IELTS- one of the most popular international tests in English language. There are two versions of the IELTS Test: regular and academic. Detailed information about the specifics and format of the exam can be found on the main page of this site.

IELTS Preparation in Moscow takes place in different formats: individually or in a group. Courses can be selected by time and location, price, size study groups. General information about preparing for the exam and useful tips You will find information on how to make this process as efficient as possible in the “IELTS Preparation” section.

IELTS exam consists of testing on paper (in terms of Listening, Reading, Writing), as well as interactive communication with the examiner. Testing takes place according to certain rules and laws developed by the creators and curators of IELTS. For more detailed information about the exam procedure and how to behave when taking the test, please see the IELTS Exam section.

IELTS test structure includes 4 sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, each of which assesses the candidate’s relevant skills. In all sections, the number of tasks and the time allocated for them are strictly defined. You can learn more about the sections of the exam in the section "Structure of the IELTS test".

What is IELTS and how to test your knowledge of English?

IELTS Listening– one of the sections of the test where it is necessary to demonstrate listening comprehension skills. More detailed information about the topics of audio recordings that will be offered for listening, as well as ways to prepare for this section, can be found in the "IELTS Listening" section.

Infographics: Commonly Confused Adjectives with Explanation

IELTS Reading– section of the exam, where you will be asked to answer questions based on the text you read. Types of texts, as well as types of questions in this section are posted on this page - " IELTS Reading".

IELTS Writing consists of 2 essay writing tasks. At the same time, the tasks in the general and academic versions of the exams are different. What is the difference? What is the description of graphs and tables? How long is the essay? You will learn all this from the information posted in the "IELTS Writing" section.

IELTS Speaking– one of the most difficult sections. It is the only one that is interactive. The task is not only to tell the examiner about yourself, but also to answer questions on a given topic and express your point of view on the problem. You will find information about what question topics exist in IELTS Speaking, as well as how to prepare for this section, in the “IELTS Speaking” section.

IELTS Certificate represents is an official document indicating your personal data and test scores (both for individual sections and for the entire exam as a whole). How long is the certificate valid? How can I order additional copies? How to get your certificate? You will find answers to these and other questions in the “IELTS Certificate” section.

IELTS scores are awarded for work in each section and for the entire exam as a whole. The maximum score is 9, the minimum is 0. The step on the IELTS scale is half a point. You will learn about which score corresponds to which level of language proficiency, as well as which score is considered good, in the “IELTS Scores” section.

Take IELTS in Moscow You can take it any Saturday at a special test center. For the IELTS exam, the cost for 2018 in Moscow is 14,000 rubles. (price may vary depending on course national currency), and in the regions - from 9,000 rubles to 16,000 rubles, depending on the city. Cost may vary depending on region. The cost is the same for IELTS General and Academic modules. The total test time (sections Listening, Reading, Writing) is 2 hours 45 minutes. The Speaking section takes 10-15 minutes and can be completed immediately after the written part or on another day. More full information about the exam procedure and other organizational issues can be found in the “Where to take IELTS” section.

All you need to know about the IELTS test:

IELTS courses- one of the most effective ways preparation for the exam. You can take a course individually or group classes, in person or remotely, long-term or one-time. More detailed information about the methods and results of preparing for IELTS in courses can be found in the “IELTS Courses” section.

Online IELTS tests will help you test your strength and get an idea of ​​what score you can expect on a real exam. We have prepared information for you about where you can take this test and what the conditions are. Go to the "Online IELTS tests" section.

Download IELTS test materials You can go to the “Download materials for the IELTS test” section, where we have posted examples of tasks, tips for test takers, and possible answer options.

IELTS practice test can be taken at many training centers in Moscow. You will learn about the procedure for passing this exam, as well as its pros and cons, from the “Trial” section. IELTS test".

IELTS in Moscow provides many opportunities both for preparation in leading centers with experienced teachers, and for passing the test. We present you options for preparing for the test in Moscow, a list of stores where you can purchase educational literature, as well as a list of IELTS test centers on the “IELTS in Moscow” page.

