Suppose you wish to study or work in a country where English is the primary language of communication, you must assure the university and VISA officers that you are proficient in the language.

If you can read this article, that means you’re comfortable with the language. All you need to do is become familiar with the IELTS exam format and understand how much it will cost to take the test.

Also, book a date at the nearest test center and use the suitable IELTS preparation material to prepare for the big day.

In this article, I’ll talk more about what IELTS is all about and the time frame you can spend taking the course.

What is IELTS?

IELTS, in full, stands for International English Language Testing System. It is an examination that assesses your English language skills in terms of spoken and written English.

The IELTS exam measures your listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills through two test formats, IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.

While IELTS Academic can be taken up by those who wish to go for higher education or professional registration. IELTS General Training is for those looking to migrate to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK for academic and work purposes.

The test has been designed and is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP, IELTS Austalia, and Cambridge English Language Assessment.

IELTS Eligibility Criteria

• Anyone above the age of 16 years can take the IELTS test.
• If you wish to study, work, or migrate to the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand

IELTS Exam Dates

You can take the test four times a month. Visit the official IELTS website, choose your country and the closest examination center which is convenient for you.

Along with the kind of exam you want to take, IELTS Academics and IELTS General Training. You will then see the available test dates.

Then, you can go ahead and fill up the application form.

IDP and the British Council offer the test on 48 fixed dates in a year, running four times a month.

The yearly schedule is available on their website. Register for one month to secure your place on your preferred day at your chosen test center.

The registration and exam fee for the IELTS exam differs in each country.

Therefore, the costs are subject to change, so check the official site for the latest IELTS fees in your country.

Currently, it is USD 215 in the USA, INR 13,250 in India, GBP 162 in the UK, and RMB 1,960 in China, which tend to change with time.

For online registrations, only credit and debit payment is accepted.

IELTS Exam Pattern & Syllabus

In two hours and forty-five minutes, the IELTS will aim to assess your listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills in the English Language.

The tests, IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, differ in their reading and writing components while listening and speaking tests are the same for both.

You have to take all three – listening, reading, and writing tests without any breaks in that order. The speaking test can be the same day or seven days before or after the exam.

Listening

You will get 30 minutes to answer several questions based on four pre-recorded audio tapes you will hear.

There will be conversations related to everyday life and in an educational setting. In addition, two recordings will be monologues on an academic subject and in a social context.

Your answers will show your understanding of the crux of the conversation, the detailed factual information, opinions, and attitudes of speakers, and the ability to follow how the ideas develop.

Speaking

Around 15 minutes are dedicated to the speaking section, where the examiner will speak to you on various topics such as work, family, studies, interests, or anything else.

You will then be given a topic and one minute to prepare to be able to speak on the subject for two minutes. After that, the examiner will ask you more questions on the same topic.

Reading

Reading is a 60-minute test involving reading long texts from several sources.

For IELTS Academic test takers, the test will be descriptively suitable for those wishing to appear for university courses.

For IELTS General Training, you will read extracts related to life in general in English-speaking environments.

Based on the above, you will be required to answer 40 questions.

This test aims to evaluate your reading skills and how you can exactly grasp the logical argument and the writer’s opinion.

Writing

For the writing test, the assessors will judge you based on your ability to describe or summarise some text, argument, data, figures, graph, and the like depending on your test.

You will be required to write the same in a formal, semi-formal, or informal style, depending on the task, in 60 minutes.

What is the fee for an IELTS course in Pakistan?

The exam fee is subject to change yearly. However, it is currently between Rs. 29,000 and Rs. 43,000 based on the exam type.

Therefore, always check the official site for updates on IELTS fees in Pakistan.

Note that each test isn’t available in all locations, so ensure you do your research and book an exam seat ahead of the date for the exam.

Can I learn IELTS in 3 months?

Depending on your plans and schedule, you can learn the IELTS within three months, but it is advisable to spend a minimum of 4 months for the training.

Besides, no specific time frame is required for the activity, but it could take some test-takers about six months or more.

Is two months enough to study for IETLS?

It depends on your level of literal skills and understanding.

No official rule is stated for the minimum time you could a lot to yourself in preparation for IELTS training. All decision boils down to the test-takers.

Some test-takers could make it a continuous training to widen their literacy knowledge, and some test-takers may feel that a month is enough.

It depends on your level of interest, as there are four modules in any IELTS training you choose. Just ensure you are well-groomed with the basics of each.

Conclusion

Taking practice tests, especially self-assessment is vital as it helps with personal growth.You don’t need to be in pursuit of a higher degree before you apply for the IELTS exam. It aids personal development and boosts self-esteem