Internationally recognised qualifications
International English Language Testing System IELTS
This exam is a test of English for Academic purposes and it is recognised worldwide. It is a necessary requirement for overseas students who want to study at English universities.
The IELTS tests are divided into four sub-tests: Reading, writing, listening and speaking. A test report form gives details of the results of the test. Each sub-test is reported separately in the form of a Band Score. The individual sub-test scores are added together and averaged to obtain an Overall Band Score. Each Band corresponds to a descriptive statement, which gives a summary of the English of a candidate classified at this level. The scale of Bands ascends from 1 to 9.
The nine Academic bands are described as follows (IELTS, 1995):
9. Expert user. Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding
8. Very good user. Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
7. Good user. Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
6. Competent user. Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
5. Modest user. Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, although is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.
4. Limited user. Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.
3. Extremely limited user. Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
2. Intermittent user. No real communication possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
1. Non-user. Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
0. Did not attempt the test. No assessable information.
Examination cost approx £90.
There are approx 43 test centres where you can sit this examination in the UK.
Please contact individual school for more information on test dates / centres.