Why the IELTS Exam Is Important for International Students

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The International English Language Testing System - IELTS is an international standardized test for non-native speakers of English. It measures how well you speak, understand, read, write, listen, and use grammar in everyday situations.

What is the Purpose of the IELTS Test

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is an international standardised test for non-native speakers of English. It measures how well you speak, understand and write in English.

What is the Structure of the IELTS Exam

The IELTS exam has four sections –

Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking. Each section contains between 5 and 9 tasks. You will need to complete each task within a certain time limit. There is no penalty for taking too much time on any task.

How are IELTS Scores Determined? A Short Synopsis

Overall Band Scores and Sectional Band Scores are the two types of IELTS scores. Overall Band Score is the mean of all sectional band scores. Individuals are awarded a score between 0 and 9 for both overall and sectional performance. Always round overall band scores to the next half or whole band. For instance, the mean of 6.25 will be rounded to 6.5. Half results such as 6.5 are possible for band scores. To break it down further, you will receive a "raw score" for each test by converting the number of correct responses into band scores. The overall score, also known as the "composite" score, is the average of your individual IELTS scores and is intended to represent your English proficiency as a whole. For example, if you received band scores of 3.5 on the listening test, 4.5 on the reading test, 6 on the writing test, and 6.5 on the speaking test, the average would be 5.125. After rounding, your overall IELTS band score is 5.0.

In addition to defining the level of performance for each band score, the IELTS provides band score descriptions in the table below.

Definitions of Each IELTS Band Score:

IELTS Band Score	Skill Level
9	Expert
8	Very good
7	Good
6	Competent
5	Modest
4	Limited
3	Extremely Limited
2	Intermittent
1	Did Not Attempt the Test

What is the Difference Between Academic and General Training Tests

The academic test is designed to measure how well students understand academic concepts and skills. This includes vocabulary, grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and reading comprehension. The general training test measures how well students communicate with others in everyday situations. This includes listening, speaking, writing, and nonverbal communication.

Is it easy to get 7.5 in IELTS

Getting a high IELTS score is not difficult. You can achieve a good IELTS score by using the following advice:

Make it a practise to read magazines and newspapers, which will expose you to proofreading. Reading is a difficult exercise that requires comprehension and understanding in order to become acclimated to the habit of reading.
Try to identify the supporting skills required for each skill. For example, when working on your speaking, focus on your intonation, pronunciation, fluency, grammar, coherence, and sequence. For writing, pay attention to links, spellings, written discourse, and understandability. Concentration, comprehensibility, and the capacity to differentiate what is important from what is not are all requirements for reading.
Listen to English-language interviews with foreign accents and develop a predisposition to understand what is pertinent to the question. In other words, get used to the language and tone of the country.
Use a good grammar book to help you practise writing. Simply become accustomed to the -tenses, articles, punctuation, pronunciation, etc.

You can acquire a high IELTS score by taking a few good practise tests and following the right instructions.

When Should You Take the IELTS Test

If you plan to study abroad, take the test before you leave home. If you plan to apply for an international job, take the test before applying. If you plan to attend university overseas, take the test before enrolling.

Conclusion

IELTS is a crucial exam for those who wish to study abroad, particularly in universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Students must achieve an ideal score of at least 7 on both the overall band score and sectional band score in order to increase their chances of admission to a foreign university of their choosing. As can be inferred from the preceding tables, however, a small but significant percentage of individuals (10 to 16 percent) achieve a score above the 6.5 band score. This implies that although scoring above 6.5 on the test is a difficult task, it is possible to achieve a high score with consistent and methodical preparation. Once you have a clear understanding of the IELTS scoring mechanism, IELTS criteria for various universities, IELTS test patterns, and the aforementioned section-by-section preparation tips and tricks, it will be easier for you to navigate this exam and earn a respectable score. Book your IELTS exam now, mark the test date on your calendar, and begin intensive preparations!

You can also read my other blog about Learn Language with the Most Effective Learning Methods