The document provides an overview of the IELTS exam, which assesses English proficiency. It describes the four components of the exam: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The Listening section involves answering questions about recorded texts. Reading consists of multiple choice and matching questions about three passages. Writing includes descriptive and argumentative tasks. Speaking is an interview assessing conversational ability. The document outlines the format, scoring, and challenges of each section to help students understand what to expect on the IELTS exam.

1. IELTSIELTS
((IInternationalnternational EEnglishnglish LLanguageanguage TTestingesting
SSystem)ystem)
Why do we need to know about it?Why do we need to know about it?
What does it look like?What does it look like?
How is it scored?How is it scored?
What do students tend to have problems with?What do students tend to have problems with?

2. Why do we need to knowWhy do we need to know
about it?about it?
 PSU accepts the IELTS forPSU accepts the IELTS for
admissionadmission
 Undergraduate score: 6.5 with 6.0Undergraduate score: 6.5 with 6.0
in each bandin each band
 Graduate score 7.0: overall (noGraduate score 7.0: overall (no
minimum band score needed!)minimum band score needed!)

4. More about scoringMore about scoring
 A score is reported for each test
component.
 The individual test scores are
then averaged and rounded to
produce an Overall Band Score.
 Overall Band Scores and
individual test scores are
reported in whole and half
bands.

5. Another reason we need toAnother reason we need to
know about itknow about it
More and more ofMore and more of
our students areour students are
taking it!taking it!

6. What does the whole testWhat does the whole test
look like?look like?
 IELTS is available in two formats –
Academic and General Training.
 Our students must take the Academic
version.
 Each format has 4 tests, one in each
of the skills.
 All test takers (in both the Academic
and General Training tests) take the
same Listening and Speaking tests.
The Writing and Reading tests are
different.

7.  The first 3 tests (Listening, Reading,The first 3 tests (Listening, Reading,
and Writing) must be taken the sameand Writing) must be taken the same
day.day.
 The Speaking test can be taken 7The Speaking test can be taken 7
days before or after (depending ondays before or after (depending on
the testing center).the testing center).
 There is no break between the tests.There is no break between the tests.

8. Academic FormatAcademic Format
Test Components and TimesTest Components and Times
1.1. Listening –Listening – 40 mins40 mins
2.2. Academic Reading –Academic Reading – 60 mins60 mins
3.3. Academic Writing –Academic Writing – 60 mins60 mins
4.4. Speaking –Speaking – 11 – 14 mins11 – 14 mins
____________________
~ 2 hr. 45 mins~ 2 hr. 45 mins

9. What doesWhat does
each testeach test
look like?look like?

10. 1st Test1st Test
(40 minutes)(40 minutes)
ListeningListening

11. ListeningListening
 Candidates listen to 4 recorded texts
– 2 conversations and 2
monologues.
 These feature a variety of English
accents.
 The recording is heard only once.
 Candidates are given time to read
the questions before each text starts.

12. Listening cont.Listening cont.
 They write down their answers in the
test booklet while they are listening.
 At the end of each section, they have
30 seconds to check their answers.
 At the end of the test, they are given
10 minutes to transfer their answers
to the official answer sheet.
 Poor spelling and grammar are
penalized.
 Writing more than is necessary is
penalized.

13. Listening TestListening Test
Question types:Question types:
 multiple choice
 short-answer questions
 sentence completion
 note/summary/flow-chart/table
completion
 labeling a diagram
 classification
 matching

14. Listening Section SampleListening Section Sample
 AudioAudio
 Tapescript for audioTapescript for audio
 Questions for audioQuestions for audio

15. Listening – CommonListening – Common
ChallengesChallenges
 Each recording played onlyEach recording played only
once.once.
 Must write and listenMust write and listen
simultaneously.simultaneously.
 Range of accents used.Range of accents used.
 Must follow line of argument orMust follow line of argument or
thought.thought.
 Unfamiliar vocabulary.Unfamiliar vocabulary.
 Correct spelling required.Correct spelling required.

16. 2nd Test2nd Test
(60 minutes)(60 minutes)
ReadingReading

17. Academic ReadingAcademic Reading
 There are three reading
passages with a total of 2000 –
2750 words.
 Texts are taken from books,
magazines, journals and
newspapers, all written for a
non-specialist audience.
 At least one of the texts
contains a detailed argument.

18. Academic Reading cont.Academic Reading cont.
Total of 40 questionsTotal of 40 questions
3 Categories of 10 Question3 Categories of 10 Question
Types:Types:
 Matching
 Gap fill
 Selection

19. Reading Section SampleReading Section Sample
 Reading A with questionsReading A with questions
 Reading A Answer KeyReading A Answer Key
 Reading B with questionsReading B with questions
 Readng B Answer KeyReadng B Answer Key

20. Reading Common ChallengesReading Common Challenges
 Time is short!Time is short!
 Unfamiliar topicsUnfamiliar topics
 Unusual question types, such asUnusual question types, such as
labeling a flowchartlabeling a flowchart
 Incorrect spelling and grammarIncorrect spelling and grammar
are penalized.are penalized.
 Writing more than is necessaryWriting more than is necessary
is penalized.is penalized.

