If you intend to enrol in English lessons in Singapore, chances are, you’ve heard of the International English Language Testing System, or IELTS for short. Have a look at the world’s most popular English language test and how it may benefit you in the long run.

What Is An IELTS Test?

The International English Testing System (IELTS) is an international standardised test that will assess and evaluate non-natives’ English skills. Depending on your goal, you will need to pick between the different types of tests but the two main ones are the IELTS Academic Test and the IELTS General Training Test. You’d be tested in 4 areas: listening, reading, writing and conversation and it will take 165 minutes to complete all 4.

Why Are The IELTS Important?

The IELTS hope to widen the opportunities by acting as evidence of your English language proficiency. By presenting their IELTS certificate, non-native English speaking students have a better chance of getting into a university in a native English speaking country. It goes the same for professionals who are seeking out opportunities.

Furthermore, many countries require you to present an IELTS certification if you wish to migrate.

How Long Does It Take To Prepare For An IELTS Test?

The typical time frame to prepare for an IELTS exam is at least 8 weeks.

How Much Does An IELTS Exam Cost?

The fees for both the IELTS Academic Test and the IELTS General Training Test amount to S$365.00 each. This can quickly accumulate to a considerable amount if you have retakes, thus it’s best to ace your IELTS exams on the first try!

What’s The Passable Mark?

Once you’ve taken your test, you’d receive your results and band scores that indicate how well you’ve done. These band scores vary between 1-9. Depending on the school, company or country, you’d need to secure specific band score. For instance,  in order to attain a spot in any of the universities and colleges in the USA, you will need to score at least 5.5. In the case of Canada, you will need to score at least 6.0-6.5. Thus, gauge which band you’d like to roughly score and work towards that goal.

How Do I Prepare For An IELTS Test?

The best way to prepare for an IELTS test is to be under the tutelage of professionals, thus enrolling yourself in an IELTS course in Singapore is highly recommended. Experienced and professional facilitators and teachers will be able to prepare you on the test’s layout and requirements.

You can also practice honing your English skills on your own. For instance, you can find the past IELTS exam papers to try. Take it a step further by timing yourself according to the time allocation similar to the actual exam.

Even if you have a good grasp of the English language, it’s important that you seek help from those who are familiar with the test. One thing is for sure, having an IELTS certification under your belt will definitely open a lot of doors in the future.