One of the most important English language certification tests for non-native speakers of the language who want to go abroad is the IELTS examination. IELTS examinations are divided into two primary categories: Academic and General Training, depending on the purpose of the application. For these two categories, there are four exam sets, the IELTS writing test, the IELTS listening test, the IELTS speaking test, and the IELTS reading test. The benefits of IELTS exam for students are immense in the world of education and linguistics, especially in the case of immigration. We will discuss the IELTS benefits in detail in the following blog.
IELTS listening test
The IELTS listening test will assess your listening and understanding skills in English. It is conducted within a 30-minute timespan and during this period a candidate needs to listen to several recordings of statements, news, or monologues in English. After that, the candidate is asked questions based on those recordings, and their answers are judged with some assessment parameters in mind.
IELTS speaking test
The IELTS speaking test will be a 15-minute test executed one-on-one between an examiner and a candidate. It takes about 14 minutes to complete the speaking test. It consists of 3 parts, the general interview section, the cue cards section, and the follow-up questions segment. Each section is designed to judge the particular aspect of a candidate’s speaking prowess in English.
IELTS writing test
The IELTS writing test is designed to judge the writing capabilities of an individual in the English language. This test is conducted within 60 minutes with 2 different sections of writing. The first segment has a minimum word limit of 150, and the second has a minimum word limit of 250. Both the segments are scored individually and the score is averaged out.
IELTS reading test
The IELTS reading test executes in 60 minutes during which a candidate needs to read 4 sections from some texts allotted to them. After that, they are asked to answer questions based on those segments. The text for Academic and General Training IELTS exams are different but the syntax of the test is the same and so are its marking criteria.
What are the Benefits of IELTS Exam?
There are many many benefits of clearing IELTS exam some of which are listed below.
Recognition over the Globe
One of the most important IELTS benefits is its recognition all over the world. It is accepted in over 11,000 organizations worldwide which includes top universities, colleges, professional firms, and immigrations.
Academic Opportunities
Another benefit of IELTS exam is its high acceptability rate in top universities and colleges. Thus, having a good IELTS score often enhances the chances of a candidate getting accepted into big educational institutes.
Career Opportunities
Several multinational companies have mandated the IELTS exam certificate for onboarding employees from different countries. Thus the IELTS exam and its score help a person to get a good designation in a good firm in a foreign land.
Immigration Criteria
Countries like Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand have mandated the IELTS certification for immigration when the applicant applies for a work permit or permanent residency. A good IELTS score helps get a smoother visa and immigration process.
Fairness of Assessment
The IELTS exam assesses every candidate with utmost fairness on the typical set of criteria they have devices for each set of exams. Its questions are based on real-world application of English and not just theoretical understanding. Hence its fairness is an added benefit of IELTS exam
What are the benefits of IELTS Exam for students?
Apart from the general benefits of the IELTS exam, there is substantial importance of the exam for students aspiring to study abroad. Below we have listed a few of the benefits of IELTS exam for students.
Improved English skills
One of the most important benefits of IELTS exam for students is its overall exam structure which evaluates every aspect of the English language and its understanding of a candidate. Hence during its preparation, an individual gets a better understanding of the English language which improves their English speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills all at once.
Available worldwide
Another benefit of IELTS exam for students is its worldwide availability. This exam is conducted regularly in a vast range of countries all over the world hence it is accessible by a huge quota of students who are willing to study abroad.
Separate format for students
The IELTS exam comes in two flavors, the General Training IELTS exam which is for immigrants trying to get work or immigration permits in a foreign country, and the Academic IELTS for students who are aiming to obtain higher education in a foreign country. The syllabus for both types are different and so are the preparation standards. Hence it is easier for students to prepare for the Academic IELTS exam without getting confused with generic questions.
No pass - No fail
The IELTS exam has no pass/fail system. This exam is scored entirely on a band system starting from 1 to 9. Based on your English speaking, reading, writing, and listening capability, you will receive a band for each exam and a cumulative IELTS exam score band. Hence the students are not demotivated after taking the IELTS exam as it doesn’t encourage the pass-or-fail system of general exams.
Score Validity
Another point in IELTS benefits is that its score is valid for a span of 2 years. Once you have obtained the desired score, it is valid for all purposes within a span of 2 years. Also, incase you take the IELTS exam again within these 2 years, the highest score will be considered among all the attempts.
Scoring system for the IELTS exam
One of the highest benefits of clearing IELTS exam is that its score is recognized universally. The bands and their significance are mentioned below.
Band Score
Significance
Band 1
Non-English User
Band 2
Intermittent English User
Band 3
Extremely limited English User
Band 4
Limited English User
Band 5
Modest English User
Band 6
Competent English User
Band 7
Good English User
Band 8
Very good English User
Band 9
Expert English User
Conclusion
Here at D-VIVID, we have an outstanding lineup of experts who are qualified to understand and analyze the potential of a candidate and advise them accordingly on the benefits of IELTS exam for students. The benefits of clearing the IELTS exam are not only academic advancement but also help an individual to gain more knowledge and clarity in English and help them have a flourishing professional career in a foreign country. Among other benefits of IELTS, comes the smooth immigration process for several countries where IELTS exam certification is a must for immigrating students and professionals. The IELTS exam is a benchmark for assessing the grasp of English for an individual willing to migrate to another country, hence getting a good band score is very important. That is where D-VIVID comes into the picture. Our specialized IELTS courses in all 4 segments of the IELTS exam will help you excel in each sector of the English language and make your IELTS preparation fun and intriguing. So without wasting any more time, give us a chance to help you.
How many types of tasks can be expected in the writing section 1 of the IELTS test?
For the General Training IELTS exam, there is only one task in section 1 of the writing test which is letter writing. As for the Academic IELTS exam, section 1 of the writing test can have diagrams, maps, building plans, bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, and tables.
Can I wear a watch in the IELTS test?
No, you are not allowed to wear a watch to any of the IELTS exams. If you are allowed to check the clock on the wall of the exam hall to check the time. You are not allowed to take any electronic devices in the examination hall during the IELTS exam.
What happens if I am color blind?
In case you have any physical disabilities that serve as an unfair disadvantage for your IELTS exam e.g. color blindness, then you need to inform the authorities of the IELTS test center beforehand. They will make arrangements for you so that your exam is smooth and fair.
Are the IELTS online and offline tests different?
No. The IELTS online exam and offline tests are both at par with each other in terms of the level of questions, assessment criteria, and types of expected responses.
Is it ok to make mistakes while writing and cross them over during the IELTS writing exam?
For the IELTS writing exam, minor mistakes are acceptable as long as you keep the overall paragraph clean. It is advisable to leave a substantial amount of time to rewrite the final draft of your essay without any errors after proofreading.