Those who speak English as a second language sometimes use the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) as a way to demonstrate their ability. The British Council, Cambridge English Language Assessment, and IDP Education Australia own and run IELTS. Taking the IELTS exam will assist you in pursuing your academic and professional ambitions in nations like the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, as well as in obtaining a visa from a government agency.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re seeking a visa, a scholarship, or a job; the IELTS test is exactly the same in terms of content, examiners and structure. No matter how bad your exam results are, there is no limit to how many times you may repeat them. However, you should study more before your next attempt. Many test centres provide preparation courses and language lessons, but you may also discover information on how to prepare for the exam on the Internet.
The Academic IELTS and the General Training IELTS may both be used for university entrance. IELTS Life Skills is a new SELT recognised by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI).
Studying for the IELTS
Many institutions across the globe, as well as all UK universities and colleges, recognise IELTS test scores for international students. Student visa candidates may apply to UK colleges using an IELTS score from any of the more than 1,000 IELTS test centres globally, unless the university requires further documentation. The British Council uses several institutions as local agents to ensure the smooth running of the IELTS tests.
You should take the Academic IELTS exam if you’re thinking about pursuing a degree at the undergraduate or graduate level. For programmes that do not provide a degree, the General Training IELTS exam is adequate. Check which IELTS test you need to take to get into the school of your choice.
Students from outside the country will need to show that they have the necessary skills to succeed in an English-taught undergraduate or graduate degree programme. If you want to pursue a Master’s or PhD degree, you’ll need a higher IELTS score.
IELTS for work
Obtaining a visa to work in another country requires confirmation of your language skills. When it comes to landing a job, having the ability to communicate clearly and fluently in more than one language is an absolute must. A candidate for a work visa must have ‘competent’ or ‘vocational’ English ability. This needs more than basic conversational English.
- In the UK, all four portions of the test must be 6.5. (Reading, Speaking, Listening and Writing).
- Band 6 indicates that the candidate is a “fluent English speaker.”
- Work visa applicants in New Zealand must have an IELTS General or Academic module score of 4 or above. To demonstrate their proficiency in English, individuals may also offer extra information about their past and present locations as well as information on their family’s ability to speak and read in the language as well.
- Applicants in Canada should confirm the score criteria directly with the organisation they want to apply to. Employers and educational institutions often have their own language requirements.
It’s important to remember that the minimum score criteria differ by country and profession in all of these places. Various vocations need a minimum score of 6, whereas teachers, for example, need a minimum score of 7.
Tests for immigration
Governments utilise the IELTS exam as part of the citizenship or permanent residence application process. A person’s level of fluency in a second language has a significant impact on his or her ability to integrate into society and work. The exam is largely considered an efficient instrument for regulating the flow of immigrants by immigration authorities.
As part of the visa application procedure, the UK government has authorised a new Secure English Language Test (SELT). The test is called ‘IELTS for UKVI’. This implies that you may utilise this course to demonstrate your English language proficiency as part of your application to the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI). The IELTS Life Skills test requires A1 or B1 in CEFR speaking and listening (CEFR). Instead of band scores, you’ll find out whether you passed or failed the test at the conclusion of it.
The following is a list of examples.
- To enter New Zealand, you need an overall score of 6.5 in either the General Training or Academic modules. A visa application requires this.
- In addition to IELTS, there are Canadian Language Benchmarks.
- The Department of Immigration and Citizenship in Australia recognises both Vocational and Competent English.
Consult local authorities or institutions to learn more about immigration criteria, such as language proficiency and test results.
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