PERSONALITY PLUS

	WHAT IS I E L T S ?
	IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is used as the language of communication. It covers the four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking. IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication. It is the preferred test of English for students intending to study in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom and covers the four language skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking. IELTS has two modules: General Training and Academic. The General Training module is usually taken by people who want to emigrate, and the Academic module is taken by people who want to study abroad. It is essential that you check with the receiving country or institution to find out which module you need to take. It is your responsibility to choose the right module.

	PURPOSE OF IELTS
	If you're planning to go abroad, to undertake further study, to undertake non-academic training or work experience, to emigrate or if you simply want to test your real English ability, then IELTS, the test of real English communicative ability, will ensure that you have the right level of English for your needs. IELTS Academic Module is recognized widely as a language requirement for entry to all courses in further and higher education and assesses whether a candidate is ready to study or train in the medium of English at an undergraduate or postgraduate level. IELTS General Training Module is suitable for candidates who are going to English-speaking countries to complete their secondary education, undertake training programs or for immigration purposes. IELTS is available in more than 120 countries at over 290 approved test centers.

	FORMAT OF THE EXAM
	Candidates are tested in listening, reading, writing and speaking. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules. There is a choice between Academic and General Training in the Reading and Writing Modules. The total test time, excluding the speaking test, is two hours and 45 minutes. Your speaking test may be on the same day as the other parts, or on a different day.

	TEST SCORES
	Band scores are recorded on a Test Report Form, showing overall ability as well as performance in listening, reading, writing and speaking from 1 to 9. The tests are designed to cover the full range of ability from non-user to expert user.

	WHO RECOGNISES IELTS?
	IELTS is recognized for course admission by universities in many countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA and the UK. In the USA the IELTS Test is now recognized by more than 1400 institutions including 7 out of 8 Ivy League Schools. IELTS is also required as proof of your language abilities for immigration to Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom.

	Frequently Asked Questions:
	Why have the half band scores in speaking and writing been introduced?
	The partners strive for continuous research and take feedback from stakeholders to continually improve the test. The stakeholders felt that introducing half band scores in speaking and writing sections of the test will give them information about the precise level of the candidate and enable them to make a more informed decision. This does not disadvantage the candidates but gives a more accurate result.

	Can I take only one module or do I have to take all four modules?
	This is not possible as the final band score is an average of the score for each of the 4 skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking. The proficiency of the candidates can only be judged based on his/her final band score. Research has shown that people can increase (via practice) or even decrease (via infrequent use of the language) their proficiency level from time to time.

	How do authorities who accept IELTS know if an IELTS result is genuine?
	Most organizations that accept IELTS (universities, immigration authorities) have direct access to the global on-line IELTS verification service. From their computer they can see. If any of the information on the test report form has been altered e.g. band scores, photo, id numbers etc. If an IELTS test report form is genuine.