IELTS FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions on IELTS Exam
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We have tried to answer all the questions about IELTS in this article that were asked by our readers from different sources. Now, it is time you should start preparing. Anyhow, below are answers to some of the questions we are asked frequently.
Why the IELTS test is required?
IELTS exam is required to show your proficiency in English as different businesses and schools require the score of IELTS exams in order to check what is your level of English.
How to take the IELTS exam?
In order to take the IELTS exam, you have to register at the IELTS website and then just have to sit in the exam. Anyhow, you yourself have to find the location of the nearest test center in order to give an exam.
How much is the IELTS Exam Fees?
It is one of the frequently asked and important questions as students or other people have to check their finances too. So, the fee of the IELTS test is between $150 to $300 USD. However, the registration cost depends upon the site of the test center. Every country in the world has its own pricing for the IELTS test. Moreover, there are also numerous organizations hosting the IELTS test by charging the fee they want.
Which organization owns IELTS?
The IELTS exam is sponsored by 3 different organizations such as IDP Education, British Council, and Cambridge. Among these sponsoring organizations, IDP and the British council offer the facility of the IELTS exam at their respected test centers. Moreover, IELTS is likewise managed by different regional and international agencies. These agencies include the Anglo Mexican Foundation and AMIDEAST.
Where to appear for an IELTS exam?
You can take IELTS in different countries of the world. In total there are 140 countries that offer IELTS test facilities. Moreover, in order to find the location of the city or center in a specific country, you can use the IELTS’s “Find a Test Location” service.
When can we take the IELTS exam?
In order to take the IELTS exam, you need to consider different things and then schedule your exam such as deadlines of the application, timeline of the study, test dates available, possible retakes, etc.
What is the format of the IELTS Exam? IELTS will be a paper-based Test?
The answer to this question is Yes. IELTS is a paper-based test. for the reading section of IELTS, you have to write answers on the test booklet. And for the listening test, you have to write answers as soon as you hear the recording. In the end, you have to write your answers on the test answer sheet provided to you. Finally, in your writing section, you have to write the essays on the sheets provided.
From this, you can infer that the IELTS does not assess your literacy on the computer. But yes, it does check your handwriting. So, in order to get good scores to make sure your handwriting is good. Moreover, for people who are not comfortable with writing small letters of English, they can write essays in CAPITAL letters.
What are the alternatives to the IELTS exam?
Many universities offering programs in the English language accept English assessment tests other than IELTS. Most of the time TOEFL is accepted as an alternative to IELTS, but there are also different exams too. In order to have another English assessment test, you can inquire from the university relevant department to see what they want.
In the USA, TOEFL is required by different government agencies from the health care professionals for their licensure and for the immigrant visa. As the IELTS academic exam is very much similar to the TOEFL, it is often used to evaluate the abilities of international workers working in America. Additionally, IELTS is also sometimes used as a substitute for international medical professionals in Europe.
Moreover, for IELTS General training other tests are also possible. Such as Australia accepts IELTS and TOEFL for Immigration purposes. However, commonwealth countries do not agree to take TOEFL for immigration purposes as they have their own alternatives. Apart from this, for the purpose of immigration in Canada, the test scores from the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) are also accepted.
What is the difference between IELTS and TOEFL?
The major difference in TOEFL and IELTS is that the TOEFL is a computer-based test while IELTS is paper-based. However, there are some countries which offer paper-based TOEFL test.
Apart from this, there are also some other differences for example, the TOEFL test comes in the format of academics only as there is no general test version of TOEFL. Moreover, there are also a few questions in listening and reading tests. Additionally, the speaking section of the TOEFL test requires the student to listen to different audios, reading different passages and recording a short speech. On the other hand, the speaking section of IELTS involves the interview with a person. Furthermore, the writing task one of the TOEFL is very different from the IELTS GT or Academic training.
So, whenever you have a choice to choose from TOEFL or IELTS always consider the differences and then opt for it.
How do i start preparing for an IELTS exam?
In order to take good scores in IELTS, you have to do great preparation and need a great preparation material for that. Here are some of the links which can help you
- Free IELTS diagnostic tests for Listening, Speaking, Writing, and Reading
- Magoosh IELTS prep
- free IELTS study guide
- List of the best IELTS books and resources
- One month IELTS study schedule
- One week IELTS study schedule
- Preparing for the IELTS in one month
How much band score is considered a Good IELTS Score?
It usually depends on the organization which requires an IELTS test. So, in this regard, there are many different good scores of the IELTS exam. Moreover, it also depends upon the purpose of your exam as there are different good scores for entrance in University than visa immigration purposes. IELTS score calculation standard is explained here.
