Different Types of IELTS Test

Different Types of IELTS Test – Students planning to pursue higher education abroad are often confused about selecting the right kind of IELTS test that can meet their educational or job requirements. The following sections will provide a detailed overview of different types of IELTS tests to help them make an informed choice.

Introduced in 1989, IELTS is one of the most renowned and widely accepted standardised English language proficiency tests for non-native English speakers. It is accepted in more than 11,000+ educational institutions, organisations and government agencies.

Candidates looking to study or work in any country with English as the primary medium of communication have to appear for this test. The IELTS test is conducted jointly by the British Council, IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English in over 140 countries across 1,600+ test centres. More than 3 million test-takers appeared for IELTS in 2017.

IELTS offers different types of exams to meet the specific needs of test-takers. The two types of IELTS exams are the Academic and General Training exams. The Academic IELTS exam is intended for individuals who wish to pursue higher education, while the General Training IELTS exam is for those who are seeking employment or immigration opportunities in English-speaking countries.

In addition to these two main types, IELTS also offers other specialized exams such as the IELTS Life Skills, which is designed for those who need to prove their speaking and listening skills for immigration purposes. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the different types of IELTS tests and their respective purposes.

Different Types of IELTS Test

Depending on the purpose of moving abroad, candidates can appear for any of the following types of IELTS tests:

IELTS Academic test

This IELTS test is suitable for students who wish to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate courses in any of the English-speaking nations. This test aims to determine if a student is ready to take up higher studies in English.

IELTS General Training Test

The General Training test is ideal for those who wish to move to Canada, the UK, Australia or New Zealand for secondary education or employment. It focuses on assessing basic survival skills in a workplace environment. The format and question pattern is almost the same for both. Each of the tests consists of four sections: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.

Candidates can expect various types of questions like MCQs, sentence completion, essay writing, letter writing, identifying data, matching lists and more. Candidates can choose the test type depending on their plans and the institutions they are applying to. Apart from these, there are also other types of IELTS:

IELTS for UKVI

Those planning to move to the UK have to take an IELTS that is approved by the UK government for UK Visa and Immigration purposes. The format, content, scoring pattern and everything remain the same.

However, the IELTS for UKVI follows some specific protocols to ascertain the authenticity of the candidates. The IELTS tests for UKVI are divided into the following types: IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS for UKVI General Training and IELTS Life Skills (A1, A2, and B1). IELTS Life Skills are for those who are required to prove English listening and speaking skills for a UK Visa. Candidates can also appear for two types of IELTS based on the mode of examination. These are:

• Computer-based Test: Starting in 2017, the computer-based IELTS test requires students to answer the Reading, Listening and Writing section tasks through the computer. The test result is delivered within 5-7 days of the test.
• Paper-based Test: The paper-based IELTS comes with pencil and answer sheets. One has to deliver the task responses within the given time on the answer sheets. The Speaking section test usually takes place 7 days before or after the actual test date. It can take up to 13 days for the test results to be published.

IELTS Test Structure

The test pattern for the different types of IELTS like Academic and General Training is quite similar. Here is a tabular representation providing an overview of each of the test sections:

Scoring Pattern for IELTS

For the different types of IELTS, the score band is calculated simply by finding out the average score of all four sections. IELTS score ranges between 0 and 9. In case the average score band comes out in decimal, it passes to the nearest whole number. For instance, if the overall score of a candidate is 6.75, they would receive a final score of 7.

The score of IELTS is provided in a Test Report Form. While candidates can view their results online, they are eligible to receive one TRF. However, they can send their TRFs to up to five universities as part of the admission application. Students need to score the minimum IELTS score to be eligible for admission to an institution. The minimum IELTS score requirement varies across universities.

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FAQs on Different Types of IELTS Test

Q1. What is the eligibility for the IELTS test?

There are no specific eligibility criteria for IELTS examinations. Anyone can take the test regardless of gender, age, nationality, educational background, ethnicity or religion. However, it is not suitable for candidates below 16 years.

Q2. Can I appear for IELTS online from home?

The conducting bodies have introduced the IELTS Indicator test in the wake of the pandemic. With this test, one can sit for the test right from the convenience of their home. However, one needs to have the complete equipment set up asked by the administration.

Q3. How many times can I sit for the IELTS?

There is no restriction on the number of attempts one can make for the IELTS exam. You can take the test as many times until you reach the desired score band. But, you need to register and pay the charges each time you appear for it.

Q4. How long are the scores valid?

IELTS scores are valid for 2 years from the date of the test. After 2 years, the scores will no longer be valid.