What is IELTS and what is it for?

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Proficiency tests, such as the IELTS , assess your level of knowledge in English and can open many doors for those who want to study and work outside the country . For many job openings and courses at international universities, performing well on this test is one of the main prerequisites — and to get a good grade, you need to prepare adequately. In this post, we clarify everything about IELTS, how it works, what it is for and other important information that will help you do well and take advantage of the opportunities that may arise from it. Continue reading and stay informed! What is IELTS? IELTS is the acronym for International English Test System . This is an official English proficiency exam, organized by three institutions: British Council, Cambridge Language Assessment and IDP Australia. Although there are other proficiency tests, IELTS has been increasingly requested for its forms of assessment, rigor in application and accuracy of results .

Numerous institutions around the world phone database request proof of English level through IELTS scores, such as universities in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand and the United States , for example, where this is a requirement for foreign students. In addition, government agencies and private companies also use it as criteria to hire employees from other countries. How does the IELTS test work? IELTS can be taken in two different modules, depending on your objectives. The choice between academic module or general module must be done at the time of registration. The academic is required to enter undergraduate and postgraduate courses, being accepted by universities around the world. The general is required for professional internships in several countries, and may also be required to obtain certain types of visas in countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Even though it is carried out by one of the British entities (Cambridge and British Council), it is not a specific test of proficiency in British English .



During the different sessions that make up the test, you can hear both the British and the Canadian, Australian or American accents. The test lasts 2h45 , regardless of the module chosen. It is divided into sessions , as follows: 45 minutes for the oral comprehension session, 60 minutes for reading, 60 for writing and another 11 to 14 minutes for speaking. This last session may not be held on the same day as the others, depending on the availability of the evaluators where you take the test. See below for more details about each session! Understanding (listening) The comprehension session is divided into 4 parts, totaling 40 questions. You will have to listen to 3 to 4 dialogues or monologues, and then answer the questions based on what you heard. You need to be very careful because the recordings will not be repeated ! Reading It also has 40 questions, based on three, four or even five texts. In the academic module, texts are extracted from academic books, magazines and newspapers. In general, they are extracted from common journalistic sources and are usually shorter.