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IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. This test is to assess proficiency in English language to pursue higher studies in or migrate to many countries.

In IELTS test, you are assessed for all of your English skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening. Your IELTS score is an indicator of your ability to use English as a language in and outside the class, with your peer group, at internships and part-time opportunities and in social life overseas.

Hence, most of the universities in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and other countries will ask you to submit your IELTS (or TOEFL) score along with your application.

Good news is, unlike GRE, IELTS score is not used to assess your academic ability. Those universities want to ensure that you would be comfortable in communicating in English. Hence, at most of the universities, you would be fine with a IELTS score of 6.5 or more in each of the four sections.

With a couple of weeks of preparation, you should be able to achieve a score of 6.5 or more, which would be sufficient for your overseas applications.

IELTS exam has been designed and is jointly owned by the British Council and IDP.

What is IELTS exam?


IELTS exam is conducted in two formats – the General module and the Academic module.

**IELTS General version** focuses on identifying the ability of people to communicate in a broad social setup and in the work place. This module applies to people who wish to move to English speaking countries for the purpose of secondary education, work experience or training programs.

**IELTS Academic version**, on the other hand, focuses on assessing the communication skills of people planning to study in higher education or would be taking up professional assignments in the country abroad. The test assesses the ability of the candidate who plans to study in an environment where English is the primary medium of instruction. This is the test that you need to take to pursue higher education overseas.

IELTS will test you on 4 sections of communication namely Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. A detailed description and pattern of each of the section is as given below.

What is IELTS exam pattern?


To demonstrating your reading comprehension, IELTS Reading section requires you to answer 40 questions in 60 minutes.

Reading section tests a variety of reading skills which include, reading and identifying the main idea, understanding the writer’s opinion or attitude, reading for details.

The Reading section under the Academic version contains 3 passages extracted from authentic text and magazines. Each passage will be followed by questions of varied formats such as:

- multiple choice
- matching
- sentence completion
- summary/note/table/flow-chart completion
- diagram label completion
- short-answer questions
Reading section under General version would be similar to that of Academic version, but the passages extracted would be from books, magazines, newspapers, advertisements and handouts. The content would primarily deal with day to day communication in an English speaking environment. As we are focusing on studying overseas, we will not go into much details for General version.

1) IELTS Reading Pattern

To demonstrate your ability to understand the speech of native English speakers, IELTS Listening section requires you to answer 40 questions in 40 minutes. You’ll be expected to understand conversations and monologues related to business, school, and personal life.

As part of the test, you would listen to various recordings. Each recording represents a different kind of speech: a conversation between two people pertaining to a social context, a monologue, primarily discussing local facilities, a conversation between two to four people in an academic environment and an Academic lecture on a particular subject. Each recording has corresponding questions, totaling 40 questions of varied formats such as:

- multiple choice
- sentence completion
- matching
- plan/map/diagram labeling
- form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion

2) IELTS Listening Pattern

For Academic IELTS, you’ll be required to show that you can provide a written description of some visual information such as a graph, chart or table in no less than 150 words in 20 minutes. In addition, on the basis of an argument or opinion, you’ll be required to show that you can develop your ideas in an essay in no less than 250 words in 40 minutes. Both should demonstrate your ability to use English in an academic or semi-formal tone.

For General IELTS, the first writing task involves a familiar task, like letter writing, in response to a scenario. You will be given 20 minutes to write about 150 words. The second task is an essay and should be no less than 250 words. You will be given specific instructions on what to discuss and you will have 40 minutes to do so.

3) IELTS Writing Pattern

IELTS Speaking is focused on life skills. The interview focuses on light personal conversation. This is the kind of talk you’ll have with many different people when you work or study in the English speaking world.

IELTS Speaking test lasts for 11-14 minutes and comprise of following three sections:

- **Section 1** – The examiner would ask the you general questions related to your personal life. It could be related to your family, work life or friends. This entire section takes approximately 4-5 minutes.
- **Section 2** – You would be given a topic card and get 1 minute to prepare yourself to discuss the topic mentioned in the card. Post preparation, your would have to speak on the topic for 2 minutes.
- **Section 3** – You would be asked further questions related to the topic in Section 2. The purpose of this section is to discuss the ideas and other issues related to the topic. This section would last for about 4-5 minutes.
 

4) IELTS Speaking Pattern

Fees for IELTS: In India, the fee is Rs. 12,100, payable at the time of registration.

In other countries, fee fee for IELTS exam ranges between US$215-$240. 

What is fee for IELTS exam?

You can register for the IELTS either online or can download the application and fill in the paper application form and submit it at the nearest test center.

How do I register for IELTS?

If you have a valid credit (or, debit) card, you can book your test online online in a simple and straight forward way:

- Log on to www.ieltsidpindia.com.
- Select the option “Register for IELTS”
- Select your test date and test city (you will see the seat availability status)
- Complete the on-line application form.
- Pay the test fee by credit card (Master / Visa)
- Get instant seat booking and acknowledgement. 

You need to bring photocopy of your Passport (first and last page) and a print out of registration confirmation that you would receive in your email that you gave during the registration process. Please remember that without these documents, you will NOT be allowed to sit the test.

**Other Options** 

You can also walk into any of 25+ branched of IDP to register in-person for IELTS test.

