IELTSIELTS((IInternational nternational EEnglish nglish LLanguage anguage TTesting esting SSystem)ystem)

Why do we need to know about it?Why do we need to know about it?What does it look like?What does it look like?How is it scored?How is it scored?What do students tend to have problems with?What do students tend to have problems with?

Why do we need to know Why do we need to know about it?about it?

PSU accepts the IELTS for PSU accepts the IELTS for admissionadmission Undergraduate score: 6.5 with 6.0 Undergraduate score: 6.5 with 6.0

in each bandin each band Graduate score 7.0: overall (no Graduate score 7.0: overall (no

minimum band score needed!)minimum band score needed!)

More about scoringMore about scoring

A score is reported for each test component.

The individual test scores are then averaged and rounded to produce an Overall Band Score.

Overall Band Scores and individual test scores are reported in whole and half bands.

Another reason we need to Another reason we need to know about itknow about it

More and more of More and more of our students are our students are

taking it!taking it!

What does the whole test What does the whole test look like?look like? IELTS is available in two formats –

Academic and General Training. Our students must take the Academic

version. Each format has 4 tests, one in each

of the skills. All test takers (in both the Academic

and General Training tests) take the same Listening and Speaking tests. The Writing and Reading tests are different.

The first 3 tests (Listening, Reading, The first 3 tests (Listening, Reading, and Writing) must be taken the same and Writing) must be taken the same day.day.

The Speaking test can be taken 7 The Speaking test can be taken 7 days before or after (depending on days before or after (depending on the testing center).the testing center).

There is no break between the tests.There is no break between the tests.

Academic Format Academic Format Test Components and TimesTest Components and Times

1.1. Listening – Listening – 40 mins40 mins

2.2. Academic Reading – Academic Reading – 60 mins60 mins

3.3. Academic Writing – Academic Writing – 60 mins60 mins

4.4. Speaking – Speaking – 11 – 14 mins11 – 14 mins

____________________

~ 2 hr. 45 mins~ 2 hr. 45 mins

What does What does each test each test look like?look like?

1st Test1st Test(40 minutes)(40 minutes)

ListeningListening

ListeningListening

Candidates listen to 4 recorded texts – 2 conversations and 2 monologues.

These feature a variety of English accents.

The recording is heard only once. Candidates are given time to read

the questions before each text starts.

Listening cont.Listening cont.

They write down their answers in the test booklet while they are listening.

At the end of each section, they have 30 seconds to check their answers.

At the end of the test, they are given 10 minutes to transfer their answers to the official answer sheet.

Poor spelling and grammar are penalized.

Writing more than is necessary is penalized.

Listening TestListening Test

Question types:Question types: multiple choice short-answer questions sentence completion note/summary/flow-chart/table

completion labeling a diagram classification matching

Listening Section SampleListening Section Sample

AudioAudio TapescriptTapescript for audio for audio Questions for audioQuestions for audio

Listening – Common Listening – Common ChallengesChallenges

Each recording played only Each recording played only once.once.

Must write and listen Must write and listen simultaneously.simultaneously.

Range of accents used.Range of accents used. Must follow line of argument or Must follow line of argument or

thought.thought. Unfamiliar vocabulary.Unfamiliar vocabulary. Correct spelling required.Correct spelling required.

2nd Test2nd Test(60 minutes)(60 minutes)

ReadingReading

Academic ReadingAcademic Reading

There are three reading passages with a total of 2000 – 2750 words.

Texts are taken from books, magazines, journals and newspapers, all written for a non-specialist audience.

At least one of the texts contains a detailed argument.

Academic Reading cont.Academic Reading cont.

Total of 40 questionsTotal of 40 questions

3 Categories of 10 Question 3 Categories of 10 Question Types:Types:

Matching Gap fill Selection

Reading Section SampleReading Section Sample

Reading A with questionsReading A with questions Reading A Answer KeyReading A Answer Key

Reading B with questionsReading B with questions ReadngReadng B Answer Key B Answer Key

Reading Common ChallengesReading Common Challenges

Time is short!Time is short! Unfamiliar topicsUnfamiliar topics Unusual question types, such as Unusual question types, such as

labeling a flowchartlabeling a flowchart Incorrect spelling and grammar Incorrect spelling and grammar

are penalized.are penalized. Writing more than is necessary Writing more than is necessary

is penalized.is penalized.

