IELTS is the most widely used and accepted test for checking the proficiency of a non-native English speaker in English through a standardised questionnaire. The examination is managed through the collaborative action of IDP: IELTS Australia, British Council and Cambridge Assessment English. The results of the examination are majorly accepted in the educational institutions in the USA, the UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Europe and New Zealand. The test was established and has been conducted every year since 1989 for all global citizens to assess the level of proficiency they have in the English Language. Another importance of IELTS is that it is the only accepted and necessary test by the UKVI for the application and issue of visas to foreign visitors.
Importance of IELTS
IELTS is one of the most important worldwide examinations in the format of a standardised test. The importance of IELTS lies in the fact that it is the most widely accepted test for English Language proficiency in the world. IELTS is vital for students from nations not falling under native English speaking nations to get admission into the various higher education institutions that operate in the native English speaking nations, with the UK and Australia being the primary nations IELTS is also important for professionals when they seek to relocate into native English speaking nations for the purpose of work or work-related training. This importance is founded on the fact that the language of instruction in these nations is English and hence individuals have to prove that language will not be a barrier.Marking Criteria of IELTS
The IELTS examination does not have any minimum criteria and every individual appearing for the examination obtains a test report after the examination. However, the marking is done through the division of the examinees into nine categories known as bands with numeric increments indicating the level of proficiency. This means that an examinee with no knowledge of English is categorised in Band 1 and it increases up to Band 9 which is the category assigned to examinees showing expert proficiency. Band 0 is assigned to applicants who did not appear for or attempt the IELTS examination. Different educational institutions have different minimum criteria for admission based on these bands of proficiency and the validity of the result is of two years.Popularity of IELTS
IELTS is the most popular worldwide examination with over 3 million applicants each year. People from more than 140 countries give the examination from over 1100 regional test centres spread across the countries. The number has significantly risen from 1.4 million in 2009 to more than 3 million in 2017. In the last year, over 3.5 million people have given the examination for purposes of higher education and immigration. The increase in the numbers is indicative of the rise in the popularity and credibility of the examination across major educational institutions. IELTS is currently considered the best English proficiency test in the world and is still growing at a rate of 15% each year.Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be said that IELTS is the most popular and widely available examination judging the proficiency of non-native English speakers in the language for the purposes such as immigration to English speaking countries and pursuing higher education in the countries. The full form of the acronym IELTS is International English Language Testing System. The examination has four segments which are Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking with time allocations of 60 minutes each for Writing and Reading segments, 30 minutes for Listening and 15 minutes for speaking. The duration of the examination is 2 hours 45 minutes. The examination is held four times each month all year long and has ten Bands to denote the level of English language proficiency of the examinees with Band 0 indicating no proficiency and Band 9 denoting expert proficiency. IELTS offers two different types of proficiency tests which are IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training and is differentiated on the basis of the purpose of taking it.Important Full Forms | |
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