IELTS practice test online presented by the organizers and curators of the exam. It is available both in a truncated free version and for a fee. We will tell you about the advantages of this test and how to use it in the “IELTS online practice test” section.

IELTS or TOEFL: Which exam to choose? This dilemma faces many who want to go to study abroad. It would seem that the tests are almost identical (same structure, same focus). However, they have many differences. We will try to understand them in the section "IELTS or TOEFL". At the end of this article, it will be easy for you to make a decision and choose one of the tests.

Useful facts about IELTS, sample tasks, tips and tricks for passing the exam are posted in the "IELTS tips" section.

New articles about IELTS

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Testing system The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) was created to set a standard for determining the level of English language proficiency of those intending to study or work in English-speaking countries.
This system replaced the English Language Testing System (ELTS) in 1990. In 1995, the IELTS tests were revised and updated.

IELTS is administered by the University of Cambridge in England - Cambridge ESOL, the British Council and IELTS Australia: IDP Education Australia.

Taking IELTS required for admission to many British, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian universities, as well as for participation in many educational programs at secondary and professional level and in trainings.
IELTS is not recommended for those under 16 years of age.

What is included in IELTS?

All candidates for this exam must pass the Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking tests. Listening and Speaking tasks are the same for everyone. Reading and Writing tasks can be selected depending on the goals you set for yourself when taking IELTS. You can choose the Academic option - if you intend to study at an English-speaking university or graduate school, or General Training - if you are going to go to an English-speaking country to complete secondary education, work or take any courses, and also if you are planning to immigrate.

Reading– 60 minutes
As already mentioned, when taking the Reading test, you need to choose tasks from the academic (Academic) or general (General Training) direction. The academic version of the test includes texts that may be interesting and acceptable for those who are planning to study at English-language universities or graduate school. The texts of the General Training Reading option are texts of a more general topic; they cover various situations everyday life, social issues.
Both versions of the test consist of three sections, with a total of 40 tasks. Among them are such as choosing the appropriate answer option, filling in gaps in the text, finding the necessary information for short answers, determining the mood and views of the author.

Writing– 60 minutes
Before you begin completing the tasks of this test, you also need to select one of the options - Academic or General Training Writing. The academic version of the test requires the writing of short essays or general reports addressed to teachers or an educated, but not professionally specialized, audience. General option assignments include writing personal, semi-formal, and formal letters, or an essay on a given topic, as a class assignment.

Both test options include two required tasks. The first task requires writing a text of at least 150 words, the second - 250 words. The first assignment of the academic option will require you to provide a written interpretation of a chart, table, or other similar data. To complete the first task of the general version, you need to write a letter to resolve a specific issue. In the second task, a controversial point of view, someone’s opinion, or a problem is presented, about which you need to express yourself in writing, starting from specific facts, proposing your solution, giving reasons for it and developing your ideas regarding the proposed topic.

Listening– about 30 minutes
Listening is a listening comprehension test English speech on general level. The test includes four parts. The tasks of the first two parts are based on various situations of everyday life, the second two parts are more related to learning objectives. Among the texts offered for listening, there are both monologues and dialogues between two or three people. Audio recordings are only allowed to be listened to once.

The 40 test tasks include selecting the appropriate answer, briefly answering questions, filling in gaps in a text, table or diagram, dividing words or sentences into groups, writing down missing information, etc.

Speaking– 11-14 minutes
The test takes the form of an oral interview between the examiner and the examinee and consists of three parts. Tasks of different parts require different communication options between interlocutors, different formulations of tasks and, accordingly, different ways of completing them.

In the first part you need to answer general questions about yourself, your family, study/work, hobbies, etc. This will take 4-5 minutes.

In the second part, the candidate for the exam is offered verbal material (photography, picture, graph, etc.) and given the task to speak on a certain topic. One minute is allotted for preparation, 2-3 minutes for speech. The examiner then asks one or two questions about this topic.

In the third part, the examiner and the examinee engage in a discussion about more abstract topics that are related to the issues covered in the second part of the test. The discussion lasts 4-5 minutes.

