4173 7Y07 IELTShbk body [prf5] - IELTS Exam

1 Handbook 7Y07 IELTS Handbook_CVR 18/6/07 16:33 Page 3 Contents2 Introduction2 What is IELTS ?2 Test Administration2 academic and General Training3 Test Format3 Preparing for the Test4 IELTS Test Results4 Test Scores4 Test Report Form5 Interpretation of Results6 Tests6 Listening7 Reading8 Writing11 Speaking13 Test Registration and Administration14 Transferring Answers to the Answer Sheet15 Candidates with Special Needs15 Other Difficulties16 Security of IELTS16 Question Paper Development and Research17 Test Centres20 Official IELTS Practice MaterialsOrder Form4173 7Y07 IELTShbk_body [prf5] 22/6/07 15:33 Page 1 This Handbook gives an overview of IELTS for teachers,administrators and other users, including staff in receivingorganisations such as universities, professional registrationboards and employers. It outlines the key features andadministrative procedures for Handbook does not include complete samples of the testcomponents; these are given in the Official IELTS PracticeMaterials pack, which can be bought from IELTS test centres, or from Cambridge ESOL or IDP: IELTS Australia (see page 20).

2 Additional information is given on the IELTS is IELTS ? IELTS , the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication. IELTS is jointly managed by the University of Cambridge ESOLE xaminations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council and IDP: IELTSA ustralia. IELTS conforms to the highest international standardsof language assessment. It covers the four language skills listening, reading, writing and is recognised by universities and employers in manycountries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. It is also recognised by professional bodies,immigration authorities and other government is not recommended for candidates under the age of AdministrationIELTS tests are administered at centres throughout the world there are currently over 300 centres operating in more than 100countries.

3 Centres supervise the local administration of the testand ensure the provision of qualified and trained examiners. A full list of centres is available on the IELTS centres run regular test administrations, according to localneed and results are available within two weeks. Candidatesreceive only one copy of their results but additional copies maybe sent by the test centre directly to receiving organisations atthe request of the are no restrictions on candidates re-taking the and General Training IELTS is available in two formats academic and GeneralTraining. The academic Reading and Writing tests assess whether a candidate is ready to study or train in the medium of English at an undergraduate or postgraduate level. Admission toundergraduate and postgraduate courses is based on the results of these General Training Reading and Writing tests are not designedto test the full range of formal language skills required foracademic purposes, but emphasise basic survival skills in abroad social and educational context.

4 General Training issuitable for candidates who are going to English-speakingcountries to complete their secondary education, to undertakework experience or training programmes not at degree level, orfor immigration purposes to Australia, Canada and New Zealand. It is the responsibility of the candidate to inform the test centre whether they wish to take the academic or GeneralTraining Modules. Centres are not responsible for providing this information. The General Training Module is not offered at all test | IELTS Handbook 2007 Introduction4173 7Y07 IELTShbk_body [prf5] 22/6/07 15:33 Page 2 Test FormatCandidates are tested in listening, reading, writing andspeaking. All candidates take the same Listening and Speakingtests. There is a choice between academic and General Trainingin the Reading and Writing tests are designed to cover the full range of ability from non-user to expert first three tests Listening, Reading and Writing must be completed in one day.

5 There is no break between thetests. The Speaking test may be taken, at the discretion of thetest centre, in the period seven days before or after the computerised version of IELTS Listening, Reading and Writingtests (CB IELTS ) is available at selected centres, but all centreswill continue to offer paper-based IELTS and candidates will begiven the choice of the medium in which they wish to take thetest. Preparing for the TestIt is not necessary to attend an IELTS preparation course thoughit is, of course, a good idea to prepare thoroughly for the order form is given at the end of this Handbook for an OfficialIELTS Practice Materials pack. This includes a full practice testwith an answer key and a CD of the Listening test and sampleSpeaking tests , so that candidates can get some idea of theirlevel and familiarise themselves with the format of the is also a wide range of published preparation Handbook 2007|3 ListeningTime: approximately 30 minutesCandidates listen to a number of recordedtexts.

6 These include a mixture ofmonologues and conversations and featurea variety of English recording is heard only once, andcandidates are given time to read thequestions and write down their ReadingTime: 60 minutesThere are three readingpassages with tasks. Textsare taken from books,magazines, journals andnewspapers, all written for a non-specialist audience. At least one of the textscontains a WritingTime: 60 minutesThe first task requirescandidates to write adescription of at least 150words. This is based onmaterial found in a chart,table, graph or diagram anddemonstrates their ability topresent information and tosummarise the main featuresof the the second task,candidates write a shortessay of at least 250 wordsin response to a statementor question. They areexpected to demonstrate anability to present a position,construct an argument anddiscuss abstract TrainingWritingTime: 60 minutesThe first task requirescandidates to write a letter of at least 150 words eitherasking for information, orexplaining a situation.

7 For the second task,candidates write a shortessay of at least 250 wordsin response to a statementor question. They areexpected to demonstrate anability to present a position,construct an argument anddiscuss : 11 14 minutesThe test is a face-to-face are assessed on their use ofspoken English to answer short questions,to speak at length on a familiar topic, andalso to interact with the TrainingReading Time: 60 minutesThe texts are based on thetype of material candidateswould be expected toencounter on a daily basis inan English-speaking are taken from sourcessuch as newspapers,advertisements, instructionmanuals and books, and testthe candidate s ability tounderstand and useinformation. The testincludes one longer text,which is descriptive ratherthan 7Y07 IELTShbk_body [prf5] 22/6/07 15:33 Page 3 Marking is carried out at the test centre by trained examinerswhose work is closely monitored. This ensures that test resultsare available without any administrative are standardised and usually available within two weeksof the test, and Test Report Forms are sent to the candidates and to the sponsor(s)/receiving institution(s).

8 Test centres are notpermitted to give results over the phone, or by fax or email. Test ScoresIELTS provides a profile of a candidate s ability to use English. Candidates receive scores on a Band Scale from 1 to 9. A score is reported for each test component. The individual testscores are then averaged and rounded to produce an OverallBand Score according to a confidential Band Score conversiontable. Overall Band Scores and individual test scores arereported in whole and half bands. Test Report FormAn example of the Test Report Form is shown on the right. Each test is reported separately as a Band Score, together withan Overall Band Score. A descriptive statement giving asummary of the English of a candidate classified at each bandlevel is provided below and is included on the reverse of the TestReport completed Test Report Form bears a centre stamp, avalidation stamp, the candidate s photograph and the authorisedcentre representative s signature.

9 The authenticity of any Test Report Form can be verified by means of the Test ReportForm Verification Service located at Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge ESOL reserve the right to cancel any Test Report Form in the event of any attempt to tamper with or misuse the informationcontained in | IELTS Handbook 2007 IELTS Test ResultsExpert user Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with completeunderstanding. Very good userHas fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies andinappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailedargumentation well. Good userHas operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies andmisunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands userHas generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies andmisunderstandings.

10 Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. Modest user Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to makemany mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field. Limited user Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Isnot able to use complex language. Extremely limited user Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur. Intermittent user No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or shortformulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken andwritten English. Non user Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words. Did not attempt the testNo assessable information provided.