Understanding the IELTS Exam

What is it?

IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System. It is an exam designed to test proficiency of the exam taker in the English language.

Which countries require an IELTS certification?

IELTS is accepted as proof of proficiency for work, study and migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom as well as in the United States of America.

Which Exam should I take?

The IELTS exam are of two types - those that have the General Training Section and the Academic section. The General Training test is a measure of English proficiency in general and everyday situations. The exam is designed to test responses in workplace as well as a standard testing system for proficiency. The academic exam focuses more on analysis of data, discursive and opinion based task to test the understanding of the test taker in an academic context.

GENERAL TEST

The exam consists of four sections -

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Reading, writing and listening are scheduled on the same day while the speaking exam is scheduled for another day.The Test taker is required to retain his/her exam ticket till both tests (reading/writing/listening and speaking) are complete.

Reading (60 mins)

The reading section generally has three parts to it.

1.Two or three short paragraphs of text followed by questions(multiple choice, fill in the blanks, true or false)

2.Two short, generally employment or work related paragraphs followed by questions(match titles to labelled paragraphs, fill in the blanks)

3.A large paragraph followed by questions based on the paragraph. (Objective questions - Match the following, fill in the blanks)

Writing(60 mins)

This section has two questions.

1.Letter writing (a minimum of 150 words)

This task requires the test taker to write a formal letter. The question outlines two or three points that the test taker must elaborate in detail while writing the letter.

2.Essay( a minimum of 250 words)

This section could be of the descriptive, narrative or opinion-based variety. A topic and two or three points are provided to the exam taker, and he or she must elaborate.

Listening(30 mins + 10 mins)

The listening section contains four recorded monologues spread across 30 minutes. Test takers are given about five minutes between recordings to jot down the answers. The questions are of the objective variety ( fill in the blanks, multiple choice). Exam takers are given an additional 10 minutes to transfer their answers to the answer sheet.

Speaking(11-15 mins)

The speaking exam is scheduled on a different day. The exam taker is required to answer various questions relating to general affairs and specific topics set by the examiner. The examiner leads the speakers through a series of questions that test fluency, vocabulary and confidence. Test takers also get time to organize their thoughts before answering questions. Most questions are of the narrative or opinion variety.

ACADEMIC TEST

The exam consists of four sections -

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Reading, writing and listening are scheduled on the same day

while the speaking exam is scheduled for another day. The Test

taker is required to retain his/her exam ticket till both tests

(reading/writing/listening and speaking) are complete.

Reading (60 mins)

The reading section generally has three parts to it.

1.Graphs, descriptive and discursive text followed by analytical questions of the objective variety(multiple choice, fill in the blanks, true or false)

2.Diagram-based text, bar and pie charts or other illustrationfollowed by factual text and analytical or reasoning questions.

3.A long paragraph accompanied by graphs or statistics followed by objective questions based on the paragraph.

Writing(60 mins)

This section has two questions.

1.Data interpretation (a minimum of 150 words)

This task requires the test taker to interpret a graph, table, chart orstatistic and present a summary or opinion with justification.

2.Essay( a minimum of 250 words)

This section could be of the narrative or opinion-based variety. Atopic and two or three points are provided to the exam taker, andhe or she must elaborate.

Listening(30 mins + 10 mins)

The listening section contains four recorded monologues spreadacross 30 minutes. Test takers are given about five minutes between recordings to jot down the answers. The questions are of the objective variety ( fill in the blanks, multiple choice). Exam takers are given an additional 10 minutes to transfer their answers to the answer sheet.

Speaking(11-15 mins)

The speaking exam is scheduled on a different day. The exam taker is required to answer various questions relating to general affairs and specific topics set by the examiner. The examiner leads the speaker through a series of questions that test fluency, vocabulary and confidence. Test takers also get time to organize their thoughts before answering questions. Most questions are of the narrative or opinion variety.

