What is IELTS? General information you need to know about the IELTS exam

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the world's most popular English language test for work, study and migration. More than 10,000 organizations trust IELTS as a reliable indicator of real-life English communication. IELTS assesses the English language proficiency of test takers through 4 skills: Listening , Speaking , Reading , and Writing . Let DOL learn more about what IELTS is and all about IELTS through the article below!

1. What is IELTS?

Many people often hear about IELTS and mistakenly think this is an English learning program. So what exactly is IELTS ?

IELTS ( International English Language Testing System ) is an international English language testing system, founded by 3 organizations: ESOL of Cambridge University, British Council and educational organization IDP (Australia) in 1989.

Currently, IELTS is widely accepted in Australia, Canada, UK, USA, New Zealand and a few other countries.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a language proficiency test for people who want to study, work or settle in countries where English is their first language such as Australia and Canada. , New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States .

https://www.ielts.org/about-ielts/what-is-ielts

The following summary will give you an overview of the general information of the IELTS exam.

1. Official organizing unit

The British Council and IDP Education organize exams and award degrees.

2. Exam Type

(depending on the purpose and needs of use)

• IELTS General Training

• IELTS Academic

3. Structure of IELTS exam

4 skills 

4. Exam format

• Paper-based IELTS test (IELTS paper-based)

• Computer-based IELTS test (IELTS computer-based)

5. Exam time

About 3 hours

6. Score

Scale from 0 - 9.0

7. Exam fees

4,664,000 VND

8. Time value

2 years

Please refer to the book IELTS A - Z Handbook to better understand the IELTS certificate:

2. IELTS created by which organization?

In 1980, IELTS was created jointly by 3 organizations:

• British Council (British Council) : The UK's educational and cultural connection organization.

• IDP (IELTS Australia) : Part of IDP Education (International Development Program of Australian Universities and Colleges).

• Cambridge Assessment English : A division of Cambridge - An organization dedicated to creating tests for English learners.

3. What are the benefits of taking the IELTS test?

Most people will ask IELTS test questions for what? In general, studying and taking the IELTS test will bring the following 2 benefits:

• Short term benefits

• Long term benefits

For more details, let's continue reading the content below with DOL!

3.1 7 “immediate and always” benefits of studying and taking IELTS test

• Help you hunt for scholarships and study abroad.

• Exemption from foreign language exams in the National High School Exam!

• Priority is given to admission to major universities.

• Exemption from studying English at the University.

• Meet the exit standards at the University.

• Applying for jobs is easier, especially in multinational companies.

• Have the opportunity to settle abroad.

3.2. 3 "long-distance" benefits of taking the IELTS test in English

• Improve your ability to read and summarize any English text.

• Improve your ability to think logically and reason rigorously in English.

• Improve your ability to communicate fluently in English even if your vocabulary is limited.

Learn more about the benefits of IELTS through the video below:

4. IELTS test types

Currently, there are two types of IELTS certification tests:

• IELTS Academic (IELTS Academic): Is the entry requirement of most Universities and Graduate Schools. It is also a certificate used to assess your suitability for programs taught in English.

• IELTS General Training (IELTS General): An English language certificate is required for all those preparing to travel to English-speaking countries with the goal of completing their studies or immigrating.

More specifically, if you want to come to the UK to study or work, you will need to take the IELTS UKVI (Language Examination for UK Visa) certificate . Or the IELTS Life Skills certificate for those who need to demonstrate that their Listening and Speaking skills are at level A1 or B1 of CEFR (European Framework of Reference).

5. Types of IELTS test

There are 2 main ways to pay for IELTS:

• Paper-Based Exam

• Computer-Based Exam

Candidates can choose one of these two methods to take the test.

5.1. Paper-based IELTS test

• Do Reading, Listening and Writing on paper

• Speaking test directly with the examiner

• Paper-based IELTS test results will be available in 13 days

• Fee: 4,664,000 VND (updated in 2022)

5.2. Take IELTS on a computer

• Do the Reading, Listening and Writing tests on the computer.

• Speaking test directly with the examiner

• IELTS test results on the device will be available in 3-5 days

• Fee: 4,664,000 VND (updated in 2022)

Learn more about the computer-based IELTS English test in the video below:

6. IELTS English test structure

As mentioned, the IELTS General Training, Academic and IELTS UKVI test structure consists of 4 parts:

• Listen (Listen )

• Speaking ( Speaking)

• Reading (Reading)

• Writing (Writing)

Readers can see more detailed information about each section of the Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing tests in the following documents:

7. IELTS Score Scale

How is the IELTS English test scored and based on what scale? Let's learn how to calculate IELTS score with DOL through this section!

7.1 How to calculate IELTS test score

Overall score (sum) of the IELTS test is the average (rounded to the nearest 0.5) of each skill score. Specifically:

Overall = (Reading + Writing + Speaking + Listening) ÷ 4 

Eg:

Candidates have a Listening score of 5.0; Speaking is 6.5; Reading is 6.0; Writing is 6.5, total IELTS score = ( 5.0 + 6.5 + 6.0 + 6.5) 4 = 6.0

7.2 IELTS Score Scale

IELTS score is calculated on a scale from 1.0 - 9.0, in which 1.0 is the lowest band score (if you take the test, you will automatically get 1 "dot" to bring back) and 9.0 is the highest band score.

8. Answers to frequently asked questions

In this section, DOL will answer frequently asked questions about IELTS certificate .

Is the IELTS exam difficult?

The IELTS exam will be quite difficult for those who have a weak English background, there are many gaps in vocabulary and grammar. However, if you have a reasonable learning path and thinking method, it is completely possible to achieve a high IELTS score!

Where can I get IELTS test papers?

IELTS test papers are compiled and checked by Cambridge ESOL to ensure quality and consistency.

Is there a limit to how many times to take the IELTS test?

You can take the IELTS test unlimitedly. You can even register for multiple exams in a row.

Is there an age limit for the IELTS test?

There is no age limit for the IELTS test

Is it possible to reschedule the exam after registering for the exam?

You can change the test date but must follow the regulations of the IDP and BC. With BC, you can change your test date 2 weeks in advance at no cost. With IDP, you are allowed to change your test date 15 days in advance at no cost.

If you change the test date after the above time limit, you will have to pay a fee of 450,000 VND. You cannot move the date 1 week before the test date.

Can the IELTS test be reviewed?

Candidates after taking the IELTS are allowed to review but must pay a fee of VND 2,200,000

What month should I take the IELTS test?

Actually this depends on your personal schedule. Because the IELTS test questions are of the same difficulty between the months, and the marking criteria do not change.

IELTS test schedule and how to register?

IELTS test schedule:

On average, each month in Vietnam, there will be about 4 IELTS exams held in each province. Detailed exam schedule in each locality can be viewed at:

How to register for the IELTS test:

There are 2 main ways to register for the IELTS English test:

• Apply in person at a British Council or IDP campus as well as online through their official websites.

• You can also register with BC and IDP partners like DOL IELTS Dinh Luc.

Do you want to take the IELTS test?

The above article has introduced what is IELTS as well as provided all the necessary information related to IELTS certificate. Please visit DOL to receive the latest and most accurate information about the IELTS exam!