Before taking the IELTS exam

Most people wishing to take IELTS take special preparatory courses, which can last from 8 to 24 weeks. Taking such courses is not necessary, but it can help you understand the specifics of passing the exam and prepare for tasks that at first glance may seem difficult, but are not difficult for a person familiar with this form of work.

If you would like to try the exam, and if you are currently studying English, talk to your teacher about IELTS preparation. If you are not currently studying English, you can get advice from your local authorized Cambridge ESOL exam centre.

Tutorials and practical materials for IELTS preparation can be purchased from publishers, a list of which can be obtained from the UCLES organization or from the UCLES website www.cambridgeesol.org/support/publishers_list/index.cfm.

Here are some of them:
Bloomsbury Reference (including Peter Collin Publishing) – www.bloomsbury.com/easierenglish
Cambridge University Press – publishing.cambridge.org/ge/elt/exams/ielts/
Express Publishing – www.expresspublishing.co.uk/showclass.php3
Longman – www.longman.com/exams/IELTS/index.html
Oxford University Press – www.oup.com/elt/global/catalogue/exams/

To get ready in the best possible way, it is necessary to use a variety of materials. Thus, alone teaching aids will have to be supplemented with others. Care must be taken in selecting study guides and support materials to ensure they meet the requirements and content of the IELTS exam.

UCLES does not undertake to provide advice on the choice of a particular textbook or training course.

Examples of IELTS tests

Options for exams that have already been administered can be used in the preparation process. These are available from your local UCLES office.

Written answers from the exam can also be taken from the UCLES office or on the website of this organization. However, we do not recommend focusing primarily on practicing similar tests during your preparation, as this alone will not improve your English proficiency.

You can see examples of IELTS tests on the official website.

Assessment of tests and issuance of results

IELTS has a scoring system that determines the level of language proficiency demonstrated during testing. It is impossible to “fail” this exam; When taking a test, you need to set the goal not to “pass” the exam, but to show the highest possible level of language knowledge.

The ranges of scores for each of the four sections, as well as the overall percentage of scores, are systematized into nine groups, the so-called “Bands”. They are marked on the assessment sheet - “Test Report Form”. The assessment is accompanied brief description level of language knowledge.

The level demonstrated during testing and reflected on the evaluation sheet is considered to be valid for two years. It is assumed that over a longer period of time the level of proficiency foreign language may change noticeably.

Results are reported within two weeks of testing.

Characteristics of different levels of language proficiency according to the IELTS system

9 EXPERT USER Speaks the language perfectly, competently, consciously and easily uses the necessary language structures in appropriate situations.
8 VERY GOOD USER He speaks the language perfectly, making only some inaccuracies and mistakes from time to time. Misunderstandings can only arise in unfamiliar situations. In a discussion he can convincingly and weightily argue his point of view, using complex structures language.
7 GOOD USER He speaks the language well, although from time to time he makes mistakes and in some situations shows misunderstandings. In general, can handle complex language structures and understand extended reasoning.
6 COMPETENT USER Basically, he speaks the language well, despite some errors, inaccuracies and misunderstandings. Understands and uses fairly complex language structures, especially in familiar situations.
5 MODEST USER He speaks a little language, grasps the basic necessary information in most situations, although he makes many mistakes. Can use knowledge of English to a limited extent in their field of work.
4 LIMITED USER Language use is limited to familiar situations. Often has difficulty understanding and expressing his own thoughts. Unable to use complex language structures.
3 EXTREMELY LIMITED USER Only catches the most general information and expresses his thoughts only in the most general terms and only in familiar situations. Often appears unable to communicate in English.
2 INTERMITTENT USER Uses only single words or short phrases in familiar situations. Normal communication is impossible except for the exchange of the simplest and most basic information. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
1 NON USER Cannot use language except perhaps a few times individual words.
0 DID NOT ATTEMPT THE TEST There is no data to evaluate the candidate's knowledge.