Alternatively, you can book for IELTS test through British Council. Check this url for online registration.

Option 1: Register online

Assuming you are interested in applying to foreign universities for your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, you should aim for a band score 6.5 – both overall as well as for each of the individual sections.

What is a good score in IELTS?

If you chooses to cancel your test more than 5 weeks before the test date, you will get a complete refund of the test fee after deducting administrative charges.

But if you cancel your test within 5 weeks of the test date, you will be charged the full fee unless there is a valid medical reason. If a valid medical certificate is produced, the test center will refund the test fee after deducting administrative charges as applicable.

How can I change my IELTS exam date?

Here are some tips that you should keep in mind to prepare for IELTS by yourself.

**Have realistic goals**

You need to have a fixed aim for IELTS – what band score are you aiming for?

For overseas studies, you would be fine with a IELTS score of 6.5+ in all the tests. Universities use IELTS score as a sanity factor to ensure that you have a minimum level of communication in English to succeed in the program that you are planning to pursue. Beyond that it doesn’t matter if you have a band score of 7 or 8.

Once you’ve decided in your target band score, have your level of English checked. If your level of English is much lower than the appropriate level for that band score – refer to the assessment criteria mentioned below – you will have difficulties in achieving your target IELTS band score. In that case you better improve on your English first before you prepare for IELTS skills. Improving English will require more commitment and time from your side than preparing for IELTS skills.

Time required to prepare for IELTS and achieve your target band score depends on your level of English. Some students can take IELTS in 2 weeks to achieve a band score of 7+ and other can take months to reach at that score.

**Know Assessment Criteria for your target IELTS band**

Listening and Reading is simple as those are based on points system. For speaking and writing, it’s little different as the examiner is looking for specific things in your language. You need to know exactly what the examiner is looking for the band that you want to score.

Hence, after you have identified your target IELTS band score, you should get a good sense of the assessment criteria for that particular band score. Click here to download Speaking Criteria and Writing Criteria  and look carefully through these criteria to understand what skills you need to demonstrate to score IELTS score in that band.

These assessment criteria are simple, easy to understand and follow. Let me take some examples:

Example1: To score 7 in Speaking Skill, you should be able to meet following criteria:

- Speak full sentences without making too many mistakes
- Speak with confidence without noticeable efforts or loss of coherence
- Use a wide variety of words to discuss a number of topics
- Able to paraphrase effectively

Example 2: To score 7 in Writing Task 1, you should be able to meet following criteria:

- Covers the requirements of the task
- Clearly presents and highlight key features
- Logically organizes information and ideas
- Use a wide range of vocabulary

Once you start understanding and applying these criteria in your language, you would start improving to achieve your target IELTS band score.

**Focus on your weakest skill**

Be clear on what you need to improve the most. Is it Speaking, Listening, Reading or Writing? Or a combination of two or more skills? Once you’ve identified a skill to be improved, work on specific areas within that skill.

Keep in mind that you might only need to improve few specific areas to life your score by 1 to 2 points. It could be answering all components of the questions, improving your spellings or pronunciation, or increase your vocabulary of words that you use.

**Learn about question types**

For Listening and Reading in IELTS, there are over 10 different question types. In the exam, you would not have enough time to look at a question and try to understand what you need to do. It’s much better if you know the type of questions beforehand.

**Understand tips and techniques for each question types**

IELTS have specific question types for Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking. It’s important that you practice only those types. By learning non-IELTS question types you would just waste time without any improvement in your IELTS score.

**Build speed and time management for Reading and Writing**

Reading and writing have fixed time limit. You may have difficulties in finishing all 40 questions in one hour for Reading. Or, you may not be able to write Test 1 and Test 2 in one hour. So building speed and learning to manage your time is very important.

How do I prepare for IELTS?


Even if you are most prepared, you can make common mistakes on the test day and loose valuable marks. Let’s take a look at most common mistakes so that you don’t fall into the same trap.

**Not reading the questions properly**

In any tests, have you ever written more words than the set limit or provided two answers when only one is required? In both instances, you answers would be marked as incorrect simply because you fail to follow the instructions. So make sure your read the questions carefully and stick to what you are being asked.

**Changing the subjects in the writing test**

No matter how well structured your writing is, you would still not get a good score if your writing is off-topic. To avoid this situation, ensure that you stick to the topic.

**Not pronouncing words correctly**

Do you have accents? Don’t worry as IELTS doesn’t deduct marks to penalize you because of your accent. While your accent is not important, keep in mind that your pronunciation is important. Make sure you practice for your pronunciation with some English speaker before your test.

**Repeating the question, while answering in Speaking test**

Don’t be a parrot. For example, if the questions is – what is your favorite city? Don’t answering – my favorite city is Venice. You don’t need to repeat the question. Rather you can use this opportunity to demonstrate richness of your vocabulary by answering – I love traveling, especially historical places and I would love to travel to Venice. Make it a point to show off many different English words that you know.

**Leaving blank answers**

Make sure to answer all the questions in both listening and reading tests. Even if you have to take a guess, do that. You will not lose marks for incorrect answers. And if you get lucky, some of guessed answers may turn out to be correct!

Take note of these common mistakes and and you will be well on your way towards scoring a great IELTS score.

