Register for your test at IELTSessentials.com

facebook.com/idpphilippines

IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment.

Be better prepared

Essential advice

Aiming for a band score of 7

or above?

Remember that learning a language takes time and effort. The IELTS Masterclass is designed to provide advice and support to supplement your other language learning and test preparation.

The IELTS Masterclass:• is a free 90-minute class for anyone aiming

for an IELTS band score of 7 or above

• includes practical advice on how best to enhance your English

• provides guidance on the common mistakes to avoid

• helps you understand the IELTS assessment criteria

IELTSMasterclassWebinarReading, Speaking and Listening

idp.com/philippines

IELTS Academic IELTS General Training

Listening* • Four recorded monologues and conversations

(30 minutes) Listening* (30 minutes)• Four recorded monologues and conversations

Reading (60 minutes)

Writing (60 minutes)• Writing task of at least 150 words where the test taker must

summarise, describe or explain a table, graph, chart or diagram • Short essay task of at least 250 words

Writing (60 minutes)• Letter writing task of at least 150 words • Short essay task of at least 250 words

Speaking* (11 to 14 minutes)

Speaking* (11 to 14 minutes)

Reading (60 minutes)

T * he Listening and Speaking components are the same forff both IELTSLL Academic and IELTS GLL eneral Training.

T * he Listening and Speaking components are the same forff both IELTSLL Academic and IELTS GLL eneral Training.

What is the IELTS test format?

IELTS Academic measures English language proficiency needed for an academic, higher learning environment. The tasks and texts are accessible to all test takers, regardless of what each test taker has studied in the past.

Choose from an academic test of English or a more general test of English.

IELTS General Training measures English language proficiency in a practical, everyday context. The tasks and texts reflect both workplace and social situations.

• Three long reading passages with tasks• Texts may include diagrams, graphs or illustrations• Texts are taken from books, journals, magazines

and newspapers

• Section 1 contains two or three short factual texts• Section 2 contains two short, work related, factual texts

• Section 3 contains one longer text on a topic of general interest

• Texts are authentic taken from notices, advertisements, company handbooks, official documents, books

and newspapers

• Face-to-face interview without disruptions or distractions• Includes short questions, speaking at length about a

familiar topic and a structured discussion

• Face-to-face interview without disruptions or distractions• Includes short questions, speaking at length about a

familiar topic and a structured discussion

What is the IELTS test format?

01

IELTS nine-band scale

9 Expert user with complete understanding.

8 Very good userHas 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 userHas operational command of the language, although with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.

6 Competent userHas 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 userHas 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

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 userNo real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great

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 provided.

Each band corresponds to a level of competence in English. All parts of the test and the overall band score are reported in whole or half bands, e.g. 7.0, 8.5.

IELTS nine-band scale

02

IELTS test format

Examiner-approved IELTS tips

There are three sections, each containing one long text.

The texts are all real and are taken from books, magazines and newspapers. They have been written for a non-specialist audience and are on academic topics of general interest, which means you do not need specialist knowledge to do well.

The texts are appropriate to, and accessible to, candidates entering undergraduate or postgraduate courses or seeking professional registration.

Texts range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. Texts may contain nonverbal materials such as diagrams, graphs or illustrations.

If texts contain technical terms, then a simple glossary is provided.

Reading

Reading test format – IELTS Academic, 60 minutes

There are three sections.

Section 1: contains two or three short factual texts, one of which may be composite (consisting of 6-8 short texts related by topic, e.g. hotel advertisements). Topics arerelevant to everyday life in an English-speaking country.

Section 2: contains two short factual texts focusing on work-related issues (e.g. applying for jobs, company policies, pay and conditions, workplace facilities, staff development and training).

Section 3: contains one longer, more complex text on a topic of general interest.

You will be reading real passages taken from notices, advertisements, company

magazines and newspapers.

Reading test format – IELTS General Training, 60 minutes

1. To improve your performance in theReading test you need to practisereading a variety of English texts. Thiswill help you develop the ability to readquickly

2. before reading the passages. This will

answers. Underline possible answers as you go.

3. When you come to reading the passage,

get a general idea of what it’s about.Don’t worry about words you do notunderstand. Then read each questionagain to remind yourself which parts ofthe passage you will need to read againin detail.