Where to take IELTS

International English Language Exam IELTS has not lost its popularity in Russia for many years. For training courses IELTS in Yaroslavl a large number of students regularly enroll in our School. What kind of exam is this? Who needs it and why? What parts does it consist of? IELTS?

IELTS(abbreviation for The International Language Testing System) - This international exam in English, the results of which are accepted in many countries around the world for admission to universities and employment, as well as when obtaining a residence permit in English speaking country. In Russia exam results IELTS Many international companies, as well as universities, where some subjects are taught in English, are accepted as proof of English language proficiency.

There are two types of exam: academic module ( the Academic Module) and general module ( the General Training Module). The academic module is usually taken for admission to a university abroad or for enrollment in advanced training courses in which the working language is English. Take the general module IELTS required for enrollment high school in an English-speaking country, to confirm the level of language proficiency to the employer, as well as to obtain citizenship of Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and a number of other countries.

Both modules consist of four parts: listening ( Listening), reading ( Reading), letters ( Writing) and oral speech ( Speaking). The Listening and Speaking sections are the same in both modules, but the Reading and Writing sections are different.

What does the IELTS exam consist of?

As I already said, the exam consists of four sections, and each section in turn is divided into four parts. What awaits us in each part? Let's go in order.

Section 1. Listening

• It takes about 30 minutes, plus 10 minutes at the end of the test to transfer the answers to the exam form. What do you need to know about this part of IELTS?
• Listening in academic and general IELTS modules is no different.
• The themes of the spoken texts in parts 1 and 2 of the listening test are related to simple situations everyday communication(a call to a realtor, a visit to a doctor, etc.), but in parts 3 and 4 you will hear texts on academic or professional topics (a description of the structure of a water mill, the flora and fauna of New Zealand, etc.).
• The difficulty level increases from part 1 to part 4.
• You will only hear each recording once.
• The instructions and tasks for each part will be provided in the exam booklet that you will be given.
• Before each listening there is a short pause during which you can read the task.
• Before each part, you will hear a description of the situation in which the text will be presented, but this information will not be printed in the exam booklet.
• Spelling is extremely important in the listening part. If you write a word with at least one mistake, the answer will not be counted as correct.

Types of texts and tasks in the “Listening” part

Chapter	Quantity questions	Types text
1	10	A conversation or interview involving two speakers in simple everyday theme, for example, an appointment with a doctor, a conversation on the phone with an insurance agent, etc.
2	10	A monologue on an everyday topic, such as an excerpt from an audio guide or an excerpt from a radio broadcast.
3	10	A conversation between two, three, or four speakers about an educational topic, such as a discussion with a professor about the results of two students' project.
4	10	An academic monologue, usually a lecture or presentation.

The types of tasks in the IELTS Listening section are varied: completing notes with one or more words, filling in forms, tables and gaps in sentences. Sometimes you will be asked to sign a map, plan or diagram. Multiple choice tasks may be presented, where you must choose one or more correct answer options.

Section 2. Reading

This part of the exam is divided into general and academic IELTS modules.

Academic reading Only taken by candidates applying for the IELTS Academic Module. General reading taken by IELTS General Module candidates. The structure and format of assignments in the general and academic reading modules are the same, but the texts differ: the academic module consists of texts on scientific topics.

Structure of the IELTS Reading section

The following types of tasks may be encountered in IELTS reading: multiple choice, selecting “yes-no-the text doesn’t say” options, filling out tables, adding missing information summary text, etc.

Section 3. Letter

Writing in academic and general modules differs.

Structure and content of the Writing section in the IELTS academic module

Structure and content of the Writing section in the IELTS General Module

Section 4. Speaking

This section of IELTS is the same for both modules and is an interview with an examiner. "Speaking" usually takes place on the day before or after the written exam, which includes listening, reading and writing.

Structure and content of the Speaking part of the IELTS exam

Do you want to see how it goes? oral part IELTS exam? Click here!