**Not doing full practice test under exam conditions**

Take at least one full practice test i.e. Listening, Reading and Writing all together. Give yourself 2 hours and 40 minutes, without any break, as in the real test. This will give you and idea about how difficult and tiring IELTS exam can be. You can do this at your home, by using an alarm clock for time keeping.

How can I improve my IELTS score?

1. IELTS test takes 2 hour and 40 minutes – that’s a long and tiring test. Ensure that you are you have slept well the earlier night, exercise or meditate, if you are into those things, and have taken good – but not heavy – breakfast so that you are at your best!
2. Wear comfortable cloths.
3. You can take a drink into the exam room in a transparent bottle.
4. Have a good idea about route and traffic to IELTS test center and arrive early. Don’t be late or you won’t be allowed to enter the exam room.
5. There is no break for the entire duration of 2 hours and 40 minute of the test. So make sure you go to the toilet before you enter the exam room.
6. No phones allowed in the test room.
7. You can take pens, pencils and erasers into your test.
8. You need to take your passport, a photocopy of your password (1st and last page) and a print-out of your registration confirmation. Also confirm with your test center for exactly what ID you need to take with you.
9. Listen carefully to all instructions given before your test starts.
10. Make sure you know where the clock is in your test room so that you can track your timings. You can’t take your watch into the exam room.
11. Make sure you go into your test with a clear aim and an understanding of the techniques you need to use. Be calm and confident at all time.

IELTS Test Tips: on the test day

The following IELTS test tips for each section will help you focus on the right things during your test. Don’t lose marks by not being prepared.

**IELTS Listening Test Tips**

1. Ensure that your headphone is working. Raise your hand if it is not to ask for assistance.
2. In case no headphone is being used, ensure that you can clearly hear recordings. If not, raise your hand to ask for assistance.
3. Read all the questions before recording starts.
4. Focus on listening answers without trying to understand everything being said.
5. While listening recordings, write your answers on your question paper.
6. Follow instruction on number of words you can have for each answer.
7. After the recordings end, you will have 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. Do check your spelling and grammar.

**IELTS Reading Test Tips**

1. Follow instructions on number of words that you can use for your answer.
2. Don’t waste time trying to find one answer. Just guess and move on to the next question.
3. Keep a track of time. Remember where the clock is in the test room.
4. Directly write your answers on your answer sheet.
5. Analyze questions before jumping to answer. Look out for paraphrasing.

**IELTS Writing Test Tips**

1. Manage your time well. Spend no more than 20 minutes for Task 1 as you would need 40 minutes for Task 2.
2. Don’t waste time in counting number of words that you’ve written. Rather count  number of lines and estimate your word count. It’s alright if you go 5-15 words beyond word limits of 150 words for Task 1 and 250 words for Task 2.
3. You should write your plan for the essay on your question paper as you won’t get any extra sheet.
4. Write a clear overview for Task 1 and write your conclusion for Task 2.
5. Check for any spelling errors. Both “colour” (UK English) and “color” (US English) are correct.
6. Focus on writing clearly and relevant to the topic. More words doesn’t mean better writing.

**IELTS Speaking Test Tips**

1. Practice English speaking, preferably with some native speaker, or someone who has taken IELTS test earlier
2. This is not a formal interview. Be confident and be open to chat.
3. Listen to the questions, take your time, and answer directly. No need to repeat the question.
4. Pay attention to your body language. A confident, relaxed body language will make up for any lack in your vocabulary.
5. Ask the examiner to repeat the question, if you’ve not heard it clearly.
6. The examiner will give you a pen and paper to prepare for your talk for part 2. She will not look at your plan and only mark your talk.

IELTS Test Tips: During your test

IELTS results are available 13 days after taking the test.You can arrange for your test center to courier your IELTS score card to you, or you can pick it up in person

How do I get my IELTS exam results?

The differences between TOEFL and IELTS are few but not inconsequential. They cost roughly the same, have the same duration (approx. 3 hours) and validity (2 years), and are offered nearly year round. If you want to study in the UK, Australia or other commonwealth countries, go for IELTS. Whereas, to study in the US and Canada, go for TOEFL. If you are still confused between the two, go for IELTS – many of our students say it’s easier!

What is the difference between IELTS and TOEFL?

IELTS is mostly a British test. Hence, it is more readily accepted in universities within the commonwealth. This includes colleges in Britain, New Zealand, Canada and Australia. Many American universities accept the IELTS as well.

TOEFL was initially developed at the Center for Applied Linguistics at Stanford University. As such, it has very wide acceptance in US universities. Almost every American college will accept the IELTS, though that can’t be said for the IELTS.

As a student, you can should consult the testing requirements of your target universities. Broadly speaking, if you’re applying for colleges in the British Commonwealth, go with IELTS. Otherwise, take TOEFL. It isn’t uncommon for colleges to accept either scores, regardless of what testing requirements state.

Acceptance

Because TOEFL is an older test than IELTS, and because more students apply for universities in US than Australia or Britain, TOEFL boasts a higher number of test centers as well: 4,500 centers spread across 165 countries.

IELTS, on the other hand, has only 900 centers globally, though this shouldn’t be an issue as they have a center in pretty much every major international city.

Both IELTS and TOEFL are offered 48 times per year.

Availability

TOEFL offers just one type of test – the TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test). Some centers also offer the Paper-based Test (PBT) which is just a paper version of the iBT.

