6 Things To Know About IELTS Exam

The International English language Testing System, or more commonly known IELTS, is a reputed standardized test aimed at evaluating proficiency in English language among non-native speakers. Presently, it is one of the two such prominent tests, the other one being the Test Of English as a Foreign Language (also called TOEFL).

With the help of the test scores obtained, you can get admissions in thousands of foreign colleges, and other institutions. However, while it seems like a simple test based on English language, it sure has lots of things about itself which many people do not know.

Also read: 5 Tips For Scoring Amazing TOEFL Scores.

In case you are interested in giving IELTS, then you should stick with me because I will provide a few facts about this exam which will give you a better perspective about it. So, let us take a look at 6 of such facts:

1. No Minimum Score:
   Yes, you read it right. IELTS does not stipulate the requirement of any minimum score for test-takers.
   What it does is evaluate candidates on a band. There are total 9 bands, with band 1 indicating non-user and band 9 indicating the highest scores (equivalent to expert level). Interestingly, there exists a band 0 apart from the aforesaid: the said band refers to those who did not attempt the test i.e. the candidate did not answer any questions in the test.
2. Band 9 is achievable by non-native speaker:
   There is a common misconception about who can and who cannot achieve band 9. Since band 9 refers to the expert level, many believe that only native English speakers can score it. This is not true!
   Band 9 indicates that candidate has showcased full fluency in the production and comprehension of English language. This does not mean only native English speakers can be fluent; in fact, I have known many native speakers making basic grammatical mistakes so it is not just about whether English is your native language.
   You need to be hardworking and persistent. Practice as much as you can for the test—and this is the magic formulae which also apply to native speakers taking the test.
3. Many Taker
   IELTS is arguably the biggest test on English language proficiency. It is organized in about 140 countries across the globe. In the year 2018, as many as 3.5 million tests were successfully conducted. The rise in popularity is obvious, considering that in 2017 the numbers stood at approximately 3 million.
   IELTS also holds the crown for having conducted the largest number of tests in a single year in 2009.
4. Two Aspects of IELTS
   IELTS has two aspects, namely IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
   The former is conducted, evidently, for the purpose of testing English language proficiency of test takers for the purpose of studying in higher education institutes having English as a mode of instruction as well as securing professional registration.
   The latter, on the other side, is for those individuals who wish to migrate to an English-speaking country for various purposes, barring those mentioned in the former aspect, such as training, working or studying in school.
   The conducting body ensures that these two are handled with the utmost care and attention and hence, you will notice marked differences between the tests for these two.
5. Who Conducts IELTS?
   Of course, you should know who behind the success of the IELTS are. It is designed and managed by a powerful trio comprising the Cambridge University, IDP Education, and British Council.
   Cambridge University, of course, needs no introduction as I assume you are already aware of the prestige this institution enjoys. You should, however, certainly know about the other two administrators.
   The British Council is a charitable organization in the United Kingdom which works in the areas relating to culture and education. It is governed by a Royal charter. On the other side, IDP Education is an educational organization aimed at providing student placement in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, and Canada.
6. Where IELTS works?
   IELTS works predominately in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. There are, however, many universities in the United States which consider and accept IELTS score for the purpose of admissions.

It is to be noted that the scores obtained in IELTS are approved scores for the purpose of migration to Australia and the United Kingdom.

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