IELTS Academic is the most preferable language proficiency test to pursue higher education in an English-speaking country. More than 12,000 organizations worldwide accept academic IELTS scores for their application process. IELTS on a computer is available 3 times daily, and the paper-based tests have 4 fixed dates in a month. IDP conducts IELTS academic tests in India, offering 82 test centres across 75 major cities. You can simply register for the test by visiting the official website or opt for offline registration. IELTS academic fee in India is INR 17,000. If you are aiming for UK universities, you have to register for IELTS UK VI with a fee of INR 17,250. IELTS academic test format includes four sections; reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Your total academic score ranges from 0 to 9 bands. Achieving a 7+ band score is recommended for the top-ranked universities worldwide.
IELTS Academic Test Format
You can take IELTS academic exam remotely online or at a test centre. The exam format is the same for both online and test centres. IELTS academic test format examines your abilities in speaking, listening, writing, and reading. You will be allocated 2 hours and 45 minutes to answer IELTS syllabus questions. IELTS academic reading, writing, and listening tests were conducted on the same day. The speaking test can be scheduled on the same day afternoon or within a week.
| Sections | Questions | Exam Time |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 40 Questions | 60 Minutes |
| Writing | 2 Tasks | 60 Minutes |
| Listening | 40 Questions | 30 Minutes |
| Speaking | 3 Parts | 11–14 Minutes |
IELTS Academic Reading
IELTS academic reading includes topics of general interest to students at UG and PG levels. IELTS reading texts are extracted from books, magazines, journals, newspapers, and online resources. You need to be proficient in skimming, scanning, and detailed reading to achieve a good IELTS reading score.
| Sections | Description |
|---|---|
| Questions | 3 Reading Passages 40 Questions |
| Question Types | Multiple choice questions Identifying information Identifying a writer's views Matching headings Matching information Matching features Matching sentence endings Sentence completion Summary, note, table, flow-chart completion Diagram label completion Short-answer questions |
| Exam Time | 60 Minutes |
| Evaluates | skills in: Understanding an argument Identifying a writer's opinion Attitude, or purpose, Comprehending ideas Suggested meanings in texts. |
IELTS Academic Writing
Maintaining the word limit of your essay is the most important part of IELTS academic writing. There are two tasks in IELTS writing. On task 1, you have to describe some visual information, and task 2 requires you to present a point of view. You need to write your answers in full sentences, notes or bullet points are not acceptable. Take IELTS academic practice tests online to understand the various topics and improve your writing skills.
| Sections | Description |
|---|---|
| Questions | Two Writing Tasks |
| Question Types | Task 1: Describe some visual information like a graph, table, chart, or diagram in your own words. Task 2: Write an essay on a given point of view, argument, or problem. |
| Exam Time | 60 Minutes |
| Evaluates | skills in: Identifying the most important and relevant information. Read and respond with your ideas. Your English vocabulary and grammatical knowledge. |
IELTS Academic Listening
IELTS academic listening includes four parts with 10 questions in each. Part 1 and part 2 of IELTS listening topics deal with everyday and social situations. Part three and four questions include educational and training situations. Achieving a 7+ IELTS academic listening band score is required to get admission to some of the top universities globally.
| Sections | Description |
|---|---|
| Questions | Four Parts 40 Questions |
| Question Types | Multiple choice Matching Plan/map/diagram labeling Form/note/table/flow chart/summary completion Sentence Completion Short answer questions |
| Exam Time | 30 Minutes |
| Evaluates | skills in: Detailed understanding of specific points General understanding of the main points Follow a conversation between two people Your ability to understand explanations Your ability to identify the important information in a conversation |
IELTS Academic Speaking
Certified IELTS examiners evaluate your speaking abilities throughout the test. IELTS academic speaking is a face-to-face interview between you and the examiner. All your responses will be recorded on the test. Now you can take your IELTS speaking test online by sitting at your home. There are three parts to the tests, and each part follows a specific pattern to test your speaking abilities.