IELTS offers two types of tests:

- Academic: This test is used for meeting the admission requirements of universities. It is harder, with the tests concerned primarily with performance in an academic setting.
- General: This is a general purpose test used to meet visa requirements when immigrating to a country. It is easier with most questions concerned with performance in a real world, social setting.

The IELTS test taker split is almost equally divided into 50% academic, and 50% general test takers.

Types

Testing fee for both TOEFL and IELTS varies between $150-$250 depending on your location and test type.

Cost

The TOEFL is scored out of 120 points. IELTS scores are based on a 9 point scale with half-point increments. Since the TOEFL is scored on a wider point range, some students feel it to be fairer than IELTS, where a few mistakes might degrade your score by a point or two.

Scoring

Besides the above, there are a few section specific differences among the tests as well:

**Writing**

Since IELTS is offered by the British Council, it accepts both UK and US English spellings. TOEFL, on the other hand, uses predominantly US English spellings. If you’re more comfortable with UK than US English, consider taking the IELTS and vice-versa.

**Listening**

Expect to hear a variety of different accents on the IELTS Listening section. This may include, but isn’t limited to, British, American, Australian and Canadian accents.

TOEFL, on the other hand, employs the standard American accent. If you watch a lot of American movies or TV shows, you’ll find this much easier to handle than an Australian or Irish accent on the IELTS. You can learn more about the standard American accent in this course.

**Speaking**

The IELTS speaking section is actually a one-on-one interview. Question topics can range from the academic (“talk about the theory of evolution for a minute”), to the mundane (“what is your favorite hobby and why?”).

The TOEFL speaking section involves speaking into a microphone. Most questions will be academic in nature. You will also be asked to listen to a lecture or academic discussion and voice your thoughts on the same (such questions are called ‘integrated tasks’ on the TOEFL).

If you’re more comfortable speaking into a mic than sitting across an interviewer, you’ll find the TOEFL Speaking section way easier.

Section Specific Differences

The differences between TOEFL and IELTS are few but not inconsequential. They cost roughly the same, have the same duration (approx. 3 hours) and validity (2 years), and are offered nearly year round. Depending on where you want to study – US or UK/Australia – you may choose either one of them. If you want to study in the UK, Australia or other commonwealth countries, go for IELTS. On the other hand, to study in the US and Canada, go for TOEFL. If you are still confused between the two, go for IELTS – many of our students say it’s easier!

 

Closing Words

IELTS by by British Council and IDP – learn about exam date, registration fee, exam booking, pattern, results and preparation tips to score better.

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If you are thinking about taking the IELTS, read our detailed guide about exam dates, registration fees, exam booking, patterns, results, etc.

IELTS by British Council and IDP

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. This test is to assess proficiency in English language to pursue higher studies in or migrate to many countries. In the IELTS test, you are assessed for all of your English skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening. Your IELTS score is an indicator of your ability to use English as a language in and outside the class, with your peer group, at internships and part-time opportunities and in social life overseas.

What is the IELTS exam?

IELTS pattern is divided into two parts  - IELTS General version focuses on identifying the ability of people to communicate in a broad social setup and in the workplace. IELTS Academic version, on the other hand, focuses on assessing the communication skills of people planning to study in higher education or would be taking up professional assignments in the country abroad.

What is the IELTS exam pattern?

Fees for IELTS: In India, the fee is Rs. 12,100, payable at the time of registration.

What is the fee for the IELTS exam?

If you choose to cancel your test more than 5 weeks before the test date, you will get a complete refund of the test fee after deducting administrative charges. But if you cancel your test within 5 weeks of the test date, you will be charged the full fee unless there is a valid medical reason.

IELTS is mostly a British test. Hence, it is more readily accepted in universities within the commonwealth. This includes colleges in Britain, New Zealand, Canada and Australia. Many American universities accept the IELTS as well.

Where is IELTS accepted?

Even if you are most prepared, you can make common mistakes on the test day and lose valuable marks. Make sure you read the questions properly, solve mock tests, and speak clearly.

Both IELTS and TOEFL are designed to test your proficiency with the English language, especially your ability to communicate effectively in a classroom setting and fit into a predominantly English-speaking culture. Consequently, while SAT/GRE/GMAT test your verbal ability, including reading comprehension, vocabulary, etc. IELTS and TOEFL only test how comfortable you are with the English language. That doesn’t mean these tests are a cakewalk, but you won’t be stretched nearly as thin as with the SAT, GRET or GMAT.

IELTS or TOEFL is usually a requirement for students from countries where English is not the primary language. In some countries, taking either of these tests may also be required for obtaining a visa. At the same time, high scores in the standardized tests – SAT/GRE – or a English-heavy course curriculum at the high-school or Bachelor’s degree level (for students applying for Master’s and PhD’s abroad) may exempt you from these requirements, though this is the exception, not the norm. In 90% cases, you will be required to take either the IELTS or TOEFL.

