IELTS – International English Language Testing System
Thinking of studying in the UK? Keep reading! The IELTS certificate is recognised by over 10,000 education facilities worldwide and is perhaps the most popular and widely accepted test for international students.
The academic test is ideal for postgraduates and undergraduates, and assesses your ability in writing, speaking, reading, and listening. The reading, writing, and listening section needs to be completed on the same day, but the speaking section can be completed a week before or after the test. Find out more about specific format details of the test here.
Why Choose IELTS?
Well, firstly, the IELTS exam assesses English language skills at all levels with face-to-face speaking for real life context. It’s not just a test that you’ll forget as soon as you’ve passed, it’ll be really beneficial to your confidence as well as your studies. The results are designed to be simple and easy to understand, reported on band scores from a scale of 1 (lowest score) to 9 (the highest).
Each section is broken down into parts including listening, academic reading, general training reading, academic writing, general training writing and speaking. This may sound a little overwhelming at first, but don’t worry, it’ll all be worth it in the end! The IELTS test consists of questions that are relevant to the way people need to use English in their studies and the ‘real world’.
How is My IELTS Exam Result Calculated?
A score is given for each test section, and the scores for everyone are rounded to produce an overall score, it’s pretty simple really! The IELTS partners recommend a 2-year validity period for the test results. You can find out who accepts IELTS scores, a really useful tool when deciding what university you want to go to.
You can find a test location on their website, and the booking process is super easy too. Your results will be available 13 days after your test either by post, or some test centres requiring you to pick it up in person. Now all you need to do is get practicing!
Prepare for Your IELTS Test in the UK
One of the best ways to prepare for your IELTS test, and especially the tricky speaking part, is by visiting an English Language School in the UK. There are all kinds of courses available, from year-long ones, to intensive Summer School courses.
And at Homes for Students we can make sure you’re staying in a comfy and modern short-term or summer accommodation, while completing your language prep course. Meet new friends, socialise and explore – our living spaces are made with young people in mind.