What is the main purpose of IELTS?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) has become the world’s leading test to assess English language skills for those that require reliable evidence of such skills for any of the following purposes:

* to study at a higher education institution where English is the language of communication

* to obtain a visa to study or work in an English speaking country

* to obtain a visa to take up residence in an English speaking country

The IELTS range of exams comprises both the Academic and General Training exams and well as the more recent Life Skills options. IELTS Life Skills tests at A2 and B1 levels are part of the UK’s Secure English Language Test scheme aimed at checking the general listening and speaking skills of family members of UK citizens wishing to take up permanent residence in the UK. Life Skills results are on a Pass-Fail basis whereas IELTS Academic and General Training are assessed on an overall scale from 0 to 9 which includes the four skills of Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. Countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK fix their own criteria in terms of the minimum score acceptable for immigration or short term work purposes, for example, Universities worldwide will do the same. (https://www.ielts.org/about-the-test/who-accepts-ielts-scores)

What having IELTS means

* IELTS is internationally recognised by thousands of institutions worldwide. This includes not only educational institutions but companies, professional bodies and government agencies.

* Academic IELTS is not only a pre-requisite to for university entry for non-native speakers but is also essential for those wishing to register with professional bodies and organisations. (https://www.ielts.org/what-is-ielts/ielts-for-work)

* General Training IELTS allows you to fulfill the English language requirements for immigration purposes and to find employment.

* Your IELTS score will be valid for a period of two years following the test date. This gives you the chance to present your IELTS report document to any private or public organisation during that two year time lapse without the need to take any further tests.

* The rigorous nature of the exam provides a proven, objective assessment of your English language abilities. The score you obtain thus gives you and any interested organisation a clear picture of your level and capabilities in the language. We can no longer rely on subjective, often anecdotal language proficiency labels such as “advanced level” but rather on a verifiable internationally accepted frame of reference that the IELTS band score provides.

* At the personal level, IELTS helps you to prepare for your future and achieve your goals .

* Learning never stops and the work that goes into IELTS test preparation will undoubtedly help to improve both your English language competence and performance.

* The satisfaction of raising your language proficiency has a value which includes but also goes beyond, your study or vocational goals. Take for example, the benefits for example of learning valuable social survival skills when studying for the General Training IELTS.

Test scores and “good” scores

* Remember the IELTS test is not a question of pass or fail. You receive an overall score which is the average of your 4 scores in each area of the test.

* What makes a good IELTS score?

There’s no one answer to that question. In a way, it’s very simple. If a university asks you to get an average of 7.0 with no score less than 6.