Introduction to the IELTS test

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test of English language proficiency, developed by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate.

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test of English language proficiency, developed by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate. IELTS is now accepted as evidence of a prospective student’s level of English by most universities in English speaking countries.

There are two different IELTS tests that you can do: Academic and General. The following information will deal only with the Academic test as this is the test used for university entrance.

IELTS is not a test that you can pass or fail. Your assessment will be reported according to a scale from bands one to nine. You will need to contact the university you wish to enter to find out the IELTS score they require for entry into your chosen course. Band one indicates that you have virtually no English at all. Band nine is native speaker proficiency. Universities in Australia typically require a band score of between 6 and 7.

The test questions and tasks have been designed to reflect the general interests of people from an educated background. You will therefore not be required to have any specialist knowledge.

The test has four components – Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking. You will receive a band score for each component as well as a global band score.

Further information

For further information about the test, see the IELTS Handbook available from all test centres and also from UCLES (University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate), IDP Education Australia and from British Council Centres around the world.

IELTS at Holmesglen

At Holmesglen Institute of TAFE we include some IELTS preparation in our Intermediate and Advanced level courses and also offer additional IELTS Preparation electives. A number of our teachers are also IELTS examiners.