Frequently Asked Questions in IELTS
Should I take the Academic or the General Training module?
It depends upon the reason why you wish to travel abroad. If your purpose is to study at undergraduate or graduate level in an English speaking country, then you will opt for IELTS Academic. However, for those of you who want to migrate to or study below the degree level then IELTS General will be the choice.
What topics are covered in IELTS?
The topic range in IELTS is wide, however, they are selected in such a way that specialist information is not required to solve the question. Anyone with a required academic background can understand and solve the questions.
Is the test same for Academic and General Training?
Except for the writing task 1 and a minor difference in the reading comprehension the rest of the test is the same.
FAQs related to Listening Section:
What information will I get before each Listening section?
At the beginning of each section you will hear a short description of the situation you are about to listen to. This may give information about who the speakers are, where they are and what the general topic is. This description is not written on the question paper, so it is important to listen carefully.
How many times do I hear the recording?
The recording will be played only once. It’s important to maintain the focus throughout the test. If you missed something, move on to the next.
What accents do the speakers have on the recordings?
The recordings feature a variety of English native speakers’ accents ranging from Australian, British, New Zealand and to American speakers. It’s important to familiarize yourself with all of these accents before the exam.
Do answers in IELTS Listening have to be correctly spelled?
Yes. You will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar. However, words which you have to write will usually be common words. Both UK and US spellings are accepted.
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FAQs Related to Reading Section:
How do I write my answers?
It’s crucial that you fill out the entire answer sheet with your responses. Even though you can write responses on the reading transcript, the examiner won’t take them into account. You will not be given additional time to transfer your answers during the reading part; as a result, you must record all of your responses on an answer sheet within the allotted 60 minutes.
Will I lose marks for spelling and grammar mistakes in my answers?
Since you are not guessing the words but rather gleaning them from the text, it is crucial to carefully transfer the words. You won’t receive any points if you choose the right answer but then misspell it when writing it on the answer sheet.
How long should I spend on each text?
You must answer 40 questions and three passages in total during the reading test. It is advised to give each section 20 minutes. Move on and solve the other questions instead of wasting time worrying about the answers you can’t locate.
FAQs Related to Writing Section:
What should I write with, pen or pencil?
You can use any writing equipment you choose, but pencil is advised because you can erase it and prevent cutting. It should be your first priority to write as plainly as you can.
Should I write my answers in all capitals or lowercase?
Use the same writing style we use for all of our other writings. When necessary, capitalize words and use punctuation. It’s not necessary to use all capital letters.
Is there negative marking if I don’t write enough words?
IELTS Writing does not penalize students for exceeding or writing less than the word limit. However, for the Task 1 question, you must write at least 150 words, and for the Task 2 question, 250 words. This many words will allow you to clearly demonstrate your writing abilities.
How long should I spend on each task?
You have a total of one hour for each of the two tasks. You have complete control over how you use this time. You may wish to spend 40 minutes on Task 2 and 20 minutes on Task 1 because Task 2 contributes twice as much to the Writing score as Task 1 does. Additionally, you should carefully prepare your work before you begin writing, and you should allow yourself time to proofread your work in the end.
FAQs Related to Speaking Section:
Why is the IELTS Speaking test recorded?
If your performance needs to be remarked upon, the recording is required. When a student requests a rechecking because they are dissatisfied with the outcome, a different examiner will review the recording.
What if I don’t know anything about the topic in Part 2?
You don’t need to have specialized expertise to discuss the issues because they were chosen with care to reflect common experiences. In any event, you only have two minutes to talk, so even if you don’t fully understand the subject, you should be able to conjure up a tale to demonstrate your command of the English language. Keep in mind that the IELTS test measures your ability to communicate effectively in English, not your ideas.
Do I have to write notes in Part 2?
Since taking notes is optional, students would rather contemplate within the allotted time than take notes. I personally advise writing notes while you’re planning because making points on paper does help with better thinking articulation.
What should I do if I don’t understand a question?
If you don’t understand, let the examiner know. If you don’t understand a question in Parts 1 or 3, the examiner will repeat it or explain it differently. You should carefully read the task card in Part 2 because you might be able to determine the meaning of a word you are unfamiliar with.
Written By:
-Ahmed Raza is a contributing writer at Edify Group of Companies. He is also an experienced IELTS and PTE instructor. He has passion for teaching, writing and instructional design. He graduated from UET and embarked on the journey of teaching English Language tests afterwards.