The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assesses a person’s language skills in English based on reading, writing, listening and speaking. This English proficiency test aids in providing a reference to the person’s communication ability when in an English-speaking country. Countries such as Canada, Australia, the USA, New Zealand, and the UK generally require an English proficiency test in order for an individual to study, work or migrate to one of those countries. IELTS is conducted at many centres and can be taken multiple times. There are 4 parts to the IELTS test, reading, writing, listening, and speaking the highest overall score and individual score that can be achieved is a 9 band. The time allotted for reading and writing is 60 minutes and 30 minutes for listening.
- Reading: The candidate has to read 2 to 3 long passages and then answer the questions related to them. The answers to the questions will be present within the passage itself.
- Writing: The candidate has to answer two tasks. The first one will be an infographic which has to be summarized. The second one will be an argumentative type question and the candidate has to pick a side and write an answer for it. Remember to stick to the word limit mentioned for both tasks.
- Speaking: The candidate has a face-to-face interview with an examiner and will assess communication skills during IELTS speaking. There will be communication on general and specific topics.
- Listening: The candidate is given a recording or audio which will be played only once. They have to listen to the audio carefully and accordingly answer the questions.
What Takes Place During The IELTS Speaking Test?
In many cases, the speaking section takes place on a different day than the other parts of the exam. There will be an examiner present who will assess the speaking skills of the candidates from the answers given to questions asked. IELTS speaking can be broadly classified into 3 sections, the first section is where the examiner asks basic personal questions to the candidate. The next module will include a topic chosen randomly from a list, the candidate will have one minute to prepare on this and even take notes. After a minute the candidate has to speak on that topic for two minutes. The third section of the exam involves the examiner asking questions related to the topic spoken about, the candidate needs to respond accordingly. The entire speaking section can take anywhere from 11 to 14 mins.
How To Prepare For The IELTS Speaking Part?
Preparation and practice are key to achieving a good band in IELTS. Some ways to prepare for the speaking section of the exam –
- Watch English videos of news, tv shows, movies, etc and make a note of unfamiliar words to check on later. This will improve vocabulary and pronunciation.
- Mock tests or videos of interviews of the IELTS speaking are also a great way to understand how the whole process works and learn from others.
- There are many online and offline centres that provide training and guidance for individual sections of IELTS. This is a great way to have one-on-one coaching and clarify doubts.
- Setting up a one-on-one session with a friend or family member will greatly help in improving confidence and help with the general flow.
- Free tests or IELTS speaking samples or samples of other sections can be found online.
- Making mental notes of certain replies that can be given to common questions related to work, education, hobbies, etc will reduce nervousness.
- Strike up conversions with people from English-speaking countries in voice forums online. This will aid in understanding accents and responding better.
- Do not keep anything until the last moment except for quick revisions.
- Focus on mental, physical and emotional health and remember this exam can be taken as many times as required.
FAQs
Q1. What is the highest score that can be achieved in IELTS speaking?
The highest score that can be achieved in IELTS is 9 band and this includes each section too i.e, Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.
Q2. What are some of the IELTS speaking topics?
The topics could vary depending on the examiner present, but some common topics are, a book you read, a movie you watch, an important event, a role model, etc.
Q3. Will the IELTS speaking test be difficult to give?
The speaking test will be difficult if there is no preparation involved. With a good number of mock interviews and sample exams, a student should be in a good position to take the IELTS speaking test.
Q4. Can IELTS be taken multiple times?
There is no limitation to the number of times the test can be taken. However, the same registration amount has to be paid each time when taking the exam.
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I have done Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from India and completed my graduation in the year 2022 .I am 22 years old. After graduation, I have done 1 year paid internship from USA .Now, I would like to take occupational experience and learn culinary skills and also do masters in Culinary arts.How can I find the college n best course / country where I can persue studying further