IELTS, or International English Language Testing System, is one of the most widely recognized and respected English language proficiency tests in the world.

It is designed to assess the language ability of non-native English speakers who want to study, work, or migrate to English-speaking countries.

In this article, we will explore IELTS in detail, covering its history, format, types, scoring, and tips for success.

IELTS full form and history

The IELTS full form is the International English Language Testing System. It was developed in the 1980s by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English, with the aim of providing a fair and reliable way of measuring English language proficiency for non-native speakers. Since then, IELTS has become the most widely accepted English language test in the world, with over 3 million tests taken each year in more than 140 countries.

Why is IELTS important?
IELTS is important for several reasons. First, it is a requirement for admission to many academic programs in English-speaking countries, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Second, it is recognized by many employers as evidence of English language proficiency, particularly in industries such as healthcare, engineering, and finance. Finally, it is often required by governments for visa applications and immigration purposes.

Types of IELTS
There are two types of IELTS: Academic and General Training. The Academic test is designed for students who want to study at a university or college where English is the language of instruction, while the General Training test is intended for those who want to work or migrate to an English-speaking country. Both tests assess the four language skills - listening, reading, writing, and speaking - but the topics and tasks are different.

IELTS exam structure
The IELTS exam consists of four components: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The total exam time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The Listening, Reading, and Writing components are taken on the same day, while the Speaking component may be taken up to 7 days before or after the other components.

●     Listening: The Listening component consists of four sections, with 40 questions in total. The candidates will be given a recording of a conversation or a lecture, which they will listen to through headphones. They will then answer questions based on what they have heard.

●     Reading: The Reading component consists of three sections, with 40 questions in total. It consists of three passages, which the candidates will read and answer questions about. The texts are taken from academic or general interest sources.

●     Writing: The Writing component consists of two tasks. In Task 1, the candidate has to describe or explain a visual chart, graph, or diagram. In Task 2, the candidate has to write an essay in response to a prompt.

●     Speaking: The Speaking component consists of three parts. In Part 1, the candidate answers general questions about themselves and his interests. In Part 2, the test taker is given a topic and has to speak for 2 minutes about it. In Part 3, the candidate has a discussion with the examiner about more abstract or complex topics related to the Part 2 topic.

IELTS scoring system
The IELTS scoring system ranges from 0 to 9, with 0 indicating that the test taker did not attempt the exam or did not answer any questions. Each component of the exam (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) is scored individually on a scale of 0 to 9, and the overall score is an average of the four component scores. The overall score is rounded up or down to the nearest half-band.

●     Band 9: Expert User

●     Band 8: Very Good User

●     Band 7: Good User

●     Band 6: Competent User

●     Band 5: Modest User

●     Band 4: Limited User

●     Band 3: Extremely Limited User

●     Band 2: Intermittent User

●     Band 1: Non-user

●     Band 0: Did not attempt the exam

IELTS exam fees
The IELTS exam fees in India vary depending on the type of exam and location. The fees for the Academic and General Training exams are the same. As of 2023, the IELTS exam fee in India is INR 14,700. The fee includes the cost of all four components of the exam: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. In addition, candidates can request up to five extra Test Report Forms (TRFs) for free when they register for the exam.

IELTS exam centres in India
IELTS exam centres in India are located in over 40 cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Candidates can choose the exam centre based on their preference and location. The exam centres are managed by the British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia. Candidates can check the availability of exam dates and centres on the IELTS registration website.

IELTS registration
IELTS registration can be done online or in person. Here are the steps to register for the IELTS test in India:

Step 1: Choose your IELTS test type
Firstly, you need to decide which type of IELTS test you need to take: Academic or General Training. If you are taking the IELTS for academic purposes, such as applying for higher education or professional registration, you should choose the Academic test. If you are taking it for general purposes, such as for immigration or work, you should choose the General Training test.

Step 2: Find an IELTS test center
Visit the official IELTS website and locate the nearest IELTS test centre. You can search for centres by location or test date.

Step 3: Check available test dates
Once you have found a test centre, check the available test dates and select the one that suits you the best. Keep in mind that test dates fill up quickly, so you should book your test date well in advance.

Step 4: Register for the test
Once you have selected the test date, click on the 'Apply' button on the IELTS website. Fill out the application form and provide the required personal information, such as your name, date of birth, and identification number.

Step 5: Pay the test fee
After completing the application form, you will be directed to the payment page. The test fee may vary by country or region, so check the IELTS website for the current fee. You can pay online using a credit or debit card or pay in person at the test centre.