nternational English Language Testing System
What is IELTS?
IELTS is an acronym for International English Language Testing System. For many students and candidates it has also be come known as the International English Language Torture System. This exam, and its sub set of modules in the four skill sets of reading listening, speaking and writing measure the language abilities deemed important for overseas migration or tertiary academic study.
Two IELTS exams?
Yes there are two IELTS exams, one is known as the General Training Test that is used by many governments to assess the level of English Language competency for migration purposes. The ‘passing’ grade for many governments is Band Reading 5.
The other is the IELTS Academic Training exam, used by educational institution to measure language competency for advanced studies in universities in the western world being UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand or America. The exam can also be used for people seeking professional registration in many English-speaking countries. Businesses also understand the IELTS system and can be used as a model of competency for employment in national and international companies.
Persons undertaking overseas training at technical colleges often need a lower score of Band Reading 5. These courses may include a large degree of ‘hands on’ practical skills training, with the theory component reduced to minimal level. The ‘passing’ grade required for many universities for undergraduate Bachelor degrees is Band Reading 6 to 6.5, for post graduate master’s degrees band reading 6.5 to 7 and for phd doctorate degrees, band reading 7.5 or higher depending on the university and course.
What are the differences?
All IELTS candidates take exams regarding the four skill sets in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. IELTS General Training Exam offers different papers in the writing and reading modules, however the listening and speaking modules are the same for both.