The IELTS is an International English Language Testing System and is the most popular English proficiency test worldwide. The IELTS Academic helps students enroll in international universities for higher education and global migration. Basically, this Academic test is ideal for those who want to study in an English-speaking environment with a definite purpose. However, the IELTS Academic is helpful if you are using it for registration only. Besides, this test helps in measuring your proficiency or skills in the test if you are ready to begin the preparation for the test.
Apart from this, there are more than 12,000+ IELTS academic institutions globally. Moreover, you should select those IELTS organizations which are recognized by employers, educational institutions, government, and professional bodies on a global scale. In addition to this, you can also choose the exam criteria whether to take the IELTS test on paper or on a computer-based (online) at home or another location. Also, you should make strategies to score good marks in IELTS. So without any further ado, let’s begin with the Introduction to IELTS Academic
IELTS Academic – Introduction
In this section, the introduction of the IELTS Academic is discussed. As you already know that the IELTS is an English Language test that examines a candidate’s proficiency in the English language. Indeed, it is one of the most popular and the world’s second-largest spoken languages. Whether you want to migrate or want to study it will help you around the world.
The IELTS Academic test is intended for non-native speakers and is specially designed for those who want to make their career internationally. However, the IELTS test is an internationally recognized training system that helps in testing the English language and is categorized into four parts.
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
- Speaking
Thus, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) was introduced in 1989, and since then the IELTS has become one of the most trusted English language assessment centers. However, this test is accepted all over the world. Almost 8000+ universities are ready to enroll the candidate in their courses if they have passed the IELTS test with good scores.
Types Of IELTS Academic Tests
The IELTS Academic test is a simple way to improve the candidate’s proficiency in the English language. This is a way to determine whether you are ready to study at an undergraduate or postgraduate level or work in a professional setting such as a banker, employer, nurse, lawyer, etc. Indeed, most countries accept your admission request if you have scored good marks in IELTS Academic. Thus, those countries are New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the UK, etc. Let’s go deep to know more about the types and the format of IELTS Academic tests.
READING – Test Format
Well, the reading section of IELTS Academic contains 40 questions. However, these questions are designed to test the candidates’ wide range of reading skills. Besides, the reading section mainly targets the main ideas, the gist, skimming, details, arguments, the logical part, and understanding and recognizing the attitude, response, and opinion of the writer.
Apart from this, the reading section also includes three long tests which span the discursive and analytical to the descriptive and factual parts. Moreover, descriptive and factual thinking is mainly taken from magazines, newspapers, journals, books, or any articles. However, these parts have been selected for a non-specialist audience, especially for those who want to enter into university or professional courses directly.
| You have 60 minutes and 40 questions for completing the reading task. Let’s talk in detail about the IELTS Academic Reading task. Task 1 – You have multiple choice questions in which you need to focus on comprehensive reading skills. Also, try to understand the specific points by reading the overall points of the passage Task 2 – Recognize the form of the information. In this task, you need to focus on the point of information that you are trying to convey in the passage. It is more factual than descriptive. Task 3 – Understand the point of view of the writer. Well, this task is more often used with argumentative and discursive texts. You need to improve your ability to recognize the ideas and opinions of the writers. Task 4 – Find out the matching information from the given text. For this task, you have to improve your scanning ability for a specific kind of information. Basically, this task is more concerned with the main idea. Task 5 – In this task, you need to focus on the summary, flow charts, table, and note completion. Lastly, summarise everything by testing the ability to understand the main idea of the section for the text. |
WRITING – Test Format
There are two writing tasks in the IELTS Academic writing test format, and both are compulsory to complete. Basically, in this section topics of general interest are likely to be discussed. These topics could be part of your regular life or the examiner could also ask you the reason for entering undergraduate or postgraduate courses or seeking professional ones.