IELTS exam level system

The IELTS score is given on a scale from 1 to 9. Candidates achieving a score of 9 speak English perfectly, fluently and without errors, using a wide range of different languages. lexical units and grammatical structures and, as a result, can communicate without problems in English in professional and academic situations. Those who pass IELTS with a score of 7 also speak English fluently and use complex language structures, making very few minor errors that do not interfere with communication. A score of 5 and below means that the candidate limited opportunities use of the English language: in his speech there are communicatively significant speech, grammatical, pronunciation and other errors.

Before taking the IELTS exam, it is a good idea to find out what score is required by the organization asking you for the certificate. This is usually open information, posted on company websites.

IELTS grading system

• In the Listening Part of the exam, you will be offered 40 tasks. One correctly completed task - one point.
• In the “Reading Test” section, you are also asked to complete 40 tasks, with a point for each completed correctly. This is how both the academic module and the general module are assessed. However, when converting scores (0 to 40) into an IELTS score (1 to 9) for the same number of correct answers, candidates will receive a higher grade for the academic module as academic reading contains more complex texts.
• The “Writing Test” section, both in general and in academic modules, is assessed according to the following criteria: solving a given communicative task (Task Achievement and Task Response); logical connection of the text (Coherence and Cohesion), lexical and grammatical diversity of speech (Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range) and the absence of errors in speech (Accuracy). For each of the criteria you can get an equal number of points, which are assigned by the expert after reading the work.
• During the Speaking Test, candidates are assessed based on the following criteria: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Pronunciation.
• After you have passed the exam, your scores (up to a maximum of 40 for each of the four parts of the exam) are recalculated using a special formula into a score from 1 to 9, which will be reflected in your certificate.

Preparation for the IELTS English language exam in Yaroslavl

Dmitry Nikitin's language school successfully prepares for the international English language exam IELTS in Yaroslavl. Detailed information can be found at

Methodology

There are two types of test, Academic(designed for people who want to get higher education in educational institutions where instruction is conducted in English) and General Training(designed for people planning to immigrate to the above English-speaking countries).

A special feature of the Academic test is increased level Difficulty of the Reading section and Writing section tests compared to the same tests in General Training.

IELTS consists of 4 sections, which are taken in the following order: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking.

• Listening - lasts 40 minutes, of which 30 are direct listening plus 10 minutes for transferring answers to the form
  • dialogues on everyday topics
  • monologues on a given topic
• Reading - exactly one hour (you must answer questions about the texts (usually there are 3))
• Writing - exactly one hour
  • Task One. Academic: Describe a diagram or table in 150 words. General: Write a letter
  • Task Two. Essay of 250 words, topic given in the assignment
• Speaking - from 11 to 14 minutes. In this module, the candidate undergoes a one-on-one interview with an examiner. In case of appeal, the interview is recorded.

The rating scale ranges from 0 (“did not attempt to pass the test”) to 9 (“user is an expert”).

Test structure

All candidates must complete 4 sections - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The Listening and Speaking sections are the same for everyone, while the Reading and Writing sections differ depending on which version of the test is chosen - Academic or General.

The total test duration for the Listening, Reading and Writing sections is approximately 2 hours 45 minutes. These three modules are always completed in this order, and without interruptions. The Speaking section may be taken separately, depending on the test center, with an interval of 7 days before or after the remaining modules.

• Listening 40 min. For the first 30 minutes, the recording is played centrally; for the remaining 10 minutes, candidates write down their answers on the questionnaire.
• Reading 60 min
• Writing 60 min

Rating scale

IELTS results are assessed on a 9-point scale covering possible levels of English proficiency. Scores may be rounded to the nearest half point.

9 User - expert

Full command of the language: adequate, clear and fluent with full understanding.

8 Very good user

Fully speaks the language, with the exception of some inaccuracies. In some uncharacteristic situations, misunderstanding may appear. Able to argue his position in detail.

7 Good user

He speaks the language well, despite some inaccuracies and misunderstandings. Demonstrates overall good command of the language and a clear detailed understanding.

6 Competent user

In general, he speaks the language well, despite some inaccuracies. Has a relatively good command of the language, particularly in standard situations.

