IELTS
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What is IELTS?
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) assesses the ability to communicate in English in authentic language environments, encompassing the four fundamental skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. IELTS scores are composed of an overall score ranging from 0 to 9, as well as scores for the listening, reading, writing, and speaking components. IELTS scores are valid for two years.
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Exam Type
There are two types of IELTS exams: the Academic type (A type, for those applying for undergraduate, postgraduate and above degrees abroad) and the General Training type (G type, for UK national immigration applications, or for training and non-diploma courses). Candidates who intend to study abroad should choose the Academic type.
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Examination Mode
Each IELTS exam type is available in both paper-based and computer-based modes.
Exam Content
*The Speaking and Listening sections of the G and A exams are the same, but the Reading and Writing sections are different.
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Listening 80 minutes(paper-based tests allow an additional 10 minutes to write your answers on the answer sheet)
40 questions
4 monologues and dialogues
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Reading 60 minutes
40 questions
3 passages and corresponding questions
Article types range from descriptive to factual, and from discursive to analytical
Also includes non-text content such as graphs, curves, or illustrations
Articles are taken from real publications (e.g. books, journals, and newspapers)
3
Writing 60 minutes
Two writing tasks
A 150-word essay requiring the candidate to analyze, describe, or explain a table, graph, bar chart, or diagram
A 250-word argumentative essay
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Speaking 11-14 minutes
Three parts
Face-to-face format
Includes a few short questions, elaboration on a familiar topic, and discussion of the topic