IELTS -- International English Language Testing System

 Description

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) assesses the ability to communicate in English. It is designed for people who need to study or work in an English speaking environment. It is recognised by over 4700 educational institutions, professional organisations and government agencies worldwide, especially in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and, increasingly, the US. It is a requirement for migration to Canada and Australia.

Who administers IELTS?

IELTS is managed jointly by Cambridge ESOL, the British Council and IDP:IELTS Australia.
Where can my students take IELTS?
IELTS can be taken at approximately 300 centres in 120 countries. The number of people who take IELTS every year currently stands at more than 700,000.

How is IELTS structured?

IELTS is offered in two different formats. The Academic Module is designed for people intending to study at English speaking universities and colleges. The General Training Module is designed for immigration purposes, and for people intending to undertake non-academic training or work experience.

IELTS tests all four language skills. Listening and Speaking are the same for all test takers, but Reading and Writing are different for the Academic and General Training Modules.

Listening (30 minutes, 4 sections, 40 questions)

The Listening Module consists of a number of monologues and conversations, first in a social context, and then an educational or training context. The monologues and conversations increase in difficulty as the test progresses and include a variety of accents and dialogues. Question types include multiple choice, short/answer, sentence completion, notes/summary/diagram/flow-chart/table completion, labelling a diagram, classification and matching.

Reading (60 minutes, 40 questions)

The Reading module consists of three passages with a total of between 200 and 2750 words. Question types include multiple choice, short answer, sentence completion, notes/summary/diagram/flow-chart/table completion, choosing headings, identifying views, claims or information, classification and maatching.

Texts for the Academic Reading Module are taken from non-specialist sources such as books, magazines and newspapers. Texts for the General Training Reading Module are taken from the types of source which test takers would be expected to encounter on a day-to-day basis, such as advertisements, instruction manuals, leaflets and timetables.

Writing (60 minutes, 2 tasks)

Task 1 is expected to take 20 minutes, task 2 is expected to take 40 minutes.

The Academic Writing Module consists of a 150 word report based on material in a table or diagram, and a 250 word essay in response to an opinion or problem. The General Training Writing Module consists of a 150 word letter asking for information or explaining a situation, and a 250 word essay in response to an opinion or problem.

Speaking (11-14 minutes)

The Speaking Module is a face to face interview, where test takers must answer short questions and speak about a familiar topic at length.

How is IELTS scored?

IELTS is scored on a Band Scale from 1-9 as shown below. Each Module is given a Band Score, and the four scores are then averaged to give an Overall Band Score.

9 - Expert User
8 - Very Good User
7 - Good User
6 - Competent User
5 - Modest User
4 - Limited User
3 - Extremely Limited User
2 - Intermittent User
1 - Non User
(0 - Did not attempt the test)

The IELTS handbook gives full descriptors of each band, including a guide to possible acceptable scores for different academic and training courses.

How long are IELTS scores valid?

The IELTS handbook recommends that scores are not accepted more than two years after the date of the test, unless test takers can prove that they have actively maintained their level of English proficiency.
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TOEFL

The basics of the TOEFL test:

 The TOEFL test (Test of English as a Foreign Language™) measures your ability to use and understand the English language as it’s read, written, heard and spoken in the university classroom. As the most accepted English-language test in the world, more than 7,000 universities, agencies, and other institutions in more than 130 countries accept the TOEFL test as part of their admissions criteria — including nearly every college and university in Australia and the UK.

The test, often referred to as the TOEFL iBT™ test, is administered at more than 4,500 test sites around the world. A paper-based version of the test is available in areas where TOEFL iBT testing is not possible.

In order for the TOEFL iBT to measure how well you read, listen, speak and write in English, and how well you use these skills together, you’ll be asked to integrate these skills for the test. For example, you may read a passage or listen to a lecture, and then write or speak about what you learned.

The TOEFL test measures your ability to integrate the four English skills you need in an academic setting, making it the most comprehensive academic English test available.

The TOEFL iBT sections:

 The test is given in English, has 4 sections (reading, listening, speaking and writing), and takes about 4½ hours. Taking notes is allowed during the TOEFL iBT; your notes will be collected after the test.

To see sample questions or tasks for each section of the TOEFL test.

Cost of the test:

 The cost depends on the test location you choose. To give you an idea, the cost ranges from US$150 to US$225. For information on registration fees, locations, test dates and test formats, select your test location.

Where and when to take the TOEFL test:

The TOEFL test is offered in more locations around the world than any other English-language test, making it easier for you to find a convenient location.

The TOEFL iBT™ is given 30-40 times a year, at thousands of secure, Internet-based test sites around the globe.

The TOEFL Paper-based Test (or TOEFL PBT) is offered in areas where the TOEFL iBT is not available, and is given 6 times a year. You can register online or by mail.

Registering for the TOEFL test:

Registration is available 3-4 months before the test date, but register early to reserve your seat.

Registering online is the easiest method, giving you access to over 4,500 test sites in over 165 countries.

A few things to keep in mind when registering:

* Have your identification on hand, because your name must be entered exactly as it appears on the identification you will bring with you on test day.

* Have your credit/debit card, electronic check, or TOEFL voucher for payment.

* Know the names of up to four institutions you want to receive your scores.

* Know the test dates and locations where you want to test.

Rescheduling or canceling your registration:

If you need to reschedule or cancel your registration, you can do so up to three full days before your test date (not including the day of the test or the day of your request). That means if your test is on Saturday, you must reschedule or cancel by Tuesday.

To reschedule online or by phone, you must provide your registration number, and the full name you used to register. The fee to reschedule is US$60, and must be paid before you can reschedule.

If you cancel by the 3-day deadline, you’ll receive a refund equivalent to half of the original test fee.

TOEFL test score requirements:

TOEFL test score requirements:

Rest assured, there’s no passing or failing score. Score requirements are established by individual colleges and universities; check your selected schools to learn their required TOEFL test scores.

You will receive a score on each section (a score of 0-30), and a total score for the entire test (0-120). To earn a score on the TOEFL test, you must do all of the following:

* Answer at least 1 question in the Reading section

* Answer at least 1 question in the Listening section

* Write at least 1 essay in the Writing section

* Finish at least 1 task in the Speaking section

How the test is scored:

The TOEFL test is scored using both automated computer scoring and human raters (highly trained professionals) to ensure unbiased and accurate results for all four TOEFL test sections.

And only the TOEFL test uses a network of multiple, rigorously-trained human raters to score the test anonymously, using a quality-control process that meets the highest standards of fairness and objectivity. No other English-language test uses these methods, which can prevent inconsistencies in scoring.

Why is this an advantage for you? It means your score is an accurate, comprehensive and trusted assessment of your English skills — for you and the universities considering you for admission.

Getting your scores:

Your scores will be posted online, usually within 2 weeks after the test date. They are also mailed to you and the universities or institutions you selected.

Included with your registration fees are:

* 1 print and 1 online score report for you.

* Up to 4 official score reports that ETS will send directly to the universities, institutions or agencies you select when you register; you can decide where to send them up to the day before you take the test.

You can send additional score reports to as many institutions as you choose, for a small fee.

How long scores are valid:

ETS will report scores for 2 years after your test date.

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