5 Moderate user

Has limited command of the language, generally demonstrates understanding of most situations, although he makes many mistakes. Capable of basic communication.

4 Restricted user

Basic knowledge of the language is limited to standard situations. Often has problems with complex language structures.

3 Extremely restricted user

Demonstrates only a rough understanding of very standard situations.

2 Intermittent user

In reality, communication is impossible, except in the most standard situations using single words and short formulations.

1 Not speaking the language

Generally unable to use language except for a few isolated words.

0 Didn't try to pass the test

No information provided for evaluation.

Conversion table

This table can be used to convert Listening and Reading scores into a final grade. This is only approximate, since in specific cases the score may depend on the complexity of the exam.

Fraud

October 2009, Gurgaon, India(Indian Express.com)

June 2010, Perth, Western Australia (The Australian)

Where is testing carried out?

IELTS tests are administered at 500 locations in 121 countries. The number of candidates increased from 80 thousand in 1999 to 1.2 million in 2009.

In 2007, the most candidates were assessed in the Academic category in the following countries: China, India, Pakistan.

Testing is carried out 48 times throughout the year. Each testing center can conduct testing up to 4 times a month, depending on the needs of a particular region. There is usually a minimum limit of 90 days before you can retake the exam, but this has now been removed.

After the British Council ceased commercial activities in 2008, three independent organizations began to conduct the exam in Russia - VKS IELTS Center (the first official center for taking the international exam since 2005), Students International IELTS Test Center and Bookhouse.

Exam results

As of 2007, the countries with the best scores in the Academic category were:

IELTS Study Requirements

About 51% of candidates take the IELTS test to study abroad. Specific requirements may vary depending on your specific educational institution. However, in general, English-speaking countries require a higher score.

United States

The highest requirements - 8.5 points - exist at the Columbia University School of Journalism, which is the only one that sets such requirements.

Moritz College of Law State University Ohio requires an 8.0 score.

MIT requires a 7.0.

Saint Louis University requires a 6.0 GPA.

United Kingdom

The University of Warwick has the highest requirements - 8.0 points - for a Doctor of Science in Marketing degree. Most schools have requirements ranging from 5.5 to 7.0.

University	Minimum IELTS score
Oxford University	7.0
University of Edinburgh	7.0 (All programs in Business, Management, Finance, Law, English Literature and Celtic/Scottish Studies)
Cambridge University	7.0
Glasgow University	6.5 (General)/ 7.0 (Faculty of Arts & Humanities)
University of Aberdeen	6.5 (General) / 7.0 (Taught Degrees in Engineering)
University College London	6.5/7.0/7.5 (depends on UCL’s individual faculty/department requirement)
Imperial College London	6.5 (7.0 for the Life Sciences Department and the Imperial Business School)
Exeter University	6.5
Liverpool University	6.0
Birmingham University	6.0
Essex University	5.5

Germany

The University of Stuttgart requires a minimum score of 6.0, as do most German institutions.

Italy

The Polytechnic University of Turin requires a 5.0 grade. Majority Italian universities require 7.0

Kazakhstan

IELTS for immigration purposes

A number of British Commonwealth countries use this exam as evidence of an immigrant's proficiency in English.

Australia

Australian immigration authorities have used IELTS since May 1998. In general, it is advisable for candidates for independent migration to demonstrate proficiency in English of at least 7.0 points in the IELTS assessment in each section. The minimum level is 6.0 points in each section. This minimum means that the immigration applicant will score less on the test assessing his suitability for immigration.

Citizens of English-speaking countries (United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, USA, Republic of Ireland) can choose to take the minimum level without any tests, or take IELTS up to level 7.0 to get additional points.

New Zealand

New Zealand has used IELTS since 1995. Candidates must score an overall Academic or General score of at least 6.5 points. Those who do not comply with this requirement may pay a separate fee of 20 thousand New Zealand dollars. This money is returned if the candidate successfully learns English within a period of 3 to 12 months after immigration.

Canada

Canadian immigration authorities assign points to immigration candidates based on scores in individual IELTS sections. To get maximum points, it is enough to get 6.5 points in all sections except Listening, which requires 7.5 points.

