IELTS Test Modules

IELTS is available in two modules: Academic and General Training.Academic module

 Research Purpose - Academic Module

Academic Select, if you intend to take further or higher education study abroad.

Assess whether the candidate is ready to study or train in the medium of English at undergraduate or postgraduate. Access to undergraduate and postgraduate courses should be based on the results of these modules.

General Training Module

 For business or Purpose Immigration - General Training Module

Choose general training if you plan to graduate from high school, receive no academic education, or emigrate to English speaking countries.

Emphasize basic survival skills in a broad social and educational context. General training modules are designed to test the full range of formal language skills required for academic purposes.

The Shape of the Test

Candidates are tested in listening, reading, writing and speaking. All candidates take the same listening and speaking modules. There is a choice between Academic and General Training Reading and Writing modules.

Listening Time: 40 minutes
 Candidates listen to a number of recorded texts, which increase in difficulty as the test progresses. They include a mixture of monologues and conversations and feature a variety of English accents and dialects.

The recording is heard only once, but candidates are given time to read the questions and record the answers.

Academic Reading Time: 60 minutes
 There are three reading passages with tasks.

Texts are taken from books, magazines, journals and newspapers, all written for the layman audience.At least one of the texts contains a detailed argument.

General Training Reading Time: 60 minutes
 The texts are based on the type of material candidates would be expected to occur on a daily basis in an English speaking country.

The texts are taken from sources such as newspapers, advertisements, manuals, books, and test the applicant's ability to understand and use information.

The test includes one longer text, which is descriptive rather than argue.

Academic Writing Time: 60 minutes
 For the first task, candidates write a report of at least 150 words based on the information illustrated in a table or chart, demonstrating their ability to describe and explain data.

For the second task, candidates write a short essay of at least 250 words in response to an opinion or a problem. They are expected to demonstrate the ability to discuss issues, build an argument and use appropriate tone and register

General training writing Time: 60 minutes
 The first task requires candidates to write or formal or informal letter of at least 150 words to ask for information or explanation of the situation.

The second task is a sketch of at least 250 words, and is written in response to a point or a fault. Candidates are expected to be able to present their own ideas and challenge other ideas, using appropriate tone and register.Speaking  Time: 11 - 14 minutes
 The test is in the form of face-to-face interview.

Applicants must demonstrate their ability to answer questions, to talk at length on familiar and interaction with the examiner.

Candidates are assessed on their vocabulary, grammar, fluency, pronunciation.