| You have 60 minutes to complete two tasks. Make sure that the responses to both tasks must be in a formal style. IELTS Writing Task 1 – In IELTS Academic writing task 1, you will be asked to describe in favor of some visual information. Basically, this task requires 150 words in 20 minutes. In this task, you have to write about the facts and described figures. The examiner will demonstrate a diagram, picture, table, or anything and in response, you have to process the question and explain the system of its working and procedure in an effective way. IELTS Writing Task 2 – For task 2, you have to respond to an argument, opinion, point of view, or problem. However, you need to write 250 words within 40 minutes. You have been given a topic to write in a formal, semi-formal, informal, or in neutral style. Make sure your responses should be relevant and fully discursive of the relevant issues. Also, this task mainly focuses on the ability to present clear, well-organized evidence-proof, relevant support to your ideas, and use the English language consistently. |
LISTENING – Test Format
In this section, you will listen to four recordings in the English language by native speakers, then you have to write the answers on a sheet.
- In the 1st recording, you will hear a conversation between two persons talking in an everyday social context.
- In the 2nd recording, you will hear a monologue of a speech talking about the local healthcare facilities or anything.
- In a 3rd recording, a conversation takes place between four people in the context of education or training programs.
- In the 4th recording, a monologue takes place in the context of an academic subject, for example, a university lecture.
| You have 40 questions and approximately 30 minutes plus 10 more minutes for transferring the answers. Task 1 – It is a multiple-choice type question. The questions are formatted to test a wide range of skills and require a more detailed understanding of the main point of the listening text. Task 2 – In task 2, you need to match the listening skills for detail and understand the information which you hear during the conversation. The topics related to everyday life, hostel, and guest house accommodation. Try to boost the ability to follow the conversation between two persons and recognize the relationship and connections to understand the listening facts. Task 3 – In this task, you need to focus on sentence completion. It is an important part that focuses on the ability to identify the key information in a listening text. You should understand fictional relationships such as cause and effect. |
SPEAKING – Test Format
This section assesses the use of spoken English. However, there are three parts that are tested.
- Part 1 in which the examiner will ask general questions from the candidates about some familiar topics such as yourself, family background, study, interests, etc. However, this part takes 4 to 5 minutes approx.
- In part 2, an IELTS Speaking cue card will be given in which you have to talk about a specified topic. Additionally, you have a few minutes to prepare the task for up to three minutes.
- In part 3, further questions will be asked which are related to the part 2 topic. However, this task will give you more opportunities to discuss ideas and issues. Besides, this part lasts between four to five minutes.
| You have 11 to 14 minutes to answer the questions in the context of all three parts. Remember that, all the speaking tests will be recorded. Task 1 – The first part is about the introduction and Interview of the candidate. Moreover, this part totally focuses on the candidate’s ability to communicate in the English language. Also, it shows the consistency, information, and opinion on social contexts. Task 2 – In this task, you have to focus on the ability to speak on lengthy topics by organizing ideas and using appropriate language with fluency. This section requires drawing on a personal experience so as to complete the long turn. Task 3 – It is all about discussion. However, this part mainly focuses on the ability to express and justify opinions to analyze, speculate and discuss the issues. |
Conclusion
After reading this blog you might have found the answers to your queries. This is what IELTS Academic is and these are its types – reading, writing, speaking, and listening. If you really want to study abroad, then you have to pass the IELTS exam and score more than 6 bands. Lastly, you need to remember, every organization that you are applying to has set its own requirements, so check the requirements first.
Moreover, the university authorities will decide on IELTS Academic results and the level of English, and the band score you need to demonstrate. So before preparing for the Academic IELTS, it is a good idea to contact the authorities and ask your queries straight away.
FAQs
How long is the validity of my IELTS score?
The validity of IELTS scores helps in ensuring that the knowledge is original and that only two years should be spent there.
I believe my English is adequate. Should I still take the IELTS test?
Don’t rely on luck to pass your IELTS Academic exam. Even if you have a strong track record with tests, you must prepare thoroughly to get the greatest grade possible because each test is unique.