United Kingdom

Depending on the type of immigration program, it is required GPA from 4.5 to 6.5. An alternative would be a university degree from an institution where the majority of instruction was conducted in English.

Other tests

• TOEIC

Notes

Links

International English language exams
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
Most Popular	TOEFL IELTS,FCE,TOEIC
Cambridge (ESOL)	General English: KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE; Professional English: BEC, BULATS, ILEC, ICFE; Academic English: IELTS
American	TOEFL (PBT, CBT, IBT), TOEIC
Other	UNIcert, GRE

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Today I will share personal experience and I’ll tell you about how to pass IELTS. I took IELTS (Academic) in 2006 in London. My initial practical goal was the CPE certification. But it so happened that the agency, through whose efforts I was able to obtain a visa to the UK the first time, could offer me educational program at ISIS Greenwich School of English only for IELTS. And despite the fact that neither immigration nor admission to a foreign university interested me, I still decided to take IELTS, since I needed an international certificate for work.

I deliberately studied the structure and nature of CPE tasks for several weeks, and when the situation turned in favor of IELTS, I had exactly 1 month left before taking it. And considering that this was my first visit to England and I was incredibly interested in all kinds of excursions, walks and trips around the country, I was pleased with my result, especially Speaking): Listening - 7.0, Reading - 6.5, Writing - 7.0, Speaking - 8.0, overall score - 7.0. So how to pass IELTS?

What is IELTS?

Briefly about the international IELTS exam in the form of frequently asked questions and answers:
— What is IELTS?
— IELTS — International English Language Testing System. The test has two modules: Academic Module and General Training Module and was developed by three organizations: University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, IDP Australia and British Council. IELTS is one of the most popular international language exams - 1,400,000 people take it every year in 135 countries, and IELTS certificates are accepted by about 6,000 educational institutions.

— What is the structure of IELTS?

— IELTS consists of 4 parts: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, while the Listening and Speaking modules are the same for all examinees, while Reading and Writing are much more difficult for those taking Academic IELTS.

— How long does IELTS last and how is it passed?
— IELTS lasts 2 hours 45 minutes and is taken in two stages: the main part (Listening, Reading, Writing) takes place on one day, the Speaking part can take place on the same day, or a day (or two) before or after the main part of the exam . You will be informed in advance about the date, time and location of the Speaking.

— What does the IELTS certificate provide? Who needs it?
— Passing the IELTS exam is a necessary step when entering foreign universities, as well as in case of immigration or obtaining a visa to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other English-speaking countries

— How is knowledge assessed when taking IELTS?
— The IELTS certificate is valid for two years. Maximum score - 9.0:


In this case, each module is assessed separately (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) and the overall score for the entire exam is calculated. It is this total score that is taken into account when entering foreign university(Academic IELTS) or immigration (General IELTS).

Perhaps some of my recommendations for passing IELTS will seem banal. But sometimes even from some simple advice heard in right time, you can get a lot of benefits. Let me remind you that these are my personal conclusions based on the experience of passing Academic IELTS and the experience of passing General IELTS of my students.

