IELTS Full Form & Complete Guide for Study Abroad Students
The IELTS full form is the International English Language Testing System, which enables candidates to assess their skills through various sections. Across the world, this test is recognized by more than 12,000 organizations, including universities, employers, and immigration authorities. Mostly, students who want to begin their study journey in English-speaking countries appear for the IELTS. This exam bridges the gap of language deficiency and helps learners achieve mastery of it.
However, you should also know what the format is and how it works. In this guide, we are going to inform you of all the essential things. Read on!
What Is IELTS Exam Format & How Does It Work?
Till now, you are clear with the IELTS full form and why candidates take it. This test is segmented into four major sections, which are: Listening, Reading, Writing, & Speaking. For each of these, there is a separate duration, question types, format, and marking system. To know how IELTS is conducted, first go through the table, then read the details.
| Paper | Content | Time |
| Listening | 40 questions | Approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes’ transfer time for the paper-based test) |
| Reading | 40 questions | 60 minutes |
| Writing | 2 tasks | 60 minutes |
| Speaking | 3 parts | 11–14 minutes |
Listening Section
In the IELTS listening section, students need to complete four stages. There will be four recording tests in which you need to listen to them and solve a particular type of task. Remember, every time you complete one part, the next one is going to become difficult. Besides, the audio you listen to is not going to be played again, so all your focus must be on the speaker’s voice and what he/she is saying.
Reading
The reading test in the IELTS exam is one of the major sections where you have to complete all three parts of the passages. In this test, the candidate will get three reading passages that range from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical. Mostly, these passages are taken from books, journals, newspapers, and magazines. You have to complete one part in 20 minutes and solve a variety of tasks, including multiple choice, map/diagram labeling, matching, form/list/table/sentence completion, short answer type, and so on.
Writing
This is the 60 minutes long test where you have to complete two major tasks. In question 1, you will be asked to write at least 150 words of content after understanding a graph, table, chart, or diagram. You need to describe and summarize whatever you are presented with in your own words. On the other hand, in task 2, you have to complete an essay for up to 250 words after viewing an argument or problem.
Speaking
The speaking part in the IELTS exam is conducted with a certified examiner. You have to complete three major parts in this, where in the first part, you introduce yourself, and the examiner asks you some general details about your home, family, studies, and hobbies. In the second part, the instructor will give you a cue card containing a topic, and you have to speak on it for about 1 to 2 minutes. Again, in the third part, the examiner will ask you some follow-up questions based on the cue card.
Who Can Apply for the IELTS Exam?
Anyone 16 years or older, with a basic understanding of English, can apply for the IELTS test. If they want to study, work, or migrate to an English-speaking country, they can enrol for it. Besides, there is no special qualification needed to take the test, though different institutions have their own requirements.
If you are among those who want to study in the UK, USA, Australia, Germany, or another country, you need to pass this exam.
Top Countries Where IELTS Scores Are Accepted
Across the world, many universities and organizations accept the IELTS scores. In the following table, we have provided you with a list of countries along with the average IELTS band scores required to get admission. Read further!
| Country Name | Approx Band Score |
| Germany | 7.4 |
| Canada | 6.9 |
| France | 6.7 |
| China | 5.8 |
| Cambodia | 5.8 |
| Brazil | 6.7 |
| Greece | 7.0 |
| Colombia | 6.5 |
| Egypt | 6.4 |
| Korea | 6.0 |
| Indonesia | 6.5 |
| Japan | 5.8 |
| Jordan | 6.2 |
| Hong Kong | 6.6 |
| Italy | 6.8 |
| Kuwait | 5.5 |
| Oman | 5.2 |
| Mexico | 6.5 |
| Malaysia | 6.9 |
| Nigeria | 6.8 |
| Nepal | 5.9 |
| Philippines | 6.8 |
| Russia | 6.7 |
| Saudi Arabia | 5.4 |
| Qatar | 5.4 |
| Spain | 6.9 |
| Sri Lanka | 6.3 |
| Taiwan | 6.1 |
| Turkey | 6.3 |
| Thailand | 6.0 |
| United Arab Emirates | 5.1 |
| Ukraine | 6.5 |
| Vietnam | 6.1 |
How to Develop Skills in IELTS?
To develop your skills, you can use the IELTS practice test and give enough time to each section equally. You should immerse yourself in English daily by reading, listening to diverse materials like podcasts and news, and practicing with official tests. Apart from this, here are some other tips for you to master each section of the exam.
- For Listening Section
- Expose yourself to different accents and styles of English by listening to the news and podcasts.
- Practice taking notes and comparing them to a script to identify misunderstandings.
- Follow the audio while reading the text to connect pronunciation and keywords.
- Be aware that listening passages and questions often use synonyms.
- For Speaking Section
- Find opportunities to speak English with friends or native speakers.
- Expand on your answers to demonstrate your vocabulary and conversational skills.
- Prepare yourself for common speaking topics such as travel, education, and the environment.
- Record your speaking to identify and correct mistakes in pronunciation, fluency, and grammar.
- For Reading Section
- Develop your vocabulary by reading widely from magazines, newspapers, and blogs.
- Do practice tests under timed conditions to improve your speed and stamina.
- Develop the skill of skimming for general understanding and scanning to locate specific information.
- Be aware of how paraphrasing is used in the reading section and learn to identify synonyms in questions.
- For Writing Section
- Know how your writing will be graded to understand what examiners are looking for.
- Show off your range of vocabulary and use synonyms to avoid repetition.
- Use a mix of complex and simple sentence structures to make your writing sound natural.
- Pay attention to correct punctuation to enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing.
Conclusion
From the IELTS full form to the format, now you are aware of everything you must know from this article. There are several benefits of taking the exam, which is why many learners across the world choose it. After appearing for the test, you can get enroll in the top institutions you want to continue your further studies, such as Oxford, Stanford, Sunderland, MIT, Cambridge, etc. If you want to improve your score, you can join offline or online IELTS coaching from Gradding.com and get a chance to practice under a professional’s guidance with access to a variety of study materials.
