IELTS
IELTS means International English Language Testing System and it is a test of English language proficiency. The test is designed to assess the language ability of non-native speakers of English who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication. Governments in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom use IELTS to process immigration applications as well. In fact, IELTS tests are now one of only two exams included on the UK government list of Secure English Language Tests (SELTs). IELTS assesses all of your English skills — reading, writing, listening and speaking, and is designed to reflect how you will use English at study, at work, and at play, in your new life abroad. The IELTS test is developed by some of the world's leading experts in language assessment. The Listening, Reading and Writing components of all IELTS tests are completed on the same day, with no breaks in between them. The Speaking component, however, can be completed up to a week before or after the other tests. Your test centre will advise. The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. There are two types of the IELTS test: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Listening and Speaking are the same for both tests, but the subject matter of the Reading and Writing components differs depending on which test you take. IELTS is recognized by over 9,000 organizations worldwide, including educational institutions, employers, governments, immigration authorities and professional bodies. Over 2 million people took the test last year. Test takers can take IELTS in more than 140 countries and in over 1,000 locations.
IELTS exam has 2 years of validity. The price for IELTS is NPR 18,250 for the test booked from April 2016 onwards. The payment deadline is 6 working days or the registration closure date (12 days before the exam date) whichever is earliest. The British Council offers IELTS tests in Kathmandu, Birtamod, Butwal, Biratnagar, Pokhara and Chitwan. Places are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that after the registration closure date and once all the test places have been assigned and the session is full, the test will no longer appear on our online registration system.
You will receive an SMS two days before the test date confirming the venue for your test and the timetable. So please make sure that you include your correct email address and mobile number while registering for IELTS. Visit British Council Nepal’s official website for more information, dates & location. Check the dates and apply online here.
We do help to take your date and make you fully prepared for IELTS. Join the preparation classes with our experienced teachers for the best score and make a bright future.
A Complete Format of IELTS Examination Test
Listening
Test Format – Listening (30 minutes)
You will listen to four recorded texts, monologues and conversations by a range of native speakers, and write your answers to a series of questions. These include questions that test your ability to understand main ideas and detailed factual information, ability to understand the opinions and attitudes of speakers, ability to understand the purpose of an utterance and the ability to follow the development of ideas. A variety of voices and native-speaker accents are used and each section is heard only once.
Section 1
A conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.
Section 2
A monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities.
Section 3
A conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context, e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment.
Section 4
A monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture.
Academic Reading
Test Format – Academic Reading (60 minutes)
The Reading component consists of 40 questions. A variety of question types is used in order to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognising writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose.
The Academic version includes three long texts which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. The texts are authentic and are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. These have been selected for a non-specialist audience but are appropriate for people entering university courses or seeking professional registration.
General Training Reading
Test Format – General Training Reading (60 minutes)
The Reading component consists of 40 questions. A variety of question types is used in order to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognising writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose.
The General Training version requires test takers to read extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment.
Academic Writing
Test Format – Academic Writing (60 minutes)
The Writing component of IELTS Academic includes two tasks. Topics are of general interest to, and suitable for test takers entering undergraduate and postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration.
Task 1
You will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.
Task 2
You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Responses to both tasks must be in a formal style.
General Training Writing
Test Format – General Training Writing (60 minutes)
The Writing component of IELTS General Training includes two tasks which are based on topics of general interest.
Task 1
You will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information, or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
Task 2
You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be slightly more personal in style than the Academic Writing Task 2 essay.
Speaking
Test Format – Speaking (11-14 minutes)
The Speaking component assesses your use of spoken English, and takes between 11 and 14 minutes to complete. Every test is recorded. The Speaking component is delivered in such a way that it does not allow people to rehearse set responses beforehand.
Part 1
The examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between 4 and 5 minutes.
Part 2
You will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have 1 minute to prepare before speaking for up to 2 minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic to finish this part of the test.
Part 3
You will be asked further questions connected to the topic in Part 2. These questions will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts between 4 and 5 minutes.
Wish you all the best.