4. The Reading passages always containthe information you need to answer thequestion. You won’t have to use yourown knowledge of a topic.

5. If you are copying words from a questionor reading passage to use in youranswer, remember that your spellingmust be accurate.

6. The Reading test may sometimesinclude questions that test your overallunderstanding of a passage. Forexample, the question may ask whatthe topic of a particular passage is.Try underlining key words and ideasin each paragraph as you read to helpyou understand the key message ofeach passage.

7. Circle or underline key words as youread. For example, if a reading passagecontains many place names or dates,circle them as you go along. This will

if they come up in any of the questions.

8. If you are asked to label a diagram, you

Be sure to copy them carefully from thetext with the correct spelling.

10. Make sure you write down your answersfor the Reading test on the answer sheet– not the question paper. There will beno extra time to transfer your answersafter the Reading test.

Tips

The Listening, Reading and Writing tests must be completed on the same day. The order in which these tests are taken may vary. There are no breaks between these three tests.The Speaking test may be taken up to seven days before or after the other three tests.

9. If there are questions you cannotanswer, leave them and move on to thenext question. This will help you to staycalm and positive. Go back to thosequestionsat the end, if you have time.

03

The Speaking component is the same for both versions of IELTS (Academic and General Training). There are three parts. The test is recorded.

Part 1: Introduction and interview (4-5 minutes) The examiner introduces him/herself and

your identity. The examiner asks you general

Part 3: Two-way discussion (4-5 minutes) The examiner asks further questions that are connected to the topic of Part 2. This gives you an opportunity to discuss more general issues and ideas.

2. There are no right or wrong answers inthe Speaking test. The examiner willassess you on how well you can expressyour ideas and opinions in good English.

3. It will help you to feel relaxed if youimagine you are talking to a friend.Remember that you are not beingassessed on your opinions, rather onyour use of English.

4. Try to avoid repeating the words used inthe examiner’s question. Use your ownwords to show the examiner your fullability.

5. Speak clearly and at a natural pace. Ifyou speak too quickly, you may makemistakes or pronounce words incorrectly.

6. Answer in as much detail as you can.Don’t just answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Try todevelop your response to each question− draw on your own experience and giveexamples. The examiner wants to hearwhether you can talk at length on a rangeof topics.

7. Use the correct verb tense whenanswering questions in the Speakingtest. Listen carefully to the questionand notice which verb tense is used.For example, if the question is ‘Whatkind of music do you like?’ (in thepresent tense) your answer shouldalso be in the present tense (e.g.‘I like pop music best’). You can goon to use other tenses as you extendyour response, e.g. ‘I haven’t alwaysenjoyed that kind of music...’.

8. Practise the pronunciation of numbersto be sure that your meaning is clear.For example, many numbers can soundvery similar when spoken, so be sureto say them clearly, e.g. ‘Thirty’ and‘Thirteen’, ‘Forty’ and ‘Fourteen’, ‘Fifty’ and ‘Fifteen’ etc.

9. It is better to use simple, commonly usedvocabulary and to use it correctly thanto use advanced vocabulary that you areunsure about. However, to get a highscore, you must show you know howto use more advanced vocabulary.

11. Try to answer as fully as possibleand give reasons for your answers.This will help you to use a wider rangeof vocabulary and grammar.

Further support Try a free practice test at IELTSessentials.com/prepare

Find a test centre near you at IELTSessentials.com/testcentres

Register for an IELTS Masterclass at IELTSessentials.com/masterclass

Get advice and share your feedback at Facebook.com/IELTSessentials

Speaking

Speaking test format, 11-14 minutes

Tips

Examiner-approved IELTS tips

questions on familiar topics, (e.g. work, studies and interests).

Part 2: Individual long turn (3-4 minutes) The examiner gives you a booklet with a task that asks you to talk about a particular topic and which includes points you can cover in your talk. You are given one minute to prepare your talk, and you are given a pencil and paper to make notes. You talk for one to two

minutes on the topic. The examiner then asks you one or two questions on the same topic.

1. In the lead up to the Speaking test, makesure you take the time to practisespeaking English – with friends, at workand on the phone. You should alsoconsider recording yourself, so that youfeel confident speaking English duringyour test.