| Sections | Description |
|---|---|
| Questions | Three Parts |
| Question Types | Part 1: General questions about your family, work, hometown, studies, work, interests, etc. Part 2: Speak on topics given in the cue card Part 3: Detailed discussion of the topic in Part 2. |
| Exam Time | 11–14 Minutes |
| Evaluates | skills in: Your ability to give opinions and information on everyday topics and common experiences. Ability to speak at length on a given topic Using appropriate language. Logically organizing your ideas. Your ability to explain your opinions and to analyze |
Understand Your IELTS Academic Score
The total IELTS academic score ranges from 0 to 9 bands. Each of the bands describes a different proficiency level. Your given correct answers will be calculated as raw scores and then converted into an academic IELTS band score. IELTS academic listening and reading scores are awarded based on correct answers. The writing and speaking sections follow criteria like; lexical resources, coherence, task achievement, pronunciation, grammatical range, and accuracy. Check the table below to understand your academic IELTS score and band descriptors:
| Band | Level | Descriptors |
|---|---|---|
| Band 9 | Expert User | Have fully operational command. Use of English is accurate, appropriate, and fluent. |
| Band 8 | Very Good User | Have a fully operational command of the language. Might misunderstand some of the unfamiliar situations. Ability to handle most of the complex arguments. |
| Band 7 | Good User | Operational command of the language, but have misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language and understands detailed reasoning. |
| Band 6 | Competent User | Good command of the language, but faces some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings. Understand and use reasonably complex language in familiar situations. |
| Band 5 | Modest User | Partial command of the language and can manage the overall meaning in most situations. Make mistakes but can handle basic communication. |
| Band 4 | Limited User | Limited to familiar situations only, and faced problems in understanding. Unable to use complex language and have difficulty in dealing with unfamiliar words. |
| Band 3 | Extremely Limited User | Understand and deliver general English only, and that too in very familiar situations. Breakdowns in conversation. |
| Band 2 | Intermittent User | Faced difficulty in understanding spoken and written English. |
| Band 1 | Non-User | Cannot use the language except for a few limited words. |
| Band 0 | Did not attempt the test | - |
Tips for IELTS Academic Practice
Achieving a good IELTS score requires dedicated practice and good English skills. Effective IELTS academic practice can boost your score range to a higher level. Most of the top-ranked universities require a 7.5+ band score. You can start your preparation for IELTS academic online or join coaching classes for structured learning. It is advisable to start preparation at least 2 or 3 months before your IELTS academic test dates. Here are some best IELTS preparation tips and strategies to achieve a good score:
- Know the format: Master the exam structure and question types of each section.
- Build vocabulary: Read academic content, journals, magazines, newspapers, and listen to podcasts.
- Plan your study: Prioritize your weaknesses and schedule your study plan to focus on these weak areas.
- Practice timed tests: Take full-length mock tests that simulate real exam experience.
- Manage your time: Develop effective time allocation strategies for every section and practice tests.
- Consider coaching: Don't hesitate to get expert guidance if needed.
- Seek feedback: Learn from others' insights who have achieved a good score or have excellent English language proficiency.
Most Indian students prefer taking IELTS academic as a language proficiency test for universities abroad. Achieving a higher IELTS academic score requires effective practice with sample papers and books. IELTS academic booking process is simply done online, or you can visit any nearby IDP branches.
FAQs
Ques: What is Academic IELTS?
Ans: IELTS Academic test is a standardized English language proficiency exam specifically designed for students seeking admission to undergraduate or postgraduate programs abroad. It assesses your ability to understand and communicate effectively in an academic environment.
Ques: What is the difference between IELTS General and IELTS Academic?
Ans: IELTS academic focuses on academic texts and situations relevant to higher education. The general training is geared towards everyday communication skills for social and workplace settings. The Reading and Writing sections in IELTS are more complex compared to the general training test.
Ques: Is Academic IELTS harder?
Ans: IELTS academics examine higher levels of English proficiency in an academic context. Compared to General Training, it's likely to feel more challenging if you're unfamiliar with academic English.
Ques: Who Needs IELTS Academic?
Ans: Anyone applying for undergraduate or postgraduate studies in English-speaking countries like the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand will need to take the Academic IELTS test to meet university admission requirements.
Ques: What is a good score for IELTS Academic?
Ans: A good score depends on the specific requirements of your chosen university program. However, a score of 7.0 or higher is generally considered competitive for undergraduate admissions, while some universities might require a 7.5 for postgraduate programs.
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