DIVING INTO THE IELTS SUB-TESTS

Listening

The listening Sub-test of the IELTS comprises of four sections. With ten questions in each section, there are altogether 40 questions in this part of the IELTS. 

The first and the second section tends to be associated with social needs; the first: a dialogue between two speakers, and the second: a monologue (only one person speaking). 

On the other hand, the third and the fourth section of the listening Sub-test are associated with training or education; the third can involve up to four speakers, and the fourth is a monologue. 

The listening Sub-test comprises: note completion questions, form completion question, multiple choice questions, and sentence completion questions; flow-chart completion, short-answer questions, matching, summary completion, map/plan/diagram labeling, and table completion.

The recording will be played for 30 minutes. You will only hear the recording once, and, therefore, you will be required to answer the questions as you listen to the recording. 

You will be given 10 minutes in the end to transfer your answers to the answer sheet provided to you. 

Reading

The reading subtests of the IELTS comprises of three sections. Each section consists of a text: an excerpt from books, magazines, newspapers and journals. These are general, academic text that contains charts or graphs, diagrams and at least one argument (they require no specialized knowledge). 

With 13 questions in the first and the second section and 14 questions in the third section, there are altogether 40 questions in this component of the IELTS exam . You must understand that the texts become progressively harder. You will be given 60 minutes to finish the IELTS reading test.  

Note: Unlike the listening subtest, you are not provided with extra time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. You should, therefore, separate some time to transfer your answers into the answer sheet provided to you.  

Writing 

The writing subtests of the IELTS comprises of two tasks. 

The first task requires you to write a descriptive report about a diagram, graph or chart (word count: 150 words). You will be given 20 minutes for the task. 

The second task of IELTS writing requires you to write a 250 words essay. It is recommended that you strictly follow a formal academic writing style (in both the tasks). You will be given 60 minutes to finish this part of the IELTS exam.

Note: Under length answers will be penalized. It is always a good thing to write more than 250 words.   

Marking Criteria for Writing:

There are certain aspects or criteria for assessing your IELTS writing tasks.

Task Response and Task Achievement: 
ü Addressing the tasks properly

Coherence and cohesion: 

ü Organizing information or ideas into paragraphs                         

ü Having one central idea in each paragraph

ü Using a range of linking devices        

        

Lexical Resource:

ü Using a range of words and paraphrasing

ü Using collocations

ü Spelling

ü Avoiding errors

Grammatical range and accuracy:

ü Using a range of sentence structures

ü Using a range of grammar tenses

ü Punctuation

ü Avoiding errors

Speaking                      

                                                           

The speaking subtest of the IELTS is a live, oral interview with an IELTS examiner. It is 11-14 minutes long. The speaking Sub-test comprises of three sections.

In the first section of the speaking Sub-test, the IELTS examiner will ask you for your personal information- just like any first meeting. There are general-topic questions.

In the second section of the speaking test, the examiner will present you with a card of topic and ask you to think or take notes for 1 minute. You will then be required to deliver a monologue on the given topic for 1-2 minutes. 

In the third section of the IELTS speaking test, you will be required to expand on section 2, but with more abstract ideas.

Marking criteria for speaking:

There are certain aspects or criteria that the IELTS examiner will take into consideration when marking you. It is, therefore, important that you try to cultivate these skills early during your speaking practice.

     Fluency and Coherence:  how well you can speak naturally without stopping too much and also being organized.

     Lexical Resource: the level and range of your vocabulary.

     Pronunciation: the pronunciation of individual words and phrase and sentence stress.

     Grammatical Range and Accuracy: the level and accuracy of your grammar.

Note: It is absolutely crucial that you read all the instructions carefully prior to attempting the questions on the IELTS test. Doing this increases your probability for obtaining a better score.