The Basics

Both IELTS and TOEFL are divided into four sections:

- Reading: This section is meant to test your basic reading abilities. You’ll be shown 3-4 passages followed by questions on the same. The passages are usually easy* – something you’d find in any common academic textbook – and cover a wide range of topics, from journalistic pieces to first person accounts.
- Listening: This section tests your ability to understand spoken lectures and conversations – a crucial part of academic and social success in a foreign country. You will be asked to recordings of 3-4 lectures and discussions, followed by questions on the same.
- Writing: The writing section tests your writing ability. Don’t worry; nobody expects you to pen the next Grapes of Wrath here. You will mostly be asked to write a summary of an academic discussion, and express your opinion on a topic. This section primarily tests how you organize your thoughts, and whether you can write fluent English that would be acceptable in an academic setting.
- Speaking: This section checks whether you can speak coherently on a given topic. This may be broken down into several tasks. Some may take the form of an interview (IELTS), while some may require you to listen to a discussion and express your thoughts on the same.

What They Test?



Now that we know what the IELTS and TOEFL actually are, let’s look at the key differences between them.

What are the differences between IELTS and TOEFL?

IELTS is mostly a British test. Hence, it is more readily accepted in universities within the commonwealth. This includes colleges in Britain, New Zealand, Canada and Australia. Many American universities accept the IELTS as well.

TOEFL was initially developed at the Center for Applied Linguistics at Stanford University. As such, it has very wide acceptance in US universities. Almost every American college will accept the TOEFL, though that can’t be said for the IELTS.

As a student, you can should consult the testing requirements of your target universities. Broadly speaking, if you’re applying for colleges in the British Commonwealth, go with IELTS. Otherwise, take TOEFL. It isn’t uncommon for colleges to accept either scores, regardless of what testing requirements state.

TOEFL offers just one type of test – the TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test). Some centers also offer the Paper-based Test (PBT) which is just a paper version of the iBT.

IELTS offers two types of tests:

Academic: This test is used for meeting the admission requirements of universities. It is harder, with the tests concerned primarily with performance in an academic setting.
General: This is a general purpose test used to meet visa requirements when immigrating to a country. It is easier with most questions concerned with performance in a real world, social setting.
The IELTS test taker split is almost equally divided into 50% academic, and 50% general test takers.

What is the fee for IELTS and TOEFL?


The TOEFL is scored out of 120 points. IELTS scores are based on a 9 point scale with half-point increments. Since the TOEFL is scored on a wider point range, some students feel it to be fairer than IELTS, where a few mistakes might degrade your score by a point or two.



Besides the above, there are a few section specific differences among the tests as well:



Since IELTS is offered by the British Council, it accepts both UK and US English spellings. TOEFL, on the other hand, uses predominantly US English spellings. If you’re more comfortable with UK than US English, consider taking the IELTS and vice-versa.

Writing



Expect to hear a variety of different accents on the IELTS Listening section. This may include, but isn’t limited to, British, American, Australian and Canadian accents.

TOEFL, on the other hand, employs the standard American accent. If you watch a lot of American movies or TV shows, you’ll find this much easier to handle than an Australian or Irish accent on the IELTS. You can learn more about the standard American accent in this course.

Listening



The IELTS speaking section is actually a one-on-one interview. Question topics can range from the academic (“talk about the theory of evolution for a minute”), to the mundane (“what is your favorite hobby and why?”).

The TOEFL speaking section involves speaking into a microphone. Most questions will be academic in nature. You will also be asked to listen to a lecture or academic discussion and voice your thoughts on the same (such questions are called ‘integrated tasks’ on the TOEFL).

If you’re more comfortable speaking into a mic than sitting across an interviewer, you’ll find the TOEFL Speaking section way easier.

Speaking



The differences between TOEFL and IELTS are few but not inconsequential. Depending on where you want to study – US or UK/Australia – you may choose either one of them. They cost roughly the same, have the same duration (approx. 3 hours) and validity (2 years), and are offered nearly year round.

IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) are the two main English language tests available for prospective college students from non-English speaking countries. Depending on your native language and pre-college curriculum, taking either the IELTS or TOEFL may be a necessity. Although similar in ambition and focus, these tests differ broadly in their approach and testing criteria.

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Are you wondering whether to take IELTS or Toefl? Read our blog to learn how these tests differ in their approach and testing criteria.

IELTS or TOEFL: Which English Language Exam is Right for You?

Both IELTS and TOEFL are designed to test your proficiency with the English language, especially your ability to communicate effectively in a classroom setting and fit into a predominantly English-speaking culture. Consequently, the SAT/GRE/GMAT test your verbal ability, including reading comprehension, vocabulary, etc. IELTS and TOEFL only test how comfortable you are with the English language. That doesn’t mean these tests are a cakewalk, but you won’t be stretched nearly as thin as with the SAT, GRE or GMAT.

What is the IELTS and TOEFL exam?

IELTS is mostly a British examination. As a result, it is more often recognised at Commonwealth universities. This covers institutions in Great Britain, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia. The TOEFL was created at Stanford University's Center for Applied Linguistics. As a result, it is widely accepted at American colleges.

Testing fee for both TOEFL and IELTS varies between $150-$250 depending on your location and test type..

What is the difference in scoring between TOEFL and IELTS?

The test is conducted in two formats namely the general module and the Academic module.  The General module focuses on identifying the ability of people to communicate in a broad social setup and in the work place. This module applies to people who wish to move to English speaking countries for the purpose of secondary education, work experience or training programs.

The Academic module, on the other hand, focuses on assessing the communication skills of people planning to study in higher education or would be taking up professional assignments in the country abroad. The test assesses the  ability of the candidate who plans to study in an environment where English is the primary medium of instruction.

