IELTS General Details
Why IELTS General?
This is a question which boggles everyone’s mind-
Widespread Acceptance
The IELTS General Training module is widely accepted for various purposes, such as immigration, job applications, and vocational training. Many organizations, including governments and educational institutions, recognize it as a valid assessment of English language proficiency.
Speaking Test Format
The one-on-one format for the Speaking test is a unique feature of the IELTS. Conducted in a private room, this setup allows candidates to interact directly with an examiner, creating a more natural conversation environment. This helps assess speaking abilities more effectively, as it mimics real-life communication scenarios.
Global Test Centres
IELTS has numerous test centres worldwide, making it accessible for candidates in many countries. You can easily find a centre through the official IELTS website, where you can also check available dates and register for the test.
Content and Vocabulary
While IELTS General Training is often perceived as more accessible than other tests (like the Academic module), it still evaluates essential language skills. The content focuses on everyday language and practical situations, making it relevant for daily communication and workplace interactions. This can make it feel less daunting, especially for those who may not be familiar with complex academic vocabulary.
Overall, the IELTS General Training module is designed to assess practical English skills, making it suitable for a broad range of candidates. If you’re preparing for the test or have specific questions about its content or structure, just let me know!
Who should take IELTS General
Who should take IELTS General?
Any candidate who is willing to work and immigrate to an English-speaking country, and for those wishing to train or study at below degree level has to write Ielts General. The test focuses on basic survival skills in broad social and workplace contexts.
Exam Details
Exam Details
IELTS General Training is intended for those planning to undertake non-academic training or to gain work experience, or for immigration purposes. And the scores are valid for a period of two years.
There are four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The Speaking and Listening tests are the same in both Academic and General modules, however the Reading and Writing tests are different.
The IELTS test is conducted in two days where the Speaking section is either conducted before the other 3 sections or after.
Exam Syllabus
Modules of the IELTS General Test in details
That's a good overview of the IELTS format! Each section is designed to assess different aspects of English proficiency:
Listening (30 minutes):
Exam Pattern
IELTS General (Exam Pattern)
| IELTS General | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2hr 55 min |
| Test Type | Paper Based |
| Score Range | 1.0 – 9.0 |
| Score Validity | 2 Years |
| Sections (in order as appears on actual test) |
|
| Evaluation | All sections are evaluated by human raters. |
| Listening Section | Students have to answer questions based on topics which relate to academics and social issues. |
| Speaking Section | Face to face interview by human rater on familiar topics. |
| Reading Section | 3 Sections, 40 questions |
| Writing Section | 1 letter writing and 1 Essay |
Scoring
Scoring IELTS General
This table can be used to convert raw scores (out of 40) to band scores (out of 9). This helps test takers understand how many correct answers they need to achieve a particular band score.
Listening and Reading Score Conversion
| Band Score | 9.0 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band Score Listening raw score | 39–40 | 37–38 | 35–36 | 32–34 | 30–31 | 26–29 | 23–25 | 18–22 | 16–17 | 13–15 | 10–12 | 8–9 | 6–7 | 4–5 |
| Reading raw score (General Training) | 40 | 39 | 37–38 | 36 | 34–35 | 32–33 | 30–31 | 27–29 | 23–26 | 19–22 | 15–18 | 12–14 | 9–11 | 6–8 |
Band scale
IELTS is scored on a nine-band scale, with each band corresponding to a specified competence in English. Overall Band Scores are reported to the nearest half band. The nine bands are described as follows:
| Expert User | Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding. |
| Very Good User | Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well. |
| Good User | Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriateness and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning. |
| Competent User | Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. |
| Modest user | Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field. |
| Limited User | Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language. |
| Extremely Limited User | Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur. |
| Intermittent User | No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
| Non User | Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words. |
| Did not attempt the test | No assessable information provided at all. |
Slot Booking
IELTS General Slot Booking
Step- 1
Find your nearest IELTS test location. There are more than 1100 test centers over 140 countries. Login to www.ielts.org to do this.
Step – 2
Register and pay the registration fee of Rs. 16,250/- online or download an application form to print, complete and submit to your local test center. A valid passport is mandatory as an identity. The test taker has to present the same identity document on the day of the test.
Note:IELTS Test Registration Fee has been revised to INR 16,250 for all test dates effective 7th January 2023 onwards.
Step – 3
The test center will provide a confirmation of the date and time of the test. The Speaking test time will be scheduled on a different day, within a 7-day window, before or after the written tests. The test center will confirm the Speaking test time.
NOTE: If the candidate is below the age of 18 years at the time of registration or on the test day, a duly filled consent form must be produced at the time of appearing for the examination.
On The Test Day
On The Test Day IELTS General
Allow plenty of time to travel to the test venue to ensure you arrive on time. If you arrive late, you will not be allowed to take the test. Bring your valid passport with you. Also, bring the pens, pencils and erasers which you need for the test. Focus on your test and try to do your best. Listen carefully to the test supervisor’s instructions.
Your personal belongings like mobile phones, bags and watches will be kept outside the test room. The only exception to this is to carry a transparent water bottle. The Listening, Reading and writing test takes 2hours 40 minutes, so make sure you eat and drink beforehand.
When you get the test papers, read the instructions carefully before you start with the test. As watched are not allowed inside the room, you are required to budget your own time. Every test room will have a clock on the wall.
Declaration of Results
Results will be available 13 days after the test. At some test centers test takers can collect their results on the 13th day. At others, results are mailed to test takers on the 13th day. Test centers are not permitted to give results out over the phone or by scan or email. A preview of the results will be available online 13 days after the test. Results will remain online for 28 days. Please note that the online preview of the results should not be used as an official confirmation of performance.
Score Reporting
IELTS General Score Reporting
IELTS can arrange for additional original copies (up to a maximum of five) to be posted to receiving institutions (e.g. universities, immigration officers, etc.). If you want them to do this, please include the relevant details during registration for IELTS either with IDP or British council.