1. Be positive and confident! Since you are taking the exam, it means this is very important for you. More precisely, the result is very important. Mobilize and give 100% on this day. Believe that you will get the score you want.
2. If you have the opportunity to take IELTS in the UK ( English speaking country), don't lose it. I deliberately wanted to take the international English exam in England, because I saw a certain meaning in English environment, talk a lot with native speakers before the exam. And I was not mistaken - all this one way or another helped me to relax and focus on the language as much as possible, because the atmosphere in language schools is usually very friendly, the teachers are professionals high level; you get drawn in quickly and don’t want to leave later)
3. The night before the exam, go to bed early to ensure you get a good night's sleep. As the British say: “Don’t burn the midnight oil” - sleep better than midnight oil on eve of exams.
4. During the exam attentively listen to the examiners' instructions and hang on their every word. Even if you know the essence of the task by heart, do not neglect additional explanations.
5. Do not try to cheat or peek at answers from other examinees - such behavior will lead to disqualification and you will be asked to leave the exam room without explanation. No one will stand on ceremony, that's for sure.
6. IELTS is a difficult exam, and like any other international exam, it requires strong knowledge of the English language. It is impossible to pass IELTS at 7.0 with a level of English proficiency Intermediate language and below. More precisely, you can pass it, but it will be a matter of your money and time. I recommend that you fully complete all levels, including Upper-Intermediate, and only then begin preparing for IELTS, which will take you a maximum of 3 to 4 weeks.
7. There is an opinion that it is not difficult to pass IELTS with a decent score (usually 7.0) - just learn the structure of the exam and the nature of the tasks. This is a myth. Knowledge of the structure is important, but without solid knowledge of the language, I repeat, it is meaningless.
8. In addition to a clear understanding of the structure and nature of IELTS tasks, maximum concentration is required.
9. Details matter much - missing ending, spelling mistakes, incorrect pronunciation words, confusion with tenses will sometimes cause lower scores.
10. Naturalness and ease when speaking is the key to a high score.
11. The ability to use linking (link) words is also highly valued.
12. Erudition, general development, ability to navigate in different life situations, a practical approach to solving everyday and educational problems, as well as such personal qualities flexibility, creativity, ability to analyze and synthesize will serve you well in Writing and Speaking.

IELTS Listening Module

Be sure to review the text of the assignments, identify key words and predict answers before you start listening.

IELTS Reading Module

Be prepared for these types of exam tasks:

• Completion
• Matching
• True/False/Does Not Say or Yes/No/Not Given
• Multiple choice
• Labeling
• Short answer questions
• Classification
• Headings
• Locating information

1. When completing assignments for the Reading section, try to think generally, objectively, even, I would say, globally. For example, I consider my incorrect answer to the task: “List all European countries mentioned in the text." I have included all the necessary ones except the UK. Stupid mistake, I even remember that for some reason I deliberately did not include it in the list.
2. Don't waste precious minutes to understand the meaning of each word, try to guess their meanings.
3. Carefully study the headings, questions and tasks for the text - this will help you tune in to the desired topic and guess the correct answers.
4. Watch a useful video about IELTS Reading:

IELTS Writing Module

1. If you are taking IELTS (Academic), then when describing graphs you cannot do without 20-30 learned clichés. In order to remember these phrases, you need practice, of course. Describe 10 - 20 graphs, each time analyzing errors and comparing your answer with model answers. By “comparing” I mean not just reading the sample, but writing it down useful expressions and be sure to try to include them in your next written work.
2. Writing down and remembering key phrases is also necessary when writing an essay. In general, any work aimed at memorizing vocabulary and grammatical structures is justified only with subsequent active use in written and oral speech.
3. Watch a useful video about IELTS Writing.

IELTS Speaking Module

1. During the exam, the Speaking part is preceded by a short break (provided that Speaking is carried out on the same day), which must be used wisely: rest, eat, drink. After all, after 3 modules Listening, Reading and Writing you will get tired; exam is stressful.
2. During the dialogue with the examiner, be thoughtful, do not rush to answer immediately, but do not hesitate to answer.
3. Be natural, conduct the dialogue in the same way as you would in a conversation native language: use gestures, facial expressions, pause-fillers in moderation.

Where to prepare for IELTS

Experienced teachers at the English Voyage online school will help you prepare and pass IELTS with the desired score. Preparing for IELTS via Skype is an effective way to your success in English.

How to prepare for IELTS on your own

If you can easily pass Upper-Intermediate English language tests, then you are ready to take such a serious exam as IELTS.

1. Study the exam structure in detail. To do this, write down on a piece of paper all the parts of the exam, their duration and the nature of the tasks. Revisit this note again and again until you have mastered it, as knowing the structure is the foundation of any exam; Such information will help you feel confident during the test and navigate what is happening.
2. It is advisable to prepare Listening and Reading yourself - here you just need to organize yourself and not be lazy. For example, to begin with, good listening practice can be obtained by working through audio files