Types of Test

The IELTS tests every candidate on 4 basic components of communication namely Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. A detailed description of each of the components is as given below.

**Listening** 
Duration – 30 minutes 
Listening module has 4 Sections 
- Section – 1: A conversation between two people pertaining to a social context
- Section – 2: A monologue, primarily discussing local facilities
- Section – 3: A conversation between two to four people in an academic environment
- Section – 4: An Academic lecture on a particular subject

**Reading** **– Academic module** 
Duration – 60 minutes / 40 Questions 

Reading module tests a variety of reading skills which include, reading and identifying the main idea, understanding the writer’s opinion or attitude, reading for details. The Reading module under the academic module contains 3 passages extracted from authentic text and magazines. The content is relevant for people who would be studying in universities or opting for professional courses.

**Reading – General module** 
Duration – 60 minutes / 40 questions 
The content of the Reading Section module under the General module would be similar to that of the Academic module but the passages extracted would be from books, magazines, newspapers, advertisements and handouts. The content would primarily deal with day to day communication in an English speaking environment.

**Writing – Academic module** 
Duration – 60 minutes 
No of tasks – 2 
- Task 1 – Representation of a graph or chart – A graph, table or chart would be presented and the candidate would have to describe, summarize or explain the information in the graph or chart in words.
- Task 2 – General Essay – The candidate would be asked to write an essay on the basis of an argument or opinion that is presented.

**Writing – General module** 
Duration – 60 minutes 
No of tasks – 2 
- Task 1 – The candidate would be asked to write a letter which could be a formal or an informal one.
- Task 2 – General Essay – The candidate would be asked to write an essay on the basis of an argument or opinion that is presented.

**Speaking** 
Duration – 11-14 Minutes 
No of Sections -3 
- Section 1 – The examiner would ask the candidate general questions related to the personal life of the candidate. It could be related to family, work life or friends. This entire section takes approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Section 2 – The candidate would be given a topic card and the candidate gets 1 minute to prepare themselves to discuss the topic mentioned in the card. Post preparation, the candidate would have to speak on the topic for 2 minutes.
- Section 3 – The candidate would be asked further questions related to the topic in Section 2. The purpose of this section would be to discuss the ideas and other issues related to the topic. This section would last for about 4-5 minutes.

What is the Structure of IELTS?

The IELTS is accepted in all countries across the globe.  The acceptance of the IELTS would depend on the organizing body that the candidate would be looking for.  Each organization would define a required IELTS score as determined fit by the governing body. The organizing bodies would be Educational institutions, Government organizations, Universities etc.

Utility of IELTS Test

Candidates can register for the IELTS either online or can download the application and fill in the paper application form and submit it at the nearest test center. The test fee for the IELTS is Rs. 11,000 (Rupees Eleven thousand only) effective from April 1, 2016. The test fee can be enclosed or the payment can be made online. The valid identification document for candidates of Indian origin is a valid Indian passport. The identification document should be valid at the time of taking the test. The same identification document has to be presented to the Examiner at the Examination Hall on the day of the test. Once the application form and test fee have been submitted, the test center will confirm the date and time of the test.

The Registration Process


If the candidate chooses to cancel a test more than 5 weeks before the actual test date, the candidate will get a complete refund of the test fee after deducting administrative charges. But if the candidate cancels a test within 5 weeks of the test date, the candidate will be charged the full fee unless there is a valid medical reason. If a valid medical certificate is produced, the test center will refund the test fee after deducting administrative charges as applicable.

Can I Cancel or Re-schedule my IELTS Exam?

The IELTS will be completed in one day. In most cases all modules are completed in a single day. In some circumstances, the Speaking module would be conducted on another day and the date and time would be communicated by the Test center. The Speaking module is conducted within 7 days before or after the test date.

On the Test Day


The IELTS Test report will be received within 13 days of the test date. The results would also be available online. Only one copy of the Test score report would be provided. Additional test score report copies will not be given to the candidates. The test center would send the test score reports directly to the institutions required by the candidates and the candidate will have to pay administrative charges as applicable.

How long does it take to receive IELTS results?


If the candidates chooses to get his test scores re-evaluated, he may do so by contacting the test center within 6 weeks of the test date. An inquiry fee as applicable has to be paid. This fee would be refunded fully if the test score band changes.

Inquiry on Results

International English Language Testing System is an English language proficiency test that assesses the language skills of people who would want to study or work in countries where English is the primary medium of communication. The proficiency level of a candidate is measured using a 9 band scale from band 1 to band 9.


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It is possible to ace the IELTS with the right guidance. Read our blog for a comprehensive guide on how to prepare for this English proficiency exam.

IELTS Made Easy: Structure, Test day and Other tips

International English Language Testing System is an English language proficiency test that assesses the language skills of people who would want to study or work in countries where English is the primary medium of communication. The proficiency level of a candidate is measured using a 9 band scale from band 1 to band 9.

What is an IELTS exam?

Candidates can register for the IELTS either online or can download the application and fill in the paper application form and submit it at the nearest test center. The test fee for the IELTS is Rs. 11,000. A genuine Indian passport is the only acceptable form of identification for applicants of Indian descent. At the time of the exam, the identity document must be valid. On the day of the exam, the identical identification document must be given to the Examiner in the Examination Hall. The test facility will confirm the day and time of the test once the application form and test money have been received.