3rd Test3rd Test(60 mins)(60 mins)

WritingWriting

Academic WritingAcademic Writing

2 Tasks Candidates ADVISED 20 mins

for 1st task, 40 mins for 2nd task Score based on:

Task achievementCoherence and cohesionLexical resourceGrammatical range and accuracy

Writing – 1Writing – 1stst task task

Write a description of at least 150 words.

Based on material found in a chart, table, graph or diagram

Demonstrates ability to present information and to summarize the main features of the input.

Writing Task 1 OrganizationWriting Task 1 Organization

Introductory Sentence(s) – Introductory Sentence(s) – describe the information describe the information presented in the graph….presented in the graph….

General ObservationsGeneral Observations Specific ObservationsSpecific Observations Concluding Statement – Concluding Statement –

analysis of information garnered analysis of information garnered from the visual from the visual

Writing Task 1 SampleWriting Task 1 Sample

RubricRubric

TaskTask

1)1) Student WritingStudent Writing• Score and CommentsScore and Comments

2)2) Student WritingStudent Writing• Score and CommentsScore and Comments

3)3) Student WritingStudent Writing• Score and CommentsScore and Comments

Writing – 2Writing – 2ndnd task task

Write a short essay of at least 250 words in response to a statement or question.

Demonstrate an ability to present a position, construct an argument and discuss abstract issues.

Writing Task 2 SampleWriting Task 2 Sample

RubricRubric

TaskTask

1)1) Student WritingStudent Writing• Score and CommentsScore and Comments

2)2) Student WritingStudent Writing• Score and CommentsScore and Comments

Writing – Common ChallengesWriting – Common Challenges

Task 1Task 1 Analyze, select, and order dataAnalyze, select, and order data See general trendsSee general trends Identify key chunks of information and Identify key chunks of information and

exceptions to general trendsexceptions to general trends Use complex sentence structureUse complex sentence structure

Task 2Task 2 Unfamiliar topicUnfamiliar topic Take a stand and argue it effectivelyTake a stand and argue it effectively

44thth (and final) Test (and final) Test(11-14 minutes)(11-14 minutes)

SpeakingSpeaking

SpeakingSpeaking

The test is a face-to-face interview.

Candidates are assessed on their use of spoken English to answer short questionsspeak at length on a familiar topic interact with the examiner

Speaking Test SectionsSpeaking Test Sections1.1. Introduction and interview (4-5 Introduction and interview (4-5

mins)mins) Give name and talk about self, family, Give name and talk about self, family,

and own life.and own life.

2.2. Individual long turn (3-4 mins)Individual long turn (3-4 mins) Given a card prompt.Given a card prompt. 1 min to prepare1 min to prepare 1-2 mins talk1-2 mins talk 1 min answer related question from 1 min answer related question from

examinerexaminer

3.3. Two-way discussion (4-5 mins)Two-way discussion (4-5 mins) Related to topic on the cardRelated to topic on the card Less personalLess personal

Speaking SectionSpeaking Section

RubricRubric Video of Interview – 1Video of Interview – 1stst section section

Score and commentsScore and comments Video of Interview – 2Video of Interview – 2ndnd section section

Score and commentsScore and comments Video of Interview – 3Video of Interview – 3rdrd section section

Score and commentsScore and comments

Speaking – Common Speaking – Common ChallengesChallenges

Talking extensivelyTalking extensively VocabularyVocabulary Abstract topics in 3Abstract topics in 3rdrd section section

Online ResourcesOnline Resources

http://www.ielts.org/http://www.ielts.org/ Handbook, sample tasks, tips, etc.Handbook, sample tasks, tips, etc.

http://www.world-english.org/ielts_free_tests.hthttp://www.world-english.org/ielts_free_tests.htmm Free sample testsFree sample tests

http://www.ielts-exam.nethttp://www.ielts-exam.net// Info about the test and sample questionsInfo about the test and sample questions

http://http://www.goodluckielts.com/index.htmwww.goodluckielts.com/index.htm Info, tips, samples, etc.Info, tips, samples, etc.

http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/ Online graph makerOnline graph maker

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