IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

is an international English language examination valid for two years. About 1.4 million people choose this exam annually to test their knowledge in general or academic English and to continue their education and professional development at one of the six thousand world institutions that officially recognize the results of IELTS. The exam is administered by three world educational organizations: the British Council, IDP, IELTS Australia, and Cambridge University. IELTS consists of two modules:

♦ Academic – this module is for people who would like to apply for a bachelor’s or master’s program at an international university.

♦ General – this module is for people who would like to work in a country where the official language is English (Australia, UK, New Zealand, Canada, USA).

The exam checks the candidates’ skills in the four language areas – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The parts of the Reading and Listening skills are the same for all applicants, and the parts for Writing and Reading differ depending on whether it is the Academic or General Module of the Exam. The exam lasts about 2 hours 45 minutes.

IELTS - EXAM COMPONENTS

The IELTS consists of a written and oral part, the entire exam lasts less than three hours. The written part, which includes the Listening, Reading, and Writing components, is held in one day. The Speaking component can be held the same day after a short break or one/two weeks before/after the writing.

Listening

The duration of this component is 30 minutes during which applicants need to answer 40 questions divided into four thematic parts. Texts are only listened once, taking notes during the recordings is allowed.

The texts submitted in this part of the exam are monologues and conversations by native speakers. The test subjects should answer a series of thematically related questions. The aim is to test the students’ ability to understand basic ideas and detailed information facts, the ability to understand the opinion and moods of the speakers.

Reading

This component lasts 60 minutes. The section is divided into three parts, and the questions are 40. The duration and form of the two variants of the exam are the same, but the texts, themes, and style of the language differ. The academic module tests the ability to use the four skills adequately and to apply them freely in the academic environment, while the general module requires more knowledge in the general social aspect of communication, the ability to cope with template phrases in the professional environment or in ordinary life communicative situations.

With IELTS Academic, candidates have to read excerpts of authentic scientific materials (book, magazine, and newspaper) written at an academic level.

Writing

This component lasts 60 minutes. The section is divided into three parts, and the questions you will answer are 40. The duration and form of the two variants of the exam are the same, but the texts, themes, and style of the language differ. The academic module tests the ability to use the four skills adequately and apply them freely in the academic environment, while the general module requires more knowledge in the general social aspect of communication, the ability to cope with template phrases in the professional environment or in ordinary life communicative situations.

During the IELTS General Training exam, candidates are required to read an excerpt from a book, magazine, newspaper, advertisement, message, instruction, etc. These are materials common in everyday life.
This component takes 60 minutes and consists of two mandatory tasks. The first is to answer a given problem by writing a letter or a similar format. The time to complete this task is about 20 minutes. The second task is to present an essay for which you have the remaining 40 minutes.

During the IELTS General Training exam, the first task is writing a letter asking for some information or explaining a specific situation. The second task is writing an essay in response to a problem or point of view.

In IELTS Academic, the first task is a graph, a table, or a chart that needs to be analytically described by the candidate. The second task is to write an essay in a formal style.

Speaking

The last component – Speaking lasts between 11 and 14 minutes and includes three parts.

In the first part, candidates answer general questions related to family, work and interests or hobbies. The duration is 4-5 minutes.

In the second part, applicants have to talk on a particular topic for 2 minutes, after which the examiner asks thematic questions.

The third part takes 4-5 minutes, during which a discussion based on the topic from the previous part is taking place.

Signing up for IELTS

Language Center Astoria Group helps candidates to complete the application form completely free of charge. We will give you detailed information on the application procedure for an exam, terms and possible ways of registering for the IELTS exam.

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IELTS Preparation Course

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IELTS – Academic or General

IELTS - EXAM COMPONENTS

Listening

Reading

Writing

Speaking