21. 3rd Test3rd Test
(60 mins)(60 mins)
WritingWriting

22. Academic WritingAcademic Writing
 2 Tasks
 Candidates ADVISED 20 mins
for 1st task, 40 mins for 2nd
task
 Score based on:
Task achievement
Coherence and cohesion
Lexical resource
Grammatical range and accuracy

23. Writing – 1Writing – 1stst
tasktask
 Write a description of at least
150 words.
 Based on material found in a
chart, table, graph or diagram
 Demonstrates ability to present
information and to summarize
the main features of the input.

24. Writing Task 1 OrganizationWriting Task 1 Organization
 Introductory Sentence(s) –Introductory Sentence(s) –
describe the informationdescribe the information
presented in the graph….presented in the graph….
 General ObservationsGeneral Observations
 Specific ObservationsSpecific Observations
 Concluding Statement –Concluding Statement –
analysis of information garneredanalysis of information garnered
from the visualfrom the visual

25. Writing Task 1 SampleWriting Task 1 Sample
RubricRubric
TaskTask
1)1) Student WritingStudent Writing
• Score and CommentsScore and Comments
1)1) Student WritingStudent Writing
• Score and CommentsScore and Comments
3)3) Student WritingStudent Writing
• Score and CommentsScore and Comments

26. Writing – 2Writing – 2ndnd
tasktask
 Write a short essay of at least
250 words in response to a
statement or question.
 Demonstrate an ability to
present a position, construct an
argument and discuss abstract
issues.

27. Writing Task 2 SampleWriting Task 2 Sample
RubricRubric
TaskTask
1)1) Student WritingStudent Writing
• Score and CommentsScore and Comments
1)1) Student WritingStudent Writing
• Score and CommentsScore and Comments

28. Writing – Common ChallengesWriting – Common Challenges
 Task 1Task 1
 Analyze, select, and order dataAnalyze, select, and order data
 See general trendsSee general trends
 Identify key chunks of information andIdentify key chunks of information and
exceptions to general trendsexceptions to general trends
 Use complex sentence structureUse complex sentence structure
 Task 2Task 2
 Unfamiliar topicUnfamiliar topic
 Take a stand and argue it effectivelyTake a stand and argue it effectively

29. 44thth
(and final) Test(and final) Test
(11-14 minutes)(11-14 minutes)
SpeakingSpeaking

30. SpeakingSpeaking
 The test is a face-to-face
interview.
 Candidates are assessed on
their use of spoken English to
answer short questions
speak at length on a familiar topic
interact with the examiner

31. Speaking Test SectionsSpeaking Test Sections
1.1. Introduction and interview (4-5Introduction and interview (4-5
mins)mins)
 Give name and talk about self, family,Give name and talk about self, family,
and own life.and own life.
1.1. Individual long turn (3-4 mins)Individual long turn (3-4 mins)
 Given a card prompt.Given a card prompt.
 1 min to prepare1 min to prepare
 1-2 mins talk1-2 mins talk
 1 min answer related question from1 min answer related question from
examinerexaminer
1.1. Two-way discussion (4-5 mins)Two-way discussion (4-5 mins)
 Related to topic on the cardRelated to topic on the card
 Less personalLess personal

32. Speaking SectionSpeaking Section
 RubricRubric
 Video of Interview – 1Video of Interview – 1stst sectionsection
 Score and commentsScore and comments
 Video of Interview – 2Video of Interview – 2ndnd
sectionsection
 Score and commentsScore and comments
 Video of Interview – 3Video of Interview – 3rdrd
sectionsection
 Score and commentsScore and comments

33. Speaking – CommonSpeaking – Common
ChallengesChallenges
 Talking extensivelyTalking extensively
 VocabularyVocabulary
 Abstract topics in 3Abstract topics in 3rdrd
sectionsection

34. Online ResourcesOnline Resources
 http://www.ielts.org/http://www.ielts.org/
 Handbook, sample tasks, tips, etc.Handbook, sample tasks, tips, etc.
 http://www.world-http://www.world-
english.org/ielts_free_tests.htmenglish.org/ielts_free_tests.htm
 Free sample testsFree sample tests
 http://www.ielts-exam.net/http://www.ielts-exam.net/
 Info about the test and sample questionsInfo about the test and sample questions
 http://www.goodluckielts.com/index.htmhttp://www.goodluckielts.com/index.htm
 Info, tips, samples, etc.Info, tips, samples, etc.
 http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/
 Online graph makerOnline graph maker

35. The EndThe End