10. In Part 2, the examiner will give you abooklet with a topic, some paper and apencil. You thenhave one minute toprepare your answer.First think aboutthe topic and thendecide which is themost appropriate tense to use in yourresponse. Youshould use the sametense(s) as thequestions on the card.

04

Page 1 of 2 Sample Listening B: Questions

Sample Listening B: Questions

Listening sample questions

12955_IELTS Masterclass Booklet_FA.indd 13 18/09/2014 8:51 am

12955_IELTS Masterclass Booklet_singles_FA.pdf 1 12/9/2014 10:35:29 AM

Sourced from Official IELTS Practice Material 2009

SECTION 1 Questions 1 - 8

Complete the form below.

Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

05

1. At the beginning of each section readthe questions for that section carefully,before the recording starts. This will helpyou to follow the recording and identifythe answers.

2. After completing a section, it is better tolook ahead and read the questions for thenext section than to worry about the lastsection.

3. You will sometimes have a list of optionsto choose from as answers. The possibleanswers may be listed in alphabeticalorder and not necessarily in the order youwill hear them.

4. Be careful to note word limits. If thereis an instruction: Write no more than twowords, writing more than two words willmean you will receive no marks at all foryour answer, even if some of the wordsare correct.

5. Try to listen for key words or synonyms(words that have the same or nearly thesame meaning as another word) from thequestion to help you identify the answer.

For example, in the recording you might hear: “She likes going to the gym and playing tennis”. On your answer sheet, this could appear as “She is an active person.”

7. Listen carefully for words that indicatewhich stage of the recording you are

‘to sum up’. These words will help youidentify which question you havereached.

8. As you are listening to the recording,

9. If you are writing dates as an answerto any question, remember that there

are several correct ways to write them (e.g. 24th April, April 24 and 24 April are all correct).

11. After the last recording has ended youhave 10 minutes to transfer your answersfrom the Listening booklet to your answersheet. Don’t make the mistake of copyingthese answers across to the answersheet in between sections or you maymiss important information about the nextsection of the test. Wait until the endof Section 4 before transferringyour answers.

Examiner-approved IELTS tips

The Listening component is the same for both versions of IELTS (Academic and General Training). There are four parts. You will hear the recording only once. A variety of voices and native-speaker accents are used.

Section 1: a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context (e.g. a conversation about accommodation).

Section 2: a monologue set in an everyday social context (e.g. a speech about local facilities or about arrangements for meals during a conference).

Section 3: a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context (e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment, or a group of people planning a project).

Section 4: a talk (e.g. a university lecture).

IELTS is accepted for study, work and migration in more countries than any other test. More than 10,000 universities, employers, professional registration bodies and governments around the world accept IELTS

Learning a language takes time and effort. This booklet is designed to help you prepare for your IELTS test and improve your understanding of the test format, but should not be seen as a substitute for language tuition and regular practice.

Listening

Listening test format, 30 minutes

6. You may be asked to write down wordsthat have been spelled out in therecording. In order to do this well, youneed to know the English alphabet andhow each letter is pronounced (forexample, the letter ‘W’ is pronounced as‘double-u’).

makes it easier for you to find the rightanswer.

10. If there are questions you cannot answer,leave them and move on to thenextquestion. This will help you to staycalmand positive. Go back to thosequestionsat the end, if you have time.

06

IELTS preparation checklist

again, ask yourself whether you have taken the necessary steps to ensure you have the best opportunity to succeed.

Follow these tips in the months and weeks before your test

First steps

Get to know the test

• Taking an English language course is one of the quickestways to improve your English. The feedback you receive

skills involved in speaking, listening, reading andwriting English.

• Test

Improve your English

• Practise the free IELTS test sample available atIELTSessentials.com/prepare

• available) which include sample questions and sample responses with examiner comments. Purchase these online or from your local test centre.

Practise sample questions

• Re-read the Information for Candidates booklet and Noticeto Candidates again to ensure that you understand the testformat and rules.

• Plan your journey − ensure you know how to get to the testvenue so that you arrive in time. Also get plenty of rest thenight before your test to help you to feel more relaxed onthe day.

The day before the test

• Allow plenty of time to travel to the test venueto ensure you arrive on time.

• Bring your passport/national identity card with you:

provided on your IELTS Application Form or youwill not be able to take the test.

