The aroma of foreign land mesmerizes everyone. This has led to amalgamation of humans hailing from all strata of society, with different perception towards life, pursuing their immigration. But, the world is so competitive that nothing but the best would excel. Everybody has the right to dream as dreams lead to decisions and decisions lead to actions. We all dream of perfect systems surrounding us and all the comforts within four walls of our house, which eventually bring the best from within. But these leviathan nations have got a limited intake. They all want only the technical & scientific horsepower to move to their countries. This is where they want people proficient in their language i.e. English to be a part of them. So, they have inculcated rigorous tests like IELTS (International English Language Testing System) to rate English proficiency of the people.

IELTS, the English proficiency test, consists of four parts that test your command over four basic aspects of English i.e. Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking. You are gauged on a scale of 9, known as bands. The minimum band requirement differs for different countries and for that you need to check out the latest requirement with the embassies or the universities.

IELTS tests the complete range of English language proficiency skills required by the students and those seeking immigration to English speaking countries. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules. There is an option of either Academic or General Training Reading and Writing Modules depending upon the reason of taking the test. Academic Module is suitable for candidates planning to undertake higher education while the General Training Module is suitable for candidates planning to immigrate or to work.

IELTS is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) Examinations, British Council UK and IDP Education Australia. Cambridge ESOL is responsible for designing the test and evaluating the aspirants while the other two bodies administer the test because of their giant network all over the world.

Countries that recognize IELTS are AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, UNITED KINGDOM, CANADA, Various other commonwealth countries and USA.

Description
In this test, you hear different extracts on the tape and you have to answer questions based on that.

Time Allowed
The duration for this particular section is 40-45 minutes.

Procedure
This is the first section in the IELTS. A pre-recorded listening module is played on a tape in the examination room. The tape is played only once with pauses wherever required. Candidates are given a question paper. As they listen to the tape, they should write their answers on the question paper. At the end of the test, candidates are given 10 minutes to transfer their answers to the answer sheet.

Format
The test consists of 3-4 sections and there are total of 40 questions. The kinds of conversations can be:
– A conversation between two speakers about a social/semi official topic.
– A monologue (by one speaker) about any social or non-academic topic.
– A conversation between two to four speakers about an academic topic.
– A university style presentation by one speaker about an academic topic/news item.

Description
The test includes reading and comprehending certain passages of different kinds like passages from magazines, journals, topics of general interest etc.

Time Allowed
This test lasts for 60 min and the candidates are required to answer around 40 questions.

Procedure
The test is generally of two types; Academic and General. The time allowed for both the tests is the same.

Academic
The reading passages include journals, articles from magazines, books, newspapers etc and one passage presents a detailed logical argument.

General
These could include notices, advertisements, booklets etc and passages which focus on social survival & general reading.

Format
The kind and format of questions are the same for both Academic and General modules. These comprise
– Multiple choice questions
– Gap-Fill questions
– Short answer questions
– Matching questions
– True/ False/Not Given questions

Description:
In this section, you are gauged for your writing skills. In assessing your performance in the writing test, the examiner considers your performance in following skill areas:
– Legible Handwriting
– Presentation and Organisation
– Formation of grammatically correct sentences
– Using vocabulary effectively

Time Allowed
This section lasts for 60 minutes. There are two tasks for each module
– Academic (Essay & Graph)
– General (Essay & Letter)

Procedure
– Read: Read the task carefully
– Plan: After you understand what is required in the task, then plan what you are going to write. Reading and planning should take about five minutes in task 1 & task 2
– Write: After you have planned your writing, begin to write. Do not copy the question. Make sure you answer the question asked only. Writing will take about ten minutes in Task 1 and 25 minutes in Task 2.
– Check: After you have finished writing, it is important to go back & check your writing. Checking should take about 5 minutes in Task 1 & Task 2. Even if you have not finished Task 1 in recommended time, go on to Task 2.Remember that Task 2 is worth more marks than Task1.

Format
Task 1: Different for Academic & General.
Academic : You are usually asked to describe and interpret in your own words a graph or a chart.
General : You are asked to write a letter describing a situation.
Task 2 : Same for Academic & General. (Topics are different)
You are asked to give an opinion or suggest a solution to a problem.

Description
The examiner will call you for one to one interview.

Time Allowed
The interview may last from 10 to 20 minutes.

Procedure
The examiner will switch on a cassette-recorder at the beginning of the test. The purpose of this recording is to ensure that the examiner has conducted the test correctly.

Format
This section consists of three parts, each with a different format.

PART 1 : Introduction and interview (4 to 5 minutes)
You are invited to sit down. The examiner checks your ID. The examiner tries to get you to settle down (feel relaxed), asking basic questions about your life, your background, family and so on.

PART 2 : (3 to 4 minutes)
The examiner gives you a card with a topic written on it. You have one minute to think about this topic and prepare what you are going to say. Then you must speak about the topic for one to two minutes. After you finish talking, the examiner could ask some follow-up questions.

