Advantages of the IELTS Test

What are the advantages of the IELTS test over the other tests whjch are often used? Unlike the TOEFL it tests all four skills. Some students who have very high TOEFL scores are noi able to function in English when they arrive at university because they cannot speak 01 write the language. This means that if you achieve your target band score on the IELTS tost both you and the college you hope to attend can be confident that you will be able to cope With English when you start your course. Unlike some other tests IELTS is an international test. This means that if you change your mind about the country you want to study in,your test results will still be recognised (outside the USA) ifyou have taken the IELTS test. It also means that you can take the test in your own country or in the country where you hope to study.

The IELTS test is available at least once a month, at some centres it is run fortnightly and, at busy times of the year, every week. You can take the test as often as you like, but not less than three months apart. So for example, ifyou take the test in January you can take it again in April. This way you are able to keep track of your improvement in English.

The results are published quickly. They are sent to you and to the college you want to enter within two weeks. It is considered that students need anything from 100 hours to 200 hours of teaching to improve by one step in the band scale; all students differ from each other but most need more time at the higher levels than they do at the lower levels.