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Meridean Overseas
Updated On 07 March 2022 & Read Time 9 minutes
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The IELTS test is a system for assessing the level of English language proficiency. Candidates who want to study abroad or have international migration must take the exam and receive good group grades.
The British Council and the IDP are organizing a language proficiency test. The test is conducted in 140 countries and has more than 1,200 testing centers.
Students who want to go abroad for higher education must prepare for the academic exam. General training for those who want to move abroad for professional reasons. Read this article to know how many years IELTS scores are valid.
Table of Contents
IELTS - International English Language Testing System
IELTS or the International English Language Testing System is a standardized English language test for those who are not fluent in English. It is supported by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australian and Cambridge Assessment English. It is one of the most popular and Basic English language tests in the world.
It is widely accepted by more than 11,000 organizations in various English nationalities. In addition, it is the only language accepted for immigration or visa applications in the UK. It is also accepted for immigration to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Candidates are given group points from 1 to 9 depending on their performance. There are no such transition signs.
Exam Name - IELTS
Full IELTS - International English Language Testing System
By - IDP Education Ltd.
Exam Method - Computer and paper tests
IELTS exam fee - Rs. 14,700
Range of scores - According to Table 1 (lowest) to 9 (highest)
Types of IELTS
There are two main types of IELTS based on its use, IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. The purpose of these tests is to test the applicants' abilities.
The IELTS academic option is available to candidates who wish to continue their higher education or obtain a professional certificate in any English-speaking country.
The general IELTS training option is designed for applicants who want to work, train, study, or just immigrate to England.
IELTS Features
Both IELTS Academic and General Training have the following features:
The IELTS test is designed to test an applicant's ability to listen, read, write, and communicate.
The most important part of IELTS is the conversation module. It is similar for both types and consists of an interview with the examiner.
The test has different accents and writing styles. These include Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
The IELTS test is developed by experts from the Cambridge English Assessment with experts from other countries.
Candidates are given points on a group scale from 0 to 9.
Example of IELTS exam
Candidates, who prepare for the exam, whether academic or general, must pass four section tests.
|
Section |
Types of Questions |
Time Allotted |
Number of Questions |
|
Listening |
Multichoice |
30 minutes |
40 questions |
|
Writing |
Multiple choice |
60 minutes |
40 questions |
|
Reading |
Two writing tasks |
60 minutes |
2 questions |
|
Speaking |
Three parts: Interview, Cue card, and discussion |
11-15 minutes |
Varies |
Candidates have to prepare for all these four sections as well as the overall band score will be counted based on the average marks of these sections.
All the sections are conducted on the same day for 2 hours 45 minutes. The speaking part might be conducted on the same day or can also help before or after the test date.
As already said above, this test has four sections and the total time duration is 2 hours and 45 minutes. Now let us see how much time a candidate can get in each section.
IELTS Listening Section
Out of the 2 hours 45 minutes, 30 minutes is allotted for the listening section. This section of the exam has four parts consisting of 40 total questions. These sections are used by the examiner to check the ability of the candidate to understand ideas and information.
IELTS Writing Section
Candidates get 1-hour time to complete the writing part that includes two parts. Here the candidate has to write about his/ her personal opinion on the given topic.
IELTS Reading Section
For this section also, candidates get 60 minutes. In this section, the candidate’s reading skills are tested.
IELTS Speaking Section
This is a face-to-face interaction round with the examiner where the candidate gets time ranging from 10 to 14 minutes. The candidate’s English communication skills are checked here.
IELTS Result and Score
The IELTS result is made available on the Test taker portal. Candidates need to log in to get access to their results. For computer-based exams, the results are declared on the 3-5th day after your test and for the paper based on the 13th day.
You can check your result via four modes, online, offline, SMS, and email.
For online mode, you need to visit the British council’s official website and select the link to the result. Select your test date, enter your details, and then click on the find button. Your result would be displayed on the screen.
