and comprehensible manner. 3
Writing 60 Minutes This section requires students to write comprehensive and strong answers after analysing the given texts. 2

Syllabus

The IELTS syllabus covers four sections described below:

1. Listening
  • MCQs
  • Note Completion
  • Matching Information
  • Form Completion
  • Sentence Completion
  • Diagram Labelling
2. Reading
  • MCQs
  • Summary Completion
  • True/False/Not Given
  • Yes/No/Not Given
  • Matching Heading
  • Matching Information
  • Matching Sentence Endings
3. Writing
  • IELTS Writing Task 1: Letter Writing
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Essay Writing
4. Speaking
  • General Introduction
  • Speech on a Given Topic
  • Cue Card Task
  • Independent Speaking
  • Extended Discussion

Best Books for IELTS Preparation

Have a look at some of the best books to prepare for IELTS in 2024:

  1. The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS
    Cambridge University Press – ₹600 - ₹1,500
  2. IELTS Trainer
    Cambridge English – ₹800 - ₹1,200
  3. Barron’s IELTS Superpack
    Barron's Educational Series – ₹2,500 - ₹3,500
  4. IELTS Practice Tests Plus 2
    Pearson Education – ₹700 - ₹1,300
  5. IELTS Writing Task 2 (Academic and General)
    Pauline Cullen – ₹500 - ₹800
  6. IELTS Advantage Writing Skills
    Richard Brown, Lewis Richards – ₹1,000 - ₹1,500
  7. IELTS Speaking: From Band 6.5 to Band 8+
    Daniella Moyla – ₹300 - ₹600
  8. IELTS Speaking (Ideas & Answers)
    Arianne – ₹400 - ₹700
  9. Cambridge Vocabulary for IELTS
    Pauline Cullen, Cambridge University Press – ₹500 - ₹900
  10. Barron’s Essential Words for the IELTS
    Barron’s Educational Series – ₹500 - ₹1,000

FAQs

Can I achieve a good score in IELTS in 1 month?

The typical time required to achieve a good score of 6 bands in IELTS is 1-2 months. If you want to achieve 7 bands or higher it is usually advised to prepare for 6-8 months at least.

What are the best books to prepare for IELTS?

Do check out the list of books that we have mentioned, which are good and affordable.

How can one prepare for IELTS at home?

To prepare for IELTS at home, Follow the following steps:

  • Understand the exam’s format
  • Identify your strong pursuits and weaknesses
  • Set goals and create a schedule
  • Refer to good help-books
  • Be consistent