What is the registration process for IELTS?

If the candidate chooses to cancel a test more than 5 weeks before the actual test date, the candidate will get a complete refund of the test fee after deducting administrative charges. But if the candidate cancels a test within 5 weeks of the test date, the candidate will be charged the full fee unless there is a valid medical reason.

Can I Cancel or Reschedule my IELTS Exam?

The IELTS Test report will be received within 13 days of the test date.

If the candidate chooses to get his test scores re-evaluated, he may do so by contacting the test center within 6 weeks of the test date. 

Can I get my IELTS marks re-evaluated?

The International Language Testing System, which is commonly referred to as the IELTS, is perhaps the most widely accepted English language proficiency test in the world. This test is necessary for students hoping to pursue their higher education in English speaking countries.

The test is recognized and valued by over 10,000 education providers around the world. A few non-English speaking countries are home to universities with programs taught in English. The universities often require prospective international students to submit their IELTS scores with their applications.

What is the IELTS?

There are two types of exams that IELTS provides. The IELTS Academic test is aimed at prospective candidates hoping to pursue their higher education at an international institution. It is also ideal for those looking to train at a professional institution in another country.

The IELTS General Training test is best suited for individuals looking to work in an English-speaking country or gain work experience or professional training.

What is the Types of IELTS?

You can either sign up for the IELTS online or register by post. To begin, you have to choose your test center. Once you have done this, you will be directed to a page where you can register and pay for your IELTS test.

If you prefer to apply via post, you will have to download and fill the IELTS application form, before submitting it to the nearest IELTS center.

Once your application has been processed, you will receive a mail confirming the date and time of your written and spoken IELTS test.

How to Register?

To take the IELTS exam (academic and general training), you will have to pay a fee of Rs. 14,000 for the pen and paper-based test as well as the computer-delivered test. If you are writing the IELTS for UK visas and immigration, you will have to pay a fee of Rs. 15,050. There are a variety of options to pay for the test. You can pay via credit card, debit card, net banking, payment wallets, demand drafts or cash.

Please note that some of the Indian centers do not accept cash or credit and debit cards.

What is the Cost for the IELTS Exam?

The IELTS is open to almost everyone. The main requirement to give the exam is a passport. It is also recommended for people over 16 years of age.

What is the Eligibility For IELTS?

The listening, reading and writing test is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

The listening section is 30 minutes long. Four recordings of native English speakers will be provided, and after listening to each recording, you will have to write down answers to questions about the recording.

The reading section, which is 60 minutes long, requires you to read three passages and answer 40 questions pertaining to the passages. The questions test the reader’s ability to:

- identify information in the passages
- identify the writer’s views and opinions
- match features
- match information
- match sentence endings
- complete sentences
- complete tables
- complete flowcharts
- answer short questions
- Complete notes
- Match headings
- Complete summaries
- Label diagrams
- Multiple-choice questions

The writing section comprises two tasks, and you will be allotted 60 minutes to complete both. In the first task, you will be given a chart, diagram, table or graph, which you will be asked to explain, describe or summarize. In the second task, you will be provided with a passage that involves a problem, point of view or argument, and you will have to pen a response to this passage.

The speaking portion of the IELTS takes around 15 minutes and is divided into three parts. In the first part, you will be asked questions on familiar topics as well as yourself. These topics could include your interests, ambition, family, home, work or studies.

In the second part, you will have to speak about a topic on a card provided to you. After a minute to think about it, and two minutes to talk about the topic, you will be asked a question or two about the topic. This is also part 3 of the speaking section, where you will be able to discuss more abstract ideas and your thoughts about the issue.

What is the Test Duration and Format for IELTS?

The four sections of the IELTS are scored on bands of 9, and the average score of these is considered the final result. The score you earn will be between 0 and 9 and includes half bands (.5) as well. Hence, the highest possible score you can earn is 9, while the lowest possible score is 0. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers, so answering every question is advisable.

Each correct answer in the listening and reading section is awarded one point. The total score of each section is then converted to bands. The writing and speaking sections are also assessed in bands.

If you earn a total score of 7.25 bands, it will be rounded up to the upper half-band, so in this case, your final score will be 7.5. If you earn 7.75, your final score will be eight bands.

To better understand how many questions you will have to get right to get a certain number of bands, refer to the following table:

Listening

Band score Raw score out of 40

- 5	-16
- 6	-23
- 7	-30
- 8	-35

Reading

Band score Raw score out of 40

- 5	-15
- 6	-23
- 7	-30
- 8	-35

As you cannot fail in the IELTS, the score you require depends on the university and country’s requirements. Each university will have its own IELTS requirement, and you will have to check their website to find out the minimum score they will accept. Most countries require a minimum score of 6.5 for postgraduate courses and 6.0 for undergraduate courses. These countries include Canada, Australia, USA, and New Zealand. The UK also accepts 5.5 as the minimum IELTS score.

The IELTS scores will be delivered within 13 days of giving the test. The results will be available to view for 28 days.

You can check the results online or opt for an SMS update from the center, as most centers will provide you with this option. You can even ask the center to post the results to you or pick up the results in person.

You will need your ID number or passport as well as your candidate number to get your results.

