Nervous about taking an IELTS test? Or feeling unsure about your understanding of the test?
Here is a quick guide to help you discern all things IELTS that will help ease your IELTS test journey!
Before Your IELTS Test
There are many ways to practise for your IELTS test, and a lot of them are free! You can easily find free online classes which are an effective way to practise from previous modules and tests. There are also a good deal of videos online talking about others’ personal experiences and their tips for taking the test.
Make sure you are aware of the test format beforehand. The test is divided into 4 sections, and in total you will have approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete it. Listening will take around 30 minutes, reading 60 minutes, writing 60 minutes, and speaking 15 minutes.
What You Should Aim For
IELTS is measured in band scores ranging from 0 to 9. Each band score corresponds to a level of English-language competence. You will get a band score for each section of the test as well as an overall band score.
The overall band score is an average of your band scores for Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Band scores are rounded up to the nearest whole or half band scores. For instance, if you get a 7.25 in writing, then your band score for the writing section would be rounded up to 7.5 (the nearest half band).
In most cases, the English language requirement for UK universities is 6.0 (undergraduate) and 6.5 (postgraduate) for IELTS overall band score. However, keep in mind that every course may differ. Some courses may require some minimum requirements in specific sections such as writing and reading.
As every university has a different English language proficiency criteria for their entry requirements, please remember to check with the university of your choice regarding the necessary requirements.
When You Will Get Your Results
You will be able to choose between taking a paper-based test or a computer-based test. This decision will affect the time it takes to get the results. Computer-based test’s result is faster to arrive, taking 3-5 days from the test date, while paper based-test will take around 13 days.
The language centre will send out a Test Report Form (TRF) and a paper copy of your IELTS test score via mail delivery.
If you did not receive the score you were hoping for, you can apply for your test to be re-marked. This is called an Enquiry on Results (EOR) which incurs additional fees.
IELTS for Student Visas
When applying for a Student Visa you are required to prove your knowledge of English by passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT). IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (Academic) or IELTS for UKVI (Academic) is one of the SELT options that you can take if you want to pursue an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. IELTS for UKVI can only be taken at UKVI approved test centres. As for the IELTS test score needed, it would depend on the institution where you plan to study.
Contact our team if you would like some assistance in your UK University application process!