For offline mode, you need to go to your test center and then show your ID number which was used at the time of registration. Also, show your candidate’s number, and then the test center would hand you the hard copy of your result.
To check your request via SMS you need to send the code to 9289892898 afternoons on the result date. The message format is like this:
RESULT < space > Candidate number < space > passport or ID number
You can also check your result via mail. You need to check your inbox for mail sent by the British council.
IELTS Score
Candidates are scored for different sections individually. Then these scores are combined to find an average and hence the overall band score is produced.
IELTS Band Scale
IELTS has nothing to pass or fail in. It scores candidates on a band scale system ranging from 0-9 according to their competence. Here are nine bands:
|
9 |
Expert User |
Full operational command over the language: appropriate, accurate, and fluent. |
|
8 |
Very Good User |
Fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. |
|
7 |
Good User |
Operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriateness and misunderstandings in some situations. |
|
6 |
Competent User |
Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. |
|
5 |
Modest user |
Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. |
|
4 |
Limited User |
Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Have frequent problems in understanding and expression. |
|
3 |
Extremely Limited User |
Conveys and understands the only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur. |
|
2 |
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. |
|
1 |
Non User |
Essentially cannot use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words. |
|
0 |
Did not attempt the test |
No information was provided at all. |
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As explained earlier, candidates are given scores individually for each section. Here is a table describing how much score you need to attain to get the desired band scale.
|
Band Score |
9 |
8.5 |
8 |
7.5 |
7 |
6.5 |
6 |
5.5 |
5 |
4.5 |
4 |
3.5 |
3 |
2.5 |
2 |
1.5 |
1 |
0.0 |
|
Listening score (out of 40) |
39 |
37 |
35 |
33 |
30 |
27 |
23 |
20 |
16 |
13 |
10 |
8 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Reading score (A, out of 40) |
39 |
37 |
35 |
33 |
30 |
27 |
23 |
20 |
16 |
13 |
10 |
8 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Reading score (G, out of 40) |
40 |
39 |
38 |
36 |
34 |
32 |
30 |
27 |
23 |
19 |
15 |
12 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
After passing the exams, they are given the results of the exam. For the online method, results are released within 5 to 7 days, but for offline methods, it takes approximately 13 days from the day of the exam.
IELTS scores are valid for two years from the date of receipt. For all candidates, the IELTS validity period is the same.
The validity of the IELTS certificate can be calculated after receiving the result. The certificate is considered expired after the expiration of two years.
Candidates may appear for the exam several times during the year and use the final result for a longer validity period.
This question is asked by many students as there are rumors about the extension of IELTS scores. The validity period is still two years, as there is no update on the IELTS official website regarding the exam extension.
Validity of IELTS Scores for the USA
IELTS results are accepted by more than 3,000 US institutions. The validity period of the score is about two years from the date of issue.
Validity of IELTS scores for Canada
The IRCC, Migration, Refugees, and Canadian Citizenship, calculates two years of IELTS validity from the date of publication of the results.
Applicants must retake the IELTS test after the expiration date.
Validity of IELTS Scores for Australia
Previously, IELTS scores in Australia were valid for two years, but now it has been extended to three years.
Validity of IELTS scores for the UK
In the UK, IELTS scores are valid for up to 2 years from the date of results. If you are not satisfied with your result, you can apply within 6 weeks or continue the EOR service.
Conclusion
No matter what IELTS exam you prepare for, the above details will be useful for both academic candidates and for general study. Graduate students can check out the IELTS online coaching portals for any new news about the validity extension.
If you have any doubts about the validity of your IELTS certificate, please share with us your thoughts in the box below. Plus, sign up for the University of your Dreams and get the scale of your favorite bands to visit the Meridean Overseas website. This is the best website designed just to help IELTS test takers. This site contains custom courses, professional coaching, information, and more.
Boost your IELTS score with effective practice using these sample papers.
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