Test day

• should try to listen to a variety of English accents including American, Australian, British, Canadian and New Zealand.

• Read English publications such as newspapers andmagazines regularly.

• Write letters, emails or notes in English whenever possible.

• Speak English with your friends and family.

Use your English everyday

“Don’t be scaredof IELTS. Just come

prepared and go with it.”Sutasinee Kongrawd,

Bangkok

Preparing for IELTS takes time and requires practice.

• Register for the test. There are 48 test dates per year andIDP IELTS offers over 450 test locations all over the world.Find a test centre near you at IELTSessentials.com.To book your test visit IELTSessentials.com

• Check the IELTS score required by your chosen university,institution, employer of organisation. You can search a list ofover 10,000 organisations which accept IELTS atIELTSessentials.comlooking for? Contact the organisation directly to check theirIELTS requirements.

• Read the Information for Candidates booklet which containsessential information to help you do your best. This can bedownloaded from IELTSessentials.com/prepare

• Know the rules. Read the Notice to candidates which can bedownloaded from IELTSessentials.com/prepare

• To understand what examiners look for in the Speaking test,see the ‘IELTS assessment criteria’ on pages 10.

preparation is different from an English language course,as it will not help improve your English. An IELTS preparationcourse can help you to familiarise yourself with the typesof tasks included in an IELTS test. Ask your local IELTStest centre for more information about a preparation coursenear you.

• There is a wide range of IELTS preparation materialavailable for purchase at bookshops and online. For alist of popular books visit IELTSessentials.com/purchase

• Bring the pens, pencils and erasers which youneed for the test.

07

What to expect on test day

Check in your personal items

No personal items to be taken into the test room (except for religious reasons). Test day staff will collect and safely store your personal belongings. Items which are forbidden from the test room include: mobile phones, hand-held computers, cameras, hats, scarves, wallets, books, notes or food.

ID Check

When you register on test day, a member of staff will check your (ID). Your ID must be the same ID that you used when you booked the test. It must also be valid (unexpired) and a recognisable photo of yourself.

If you booked your test at a test centre then a photograph and may have been taken already. If not, these will be taken when you arrive on test day. Before you enter the

to verify your identity.

Asking for help

If you have a problem (for example if you think you have been given the wrong paper, you cannot hear the instructions, or you feel ill) raise your hand to attract the attention of the invigilators.

Please note that the invigilator will not provide any explanation of the questions.

End of the test

You cannot leave your seat until your papers have been collected and you have been told

are advised that you can leave. You must leave any notes and materials on the desk.

Arrive early

You should arrive early for your test in order to allow time for you to register and be seated for the test. Please refer to your booking

If you arrive late, you may not be allowed to take the test.

Entering the test room

When it is time to enter the test room, a test invigilator will guide you to your seat. Do not write any notes. You are not permitted to speak to any other candidates. If you have a question, put up your hand and a member of staff will assist you.

On your desk, you are only allowed to have

drink in a transparent bottle.

Breaks

You are not permitted to leave during

component of the test.

If you need to leave the test room to goto the bathroom at any other time, raiseyour hand and ask a member of staff.

After the test

Collect your belongings. Your provisional results will be available online 13 calendar days after the test at https://results.ielts.org

Report Form which will also be ready after 13 days. You can collect it from the test centre or have it posted to you – depending on what

The IELTS test has four components. Three of these – Listening, Reading and Writing – are always taken on the same day, in the same session. The order is which these tests are taken may vary. The Speaking test may be sat the same day or taken up to seven days before or after the other tests, depending on your test centre.

The IELTS test implements sophisticated, biometric security measures which protect candidates and organisations from attempts to cheat. You will go through the processes described below when you register on test day.

What to expect on test day

08

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f the

pos

itive

feat

ures

of B

and

4

2• p

ause

s le

ngth

ily b

efor

e m

ost w

ords

• litt

le c

omm

unic

atio

n po

ssib

le desiro

mem ro dro

w detalosi secudorp ylno • utte

ranc

es

• can

not p

rodu

ce b

asic

sent

ence

form

s• s

peec

h is

ofte

n un

inte

lligi

ble

1• n

o co

mm

unic

atio

n po

ssib

le• n

o ra

teab

le la

ngua

ge

0• d

oes

not a

ttend

09

Notes