Your IELTS results will be sent to 5 nominated universities or organizations, which you can select when you sign up for your IELTS. While your scores will be sent to these five organizations for free, you will have to pay a small administration fee to send your scores to additional organizations.

Results

Your IELTS scores are valid for three years. You can opt to retake the IELTS at any point in time without any restrictions based on when you took it last. However, you will have to check in advance and apply for an available date and time slot that you find favorable. As the IELTS is conducted 2-3 times a month, you can even take the exam twice in a month.

Validity and Retakes

If you wish to postpone or cancel your IELTS test, you will have to do so at least five weeks before your scheduled test date. You can do this in person or via email. If you do not do this within five weeks, you will not receive a refund.

There are exceptions, however, and in these cases, you will receive a refund if you provide proof of your inability to sit for the test. The exceptions include serious illnesses or injuries, loss or bereavement of a close family member, and hardship or trauma caused by a crime committed against you or a result of an accident.

Also worth noting, is that you cannot cancel or postpone different parts of your test. For instance, your speaking test is still part of the IELTS test, so you cannot postpone just this part of your test.

Transfer, Cancellation, And Refund

As your IELTS test location may be different from the test center where you booked your test, you should check the location, date and time and ensure you reach before the exam commences. You may not be allowed to take the exam if you arrive after it begins.

Electronic devices, including your mobile phone, will not be allowed inside the test room, so you will have to leave these items outside along with your other personal belongings.

Once you begin your test, which will take 2 hours and 40 minutes, you will have no break between each of the three parts of the test – listening, reading and writing. As you are only allowed to carry liquids in a transparent bottle, you may want to ensure you’ve had something to eat before your test.

You should carry proof of identification as well. The staff will confirm your identity, so make sure you carry the relevant ID mentioned in the documents you receive after registering for the exam.

In addition to checking your ID, the IELTS staff will also click your photograph before the exam commences and this photo will be placed on your Test Report form. Centers in certain countries also require your biometrics.

You will also be allowed to make special arrangements if you suffer from a disability or condition, which will help you on the day of your test.

Your ID, a pencil or pen, and an eraser are the only items that you can keep on your desk for the course of the test.

In case you have questions or need to use the restroom, you can raise your hand to alert the invigilator. If your headset does not work during your listening exam, let the invigilator know as soon as possible.

Once you have completed your test, you will have to stay in your seat until the invigilator gives you permission to leave the room.

Additionally, if you experienced any problems during your test that may have hindered your performance on the test, you will have to raise a complaint within a week of the test date. You can fill a Test Day Incident Form.

Test Day

- Do your research on the test center before you book your IELTS test accordingly as students have complained about faulty headsets and computers.
- If you make a mistake during your spoken exam, pointing it out will not draw more attention to the mistake. The chances of the examiner noticing the error are high. Correcting the mistake will show the examiner that you are aware of it and can correct it yourself.
- While you can use a pen or pencil for your IELTS writing, using a pencil is always recommended for your IELTS writing, listening and reading sections, as you can always erase in case of a mistake. Don’t forget to carry an eraser.
- Do not wear a wristwatch to the exam.

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Earn high scores on the reading, writing, listening and speaking sections of the IELTS by reading about registration, costs, eligibility, and tips from experts.

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Get the full guide about the IELTS from the top advisors at Azent. Learn about the minimum score, preparation tips, eligibility, scope, etc. of the exam.

A Comprehensive Guide to writing IELTS (2020)

The International Language Testing System, which is commonly referred to as the IELTS, is perhaps the most widely accepted English language proficiency test in the world. This test is necessary for students hoping to pursue their higher education in English speaking countries.

There are two types of exams that IELTS provides. The IELTS Academic test is aimed at prospective candidates hoping to pursue their higher education at an international institution. The IELTS General Training test is best suited for individuals looking to work in an English-speaking country or gain work experience or professional training.

You can either sign up for the IELTS online or register by post. To begin, you have to choose your test center. Once you have done this, you will be directed to a page where you can register and pay for your IELTS test.

How to Register for IELTS?

To take the IELTS exam (academic and general training), you will have to pay a fee of Rs. 14,000 for the pen and paper-based test as well as the computer-delivered test. If you are writing the IELTS for UK visas and immigration, you will have to pay a fee of Rs. 15,050.

The listening, reading and writing test is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The listening section is 30 minutes long. The reading section, which is 60 minutes long, requires you to read three passages and answer 40 questions pertaining to the passages.

The four sections of the IELTS are scored on bands of 9, and the average score of these is considered the final result. The score you earn will be between 0 and 9 and includes half bands (.5) as well. Hence, the highest possible score you can earn is 9, while the lowest possible score is 0. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers, so answering every question is advisable.

How is IELTS scored?

The IELTS scores will be delivered within 13 days of giving the test. The results will be available to view for 28 days.

When is IELTS results published?

Your IELTS results will be sent to 5 nominated universities or organizations, which you can select when you sign up for your IELTS. While your scores will be sent to these five organizations for free, you will have to pay a small administration fee to send your scores to additional organizations.

How to send IELTS scores to universities?

Your IELTS scores are valid for three years.

How long is IELTS valid?

If you wish to postpone or cancel your IELTS test, you will have to do so at least five weeks before your scheduled test date. You can do this in person or via email. If you do not do this within five weeks, you will not receive a refund.