IELTS - Need to know information

There are two versions of the IELTS:

• Academic Version
  The Academic Version is planned for those who want to register in universities and other institutions of higher education and for professionals such as medical doctors and nurses who want to study or practice in an English-speaking country.
• All candidates must complete four Modules:
  1. Listening
  2. Reading
  3. Writing
  4. Speaking
  
  1. Listening
     This module consists of four sections and each has 10 questions. Candidates will be given question paper consisting of variety of questions including: multiple choice, short answer questions, and sentence completion, summary, labeling a map/diagram/plan, matching etc. Candidates will hear the recording once only and answer the questions as they listen. Ten minutes are allowed at the end of recordings.
  2. Reading
     There are two types of reading modules one for Academic Version another for General Training Version, each has three sections with 40 questions. Candidates will be given three readings which may be taken from advertisements, leaflets, newspapers, books and magazines. The first section contains texts relevant to basic linguistic survival in English while the next sections are more difficult. Candidate has 20 minutes for completion of each section.
  3. Writing
     In each module candidates have 20 minutes for the task 1 and write 150 words and 40 minutes for task 2 which requires 250 words.
     Candidates will be given a diagram or some data (graphs, table or chart) in task 1 and they have to present the given information in their own words.
     In task 2 there is a point of view, argument or problem and candidates have to give their opinion with arguments and illustrations.
  4. Speaking
     This module consists of an oral interview between the candidate and an examiner. It takes 11 to 15 minutes. It has three parts, in first part candidate will introduce himself to the examiner and answer the general questions asked by examiner. It takes 4 to 5 minutes.
     In second part candidates have to talk on a particular topic for 2 to 3 minutes and he has one minute to prepare himself or make notes about the topic. Examiner can ask questions about the discussion. In third part examiner and candidate engage in a dialogue on an abstract issue which is linked to the topic of second part for 5 minutes.
     This module will assess whether candidates can communicate effectively in English. The assessment takes on fluency, consistency and grammatical accuracy.                                                                                                           The first three modules Listening, Reading and Writing (always in that order) are completed in one day, and in fact are taken with no break in between. The Speaking Module may be taken, at the discretion of the test centre, in the period seven days before or after the other Modules.

IELTS SPEAKING - STRUCTURE

Part	Time	Category
1	4-5 minutes	Introduction & Interview on Familiar Topics
2	3-4 minutes	Individual Long Turn  or Extended Speaking or Monologue
3	4-5 minutes	Two-Way Discussion  or Topic Discussion

IELTS READING - TASKS 
There are 10-11 types of questions on both the Academic or General Reading Module:

• Multiple choice
• Multiple matching
• Short-answer
• Sentence completion
• Tables, diagrams, flow charts
• Summary completion
• Paragraph headings
• Locating information
• Identifying writer's views or claims
• Classification
• Matching
• 
  
• IELTS READING - TIME 

• Remember that you have three reading passages and forty questions to answer in only one hour. Also, the three passages become increasingly more difficult. Divide your time into three 20 minute segments, or as suggested below:
  • 17 minutes on section 1
  • 20 minutes on section 2
  • 23 minutes on section 3
  • IELTS READING - SKILLS 
    To do well in the IELTS reading test, you need global as well as macro reading skills. This means you should to be able to do the following:
  • grasp the big picture as well as the minor points.
  • distinguish facts from opinions and attitudes
  • identify the overall purpose of the passage
  • follow the main arguments in a written text
  • locate specific details and relevant information
  • summarize the key points
  • represent written information in graphic form
  • infer meaning
  • use accurate spelling and correct grammar
  • Writing

  • 	General	Academic
    Task 1	Minimum 150 words Writing a letter in response to a situation – informal, semi-formal, or formal	Minimum 150 words Interpreting, describing, or comparing information presented in graphic form - a diagram, bar chart, line graph, pie chart or table
    Task 2	Minimum 250 words Writing a more personal essay – possible informal style	Minimum 250 words Writing an essay on a general academic topic – formal style

    
    In both cases, your score is based on three fundamental criteria:
    • Content: How well do you r present your arguments, ideas and evidence?
    • Quality: How effectively are you able to communicate your ideas and thoughts?
    • Technical Aspects: How correct is your grammar? How rich is your vocabulary? How varied are your sentences?
    • To complete an organized, coherent piece of writing, you need to take 2-5 minutes to plan. During this time, you can consider what position you will adopt, how you're going to expand on the topic and in what order you will present your ideas. You should skip the planning activity only if you have very little time left. In such a case, you can work directly on the task itself.
      Of course, grammar and vocabulary will also be assessed. Make sure you check your writing for verb tense agreement, prepositions, word order, sentence patterns, sentence structure, and range of vocabulary. Avoid using the same verbs, nouns, or adjectives more than once. Do not use slang at all. In the academic section of the IELTS, avoid contractions, which are a clear symbol of informal writing.