The English Cube

4.9

Based on 18 reviews

review us on

Sulekha Deshmukh

08:32 11 Mar 20

I'm very satisfied at joining this institute. My trainer Ms Angelicka Shankar takes great pains at making me understand... grammar and all concepts. Her technique and style of teaching is unique. She explains each small detail. Her way of teaching pronunciation is extremely helpful.read more

Rihana Antapur

04:32 11 Nov 19

Thanks to "The English cube" for great experience on the courses of basic english speaking. All instructors are really... good especially Angelika Shankar and Swetha.Thanks again.read more

Mohammed Taha

09:40 18 Aug 19

I studied my beginner level English with trainer Angelicka Shankar. I was extremely clear about concepts with her... teaching. I then took Intermediate level also. My classes with my trainer were very interesting, interactive. Would always look forward to studying with her. Thanksread more

Roopa Thirumalai

15:50 21 Jul 19

Competency and fluency in the English language is a challenge for many. The working world looks for these important... skill sets while recruiting and also most people long to have it simply to scale up the ladder! If you are one of those, choose to do a course with The English Cube. You will surely find the learning experience interesting and fulfilling.As one of the trainers with The English Cube, I would like to say that we create blended learning experiences that help you to learn and use the language skills in your chosen field more effectively and appropriately! Join us to explore the interesting intricacies of the English language!!!read more

CHANDRAMANI KUMAR

07:21 12 Jul 19

This is the best place to learn English and make your English better. Teachers are very helpful and understanding.They... teach us very politely and make it us clear. All are fully professional including staffs.I highly recommend this institute to everyone.read more

Bhavya Manohar

11:13 13 Jun 19

Impressed with the quality offered by them. If you are interested in learning from the real people who make English... learning a fun and generate interest for it in you, this is the right place. The quality of the materials, qualification of the instructors, infrastructure, audio visual classrooms are something which make this center one of the best. I joined my upper intermediate level here which is helping me in my professional life and career.read more

Balajee Subramanyam

07:24 09 Jun 19

The English Cube is a very professionally managed institution for English language. Tutors are highly qualified and... committed to their work. I liked the syllabus and their focus on communicative methodology which enables to make a person speak the language from the first day of the class. I recommend this institute to the people who are looking to learn English for interview, job, business and professional purposes.read more

Richa Kumar

02:37 26 Apr 19

I did my basic and intermediate levels here. Good teachers and admin staff who helped me learn and practice... conversation. I will come back for my next level.Thank you the English Cuberead more

Venkatesh Krishnappa

07:41 08 Apr 19

I started leaning English with this institute when I was looking for a job. I must thank the institute that I became... confident not only in my English and general communication skills but also I learnt about the etiquette, soft skills and how to be presentable in meetings, conferences and public programs. The material, training and audio-visual sessions and the classroom atmosphere made me very comfortable and now I am able to speak English well. Thanks to my trainers, I definitely recommend it to any one who wants to learn English for professional purposes.read more

sari0007 sharma

08:54 30 Jan 19

Hi, before joining this job, I was searching a job. I didn’t get a job because I had lack of communication issues in... English. Once I joined & learned communication from you, after that I used my communication skills in the interviews. I got a job. I believed myself because of that I joined your classes. Now I am filled with sound vocabularies, Grammar, Email ethics, corporate ethics & Etiquette, able to give well formed group discussion, pronunciation and so on. She has immense knowledge on all the topics. Now I have Everest confidence to survive in this competitive world. I would recommend this course to people who have lack of confidence and who want to make an impression by communicating well and move up the corporate ladder. I am thankful to Shweta and recommend her classes to everyone, who is looking for all-round development in their personality and communication skills. Thanksread more

Manjunath Sheshadri

12:21 09 Jan 19

A good place to learn English for professional and academic purposes. Thanks to the qualified teachers who make English... learning easy and fun.read more

Next Reviews

4.6

Based on 8 reviews

Samridhi Khanna

08:02 01 Oct 19

Competent staff, learning atmosphere and provides a great opportunity to learn a language.

Nikita Mehta

04:37 03 Sep 19

Subrata Deb

22:13 02 Sep 19

Nice place to learn language

Vishwajeet Kumar

07:57 02 Sep 19

It is good institute for spoken english

abhinav kumar

07:52 02 Sep 19

Priyadarshi Deepak

02:57 05 Jul 19

Good institute to improve your English (Spoken, Written).

vatsalavani dr

06:49 02 Jul 19

It's a good institute which helped me to improve my English.

THE ENGLISH CUBE

4.8

Sandhya Roy

06:28 03 Jul 19

Satisfied

PRADIP KUMAR MONDAL

08:00 20 Jun 19

Institute is very good. Cooperative teacher.

Ishita Mallik

08:54 15 Jun 19

One of the best institute for learning English. The teachers are very helpful. The study materials are also very high... stander. I have really learned a lot .read more

Riya Chatterjee

07:03 09 Jun 19

Pushkar Shankar

18:28 27 May 19

Good institute for developing your language skills.

Sanskriti Saha

12:02 27 May 19

Excellent institute for English and personality development.

PR Singh

05:59 10 Apr 19

PRADIPTA MITRA

00:02 09 Apr 19