Demystifying IELTS: What It Is and How to Prepare

Are you considering studying in the UK? If so, you've likely come across the term “IELTS'' before, and are wondering what it is. IELTS (or International English Language Testing System), is a language test administered by the British Council to measure your English proficiency. While this might sound scary, we are here to explain exactly what to expect, how to prepare, and help you succeed.  

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Which IELTS Exam Will I Take? 

There are two different IELTS exams, both of which test your proficiency, but are used for different purposes. The Academic exam is tailored for individuals applying to university, either for undergraduate or postgraduate degrees, while the General Training exam is used primarily by those looking at applying for jobs, training programs, or visas. It is likely you will be taking the Academic exam.  

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What Will I Do During the Exam? 

The IELTS Academic exam consists of four papers, each weighted equally, and each testing a different area of your language skills.  

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1. Listening: This paper tests your ability to understand spoken English. You will listen to three recordings about daily life, leisure, or university life, and answer a series of questions. 
2. Reading: In this paper, you will be asked to read three different texts, and answer questions related to the texts. You will have two general texts, such as from a newspaper or magazine, and one academic text. 
3. Writing: There are two writing tasks in this paper. Task 1 will ask you to explain data or other visual information in your own words, while Task 2 is a short essay response to a question, usually asking you to explain your point of view, an argument, or a problem. 
4. Speaking: The last paper of the exam is an interview with an examiner. The interview is broken up into three sections: an introduction conversation, a long turn where you speak about an assigned topic for 2 minutes, and a final discussion.  

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How Does the Exam work? 

The IELTS Academic exam is run in test centers around the world, sometimes online, and follows strict rules and regulations to ensure fairness. Generally, you will register for a specific date, and will be asked to bring ID to the testing facility. The exam takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete. 

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The exam marks each paper on a scale from 1-9, and averages these scores to make an overall band score, with each band representing a different level of English proficiency. Here is a quick rundown of what each band level represents, as described by the British Council:

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The school or institution you apply to will see this score, and match it against their own individual score requirements. Generally, universities will require a higher score to be accepted into their programmes.   

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How Can I Prepare? 

In order to effectively prepare for the IELTS exam, you should aim to develop a study plan and begin your revision early on. Don’t wait until the last minute! Start by familiarizing yourself with each of the individual sections of the exam (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) and the specific skills each paper is grading. You can practice for each of these sections using official IELTS materials, or by reaching out to us for support through tailored revision, as well as practice in the areas you need to improve. 

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You can also support your revision by focusing on improving your English skills. Try listening to English podcasts, TV shows, and reading newspapers and magazines to familiarize yourself with the language and to build a bank of new vocabulary. 

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If you are planning on going to a UK or US university as an international student, it is likely that you’ll be taking the IELTS exam. By understanding the different sections, how you will be graded, and what your strengths and weaknesses are, you can practice appropriately and maximize your chances of success on the exam. 

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