PART 3 : (4 to 5 minutes)
The examiner engages you in a discussion about topic that has the same general theme as of Part 2

Kolkata
British Council East India – Kolkata, Patna, Guwahati
Address:
IELTS Administrator
L & T Chambers, 1st Floor, 16 Camac Street
Kolkata – 700 017
Tel : + 91 33 2282 5370
Fax: + 91 33 2282 4804
Email: ielts.kolkata@in.britishcouncil.org
Web: www.britishcouncil.org.in/ielts

New Delhi
British Council North India – Delhi, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Bhopal, Jaipur, Lucknow, Ludhiana
Address:
IELTS Administrator
17 Kasturba Gandhi Marg
New Delhi – 110001
Tel : 91 011 23711401
Fax: 91 011 23710717
Email: Delhi.ielts@in.britishcouncil.org
Web: www.britishcouncil.org.in/ielts

Chennai
British Council South India – Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Trivandrum, Cochin, Coimbatore, Kottayam
Address:
IELTS Administrator
British Deputy High Commission, 737 Anna Salai
Chennai – 600 002
Tel : +91 44 5205 0600
Fax: +91 44 5205 0688
Email: ielts.chennai@in.britishcouncil.org
Web: www.britishcouncil.org.in/ielts

Mumbai
British Council West India – Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Baroda, Pune, Surat
Address:
IELTS Administrator
Mittal Tower “C” Wing, Nariman Point
Mumbai – 400 021
Tel : 91 22 2282 3560
Fax: 91 22 2281 6619
Email: ielts.mumbai@in.britishcouncil.org
Web: www.britishcouncil.org.in/ielts

Ahmedabad
IDP Education Australia Ahmedabad – Test Centre
+ More Information
Address:
IELTS Administrator
1t Floor, Mahaly Complex, Off C G Road, Navrangpura
Ahmedabad – 380009 Gujrat
Tel : 91 79 640 6226
Fax: 91 79 640 4094
Email: info@ahmedabad.idp.com

Bangalore
IDP Education Australia Bangalore – Test Centre
Address:
IELTS Administrator
201, 2nd Floor, The Presidency, No. 1, St. Mark’s Road
Bangalore – 560001
Tel : +91(80) 512 33 751/ 52/ 53/ 54/ 55/ 56
Fax: +91(80) 512 33 757
Email: info@bangalore.idp.com
Web: www.ieltsindia.com

Chandigarh
IDP Education Australia Chandigarh – Test Centre
Address:
IELTS Administrator
SCO 147-148, 2nd Floor, Sector 9-C, Madhya Marg
Chandigarh – 160001
Tel : 91 172 274 1331
Fax: 91 172 274 1510
Email: info@chandigarh.idp.com

Chennai
IDP Education Australia Chennai – Test Centre
Address:
IELTS Administrator
10A, RainTree Place, 7, McNichols Road, Chetpet
Chennai – 600 031
Tel : 91 44 52179388 /89 /90 /91 extn. 40, 42
Fax: 91 44 52179392
Email: ielts@chennai.idp.com
Web: www.ieltsindia.com

Hyderabad
IDP Education Australia Hyderabad – Test Centre
Address:
IELTS Administrator
Uma Hyderabad House, 3rd Floor
6-3-1090/1/1, Raj Bhavan Rd, Somajiguda
Hyderabad – 500 082
Tel : 91 40 2339 8247
Fax: 91 40 2339 8200
Email: IN127.administrator@idp.com

Mumbai
IDP Education Australia Mumbai – Test Centre
Address:
IELTS Administrator
Express Building, 1st Floor, Opp. Churchgate Station
Mumbai
Tel: 91 22 2202 6505 / 9
Fax: 91 22 2202 6501
Email: info@mumbai.idp.com
Web: www.idp.com

New Delhi
IDP Education Australia New Delhi – Test Centre
Address:
IELTS Administrator
Flat no. 513, International Trade Tower, Nehru Place
New Delhi – 110019
Tel : 91-11-26284404/26467535/26284103
Fax: 91-11-26481262
Email: info@ieltsindia.com
Web: www.ieltsindia.com

Prior to taking the IELTS test you must apply at your chosen test centre and submit an IELTS Application Form.
Fill in the Application Form and send it or take it to the test centre with the test fee and two passport sized photographs. You need some evidence of identity. This must be a passport number, or in some circumstances a national identity card number. Please confirm with your test centre which form of identification is acceptable. Candidates taking the test outside their own country must present a passport. Candidates must enter the number of their passport or identity card on the Application Form.

The test centre will confirm your IELTS test date and time. If the Speaking Module is to be on a different day, the candidate will be advised at this time. On the test day, make sure you bring the same evidence of identity as the number entered on the application form. Please contact your chosen test centre for information on terms and conditions for test fee payment and cancellation.

Rules and Regulations

You must
– Provide proof of your identity (e.g. national identify card or passport) at registration and every examination session. Second country nationals must produce a passport. This ID must contain a number, a signature, a date of birth and a photograph. It is the responsibility of the candidate to prove their identity.
– Provide two recent passport-sized photographs on registration
– Only have on your desk a pen/pencil and an eraser.
– Ensure mobile phones and pagers are switched off and placed with personal belongings in the area designated by the supervisor. Any candidate who does not switch off their phone/pager, or who retains one in their possession, will be disqualified.
– Notify the test invigilator immediately if test day conditions in any way impede your performance.

You must not
– Attempt to cheat, copy the work of another candidate or disrupt the test.
– Use, or attempt to use, a dictionary, pager, spell-checker, electronic recorder or mobile phone for the duration of the test. Any candidate doing so will be disqualified.
– Talk to or disturb other candidates once the examination has started.
– Smoke, eat or drink in the examination room.
– Reproduce any part of the test in any format/medium. Any candidate doing so will have their test results disqualified and be liable to prosecution.
– Remove any materials used during the examination. This includes, but is not limited to, examination papers, answer papers and working paper.

Disqualification warning
If you are caught infringing any of the candidate rules and regulations your test result will be disqualified and notification of your disqualification will be sent to any receiving institution or professional body.