IELTS Speaking The International English Language Testing System
Why IELTS test? What are the advantages of having an IELTS certificate?1
Looking for
better job opportunities, higher education in the world’s top universities, or
living in your favorite dreamland? IELTS Certificate can help you fulfill your
future dreams as it is globally recognized as a standard English proficiency
test. In fact, IELTS is one of the most qualified and accepted tests worldwide;
it assesses your English language proficiency in work or educational context
where English is used as a means of communication. Its band score is scaled up
to 9, which is the highest score, and it identifies the candidate’s expertise
in different skills of language and communication. It’s important to note that
IELTS test is not biased and is fair to all candidates from different origins
or races.
There are two types of IELTS exam:
1. Academic Test
2. General Training Test
All test takers need to check for the required certificate prior to registering for the right version; it is true that each test evaluates the candidate’s expertise on the same four communication skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, & speaking, but there are differences in Reading and Writing modules, so candidates need to make sure to take the right test.
After all you shouldn’t forget that English is the third widely spoken language after Mandarin Chinese and Spanish and it is globally recognized; so if you master English you will easily get ahead both in your education and career.
IELTS Joint Owners: British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English. More info available in British Council Website.
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IELTS Academic vs. IELTS General
IELTS testing system offers two types of exams for candidates with different goals: Academic Test and General Training test. The academic test, as the name suggests, is suitable for academic situations; in other words, candidates who wish to study abroad and follow higher education they do need to take the academic test. Also, doctors or nurses who look for professional registration should do this test as well. General Training test is recommended to individuals who want to work abroad or in multinational companies or pursue secondary education overseas. It is also essential for migration to English speaking countries, like Canada. Some other non-English speaking countries may also accept it but you need to check in advance.
Well, you might have heard that the Academic test is much harder than the General training test, which is somehow true. Actually, both exams test you in four skills: LISTENING, READING, WRITING, & SPEAKING. Listening & Speaking sections are the same in both exams; however, there are differences in the other two main modules, reading and writing, which we will dig into the differences here.
The Academic test as the name suggests, tests you in academic contexts, so the readings are much longer and a little harder which are generally chosen from books, magazines, journals, or else which have a lot of unknown words or complicated languages or structures whereas General test has much shorter texts, especially in part 1 and 2, covering general interest topics.
The second difference is in Writing module. Both tests offer two tasks with the same time limit and the main difference is in task 1. Academic task 1 focuses on diagram description, comparison, summarizing or process description using your own words but in a formal language; on the other hand, the General test task 1 focuses on different forms of letter writing in personal, semi-formal or formal languages. However, task 2 of both tests remain the same which is an actual essay writing in response to a point of view, in a formal style.
In general, each test has its own merits and once you know the tests and their structures things get easier. Remember that everything is ok when you know the rules. Right? I mean if you get the hang of the test, it is less difficult. Just follow the tips and make sure to implement them in the actual test.
Good luck with your test.