IELTS_Handbook.pdf

Handbook 2007

www.ielts.org

Contents

2 Introduction

What is IELTS?

Test Administration

Academic and General Training

Test Format

Preparing for the Test

4 IELTS Test Results

Test Scores

Test Report Form

Interpretation of Results

6 Tests

Listening

Reading

Writing

11 Speaking

13 Test Registration and Administration

14 Transferring Answers to the Answer Sheet

15 Candidates with Special Needs

15 Other Difficulties

16 Security of IELTS

16 Question Paper Development

and Research

17 Test Centres

20 Official IELTS Practice Materials

Order Form

Introduction

This Handbook gives an overview of IELTS for teachers,

administrators and other users, including staff in receiving

organisations such as universities, professional registration

boards and employers. It outlines the key features and

administrative procedures for IELTS.

The Handbook does not include complete samples of the test

components; these are given in the Official IELTS Practice

Materials pack, which can be bought from IELTS test centres,

or from Cambridge ESOL or IDP: IELTS Australia (see page 20).

Additional information is given on the IELTS website

www.ielts.org

Academic and General Training

IELTS is available in two formats – Academic and General

Training.

The Academic Reading and Writing tests assess whether

a candidate is ready to study or train in the medium of English

at an undergraduate or postgraduate level. Admission to

undergraduate and postgraduate courses is based on

the results of these tests.

The General Training Reading and Writing tests are not designed

to test the full range of formal language skills required for

academic purposes, but emphasise basic survival skills in a

broad social and educational context. General Training is

suitable for candidates who are going to English-speaking

countries to complete their secondary education, to undertake

work experience or training programmes not at degree level, or

for immigration purposes to Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

What is IELTS?

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System,

is designed to assess the language ability of candidates

who need to study or work where English is the language

of communication.

IELTS is jointly managed by the University of Cambridge ESOL

Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council and IDP: IELTS

Australia. IELTS conforms to the highest international standards

of language assessment. It covers the four language skills –

listening, reading, writing and speaking.

IELTS is recognised by universities and employers in many

countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK

and the USA. It is also recognised by professional bodies,

immigration authorities and other government agencies.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to inform the test

centre whether they wish to take the Academic or General

Training Modules. Centres are not responsible for providing

this information. The General Training Module is not offered

at all test administrations.

IELTS is not recommended for candidates under the age of 16.

Test Administration

IELTS tests are administered at centres throughout the world –

there are currently over 300 centres operating in more than 100

countries. Centres supervise the local administration of the test

and ensure the provision of qualified and trained examiners.

A full list of centres is available on the IELTS website.

Test centres run regular test administrations, according to local

need and results are available within two weeks. Candidates

receive only one copy of their results but additional copies may

be sent by the test centre directly to receiving organisations at

the request of the candidate.

There are no restrictions on candidates re-taking the test.

2 | IELTS Handbook 2007

Test Format

Listening

Time: approximately 30 minutes

Candidates are tested in listening, reading, writing and

speaking. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking

tests. There is a choice between Academic and General Training

in the Reading and Writing tests.

The tests are designed to cover the full range of ability from

non-user to expert user.

The first three tests – Listening, Reading and Writing –

must be completed in one day. There is no break between the

tests. The Speaking test may be taken, at the discretion of the

test centre, in the period seven days before or after the other

tests.

A computerised version of IELTS Listening, Reading and Writing

tests (CB IELTS) is available at selected centres, but all centres

will continue to offer paper-based IELTS and candidates will be

given the choice of the medium in which they wish to take the

test.

Candidates listen to a number of recorded

texts. These include a mixture of

monologues and conversations and feature

a variety of English accents.

The recording is heard only once, and

candidates are given time to read the

questions and write down their answers.

Academic Reading

Time: 60 minutes

General Training

Reading

Time: 60 minutes

There are three reading

passages with tasks. Texts

are taken from books,

magazines, journals and

newspapers, all written for

a non-specialist audience.

At least one of the texts

contains a detailed

argument.

The texts are based on the

type of material candidates

would be expected to

encounter on a daily basis in

an English-speaking country.

They are taken from sources

such as newspapers,

advertisements, instruction

manuals and books, and test

the candidate’s ability to

understand and use

information. The test

includes one longer text,

which is descriptive rather

than argumentative.

Preparing for the Test

It is not necessary to attend an IELTS preparation course though

it is, of course, a good idea to prepare thoroughly for the test.

An order form is given at the end of this Handbook for an Official

IELTS Practice Materials pack. This includes a full practice test

with an answer key and a CD of the Listening test and sample

Speaking tests, so that candidates can get some idea of their

level and familiarise themselves with the format of the test.

There is also a wide range of published preparation materials.

Academic Writing

Time: 60 minutes

General Training

Writing

Time: 60 minutes

The first task requires

candidates to write a

description of at least 150

words. This is based on

material found in a chart,

table, graph or diagram and

demonstrates their ability to

present information and to

summarise the main features

of the input.

For the second task,

candidates write a short

essay of at least 250 words

in response to a statement

or question. They are

expected to demonstrate an

ability to present a position,

construct an argument and

discuss abstract issues.

The first task requires

candidates to write a letter

of at least 150 words either

asking for information, or

explaining a situation.

For the second task,

candidates write a short

essay of at least 250 words

in response to a statement

or question. They are

expected to demonstrate an

ability to present a position,

construct an argument and

discuss issues.

Speaking

Time: 11–14 minutes

The test is a face-to-face interview.

Candidates are assessed on their use of

spoken English to answer short questions,

to speak at length on a familiar topic, and

also to interact with the examiner.

IELTS Handbook 2007 | 3

IELTS Test Results

Marking is carried out at the test centre by trained examiners

whose work is closely monitored. This ensures that test results

are available without any administrative delay.

Results are standardised and usually available within two weeks

of the test, and Test Report Forms are sent to the candidates

and to the sponsor(s)/receiving institution(s). Test centres are not

permitted to give results over the phone, or by fax or email.

The completed Test Report Form bears a centre stamp, a

validation stamp, the candidate’s photograph and the authorised

centre representative’s signature. The authenticity of any

Test Report Form can be verified by means of the Test Report

Form Verification Service located at https://ielts.ucles.org.uk

British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge ESOL

reserve the right to cancel any Test Report Form in the event

of any attempt to tamper with or misuse the information

contained in it.

Test Scores

IELTS provides a profile of a candidate’s ability to use English.

Candidates receive scores on a Band Scale from 1 to 9.

A score is reported for each test component. The individual test

scores are then averaged and rounded to produce an Overall

Band Score according to a confidential Band Score conversion

table. Overall Band Scores and individual test scores are

reported in whole and half bands.

Test Report Form

An example of the Test Report Form is shown on the right.

Each test is reported separately as a Band Score, together with

an Overall Band Score. A descriptive statement giving a

summary of the English of a candidate classified at each band

level is provided below and is included on the reverse of the Test

Report Form.

>>> IELTS Band Scores

Expert user

Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete

understanding.

Very good user

Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and

inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed

argumentation well.

Good user

Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and

misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed

reasoning.

Competent user

Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and

misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

Modest user

Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make

many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.

Limited user

Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is

not able to use complex language.

Extremely limited user

Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in

communication occur.

Intermittent user

No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short

formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and

written English.

Non user

Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

Did not attempt the test

No assessable information provided.

4 | IELTS Handbook 2007

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