admin The most popular and widely recognised test in the world of licensure and registration exams that helps you migrate abroad and settle as a professional is IELTS. This post is an attempt at detailing every crucial aspect of the IELTS test and its related features with the onus on how clearing the exam helps you with immigration for work requirements.
IELTS Exam
The various aspects of the IELTS exam are all extensively covered on the official website and online/offline resources.
● IELTS Meaning
IELTS full form is International English Language Testing System. It is an exam designed to help professionals like you migrate to a foreign country like the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
IELTS tests your strength, knowledge and skills in the English language in terms of reading, writing, speaking and listening. The countries that require IELTS clearance have English as their official native language.
● IELTS Exam Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for a person appearing in the IELTS exam are as follows:
- The candidate should be at least 16 years of age. Note that this is not a mandatory bar.
- Education criteria are not present as IELTS is open to everyone trying to settle abroad for work and higher studies.
- Gender, nationality, religion and race don’t matter, as the exam licensure is open to all.
- It would be great if you have prior work experience if you are planning to move abroad for a job. Regional professional experience will help you better.
- Specific eligibility conditions put forward by the organizational establishment or academic institution in the foreign country that needs your IELTS clearance matter. You should satisfy those criteria before completing the test.
● Fees Details
The IELTS exam registration fee in India is Rs. 15,500. This amount may vary according to the currency values and foreign exchange rates at the time of your application.
● IELTS Test Format
The IELTS test format is generally divided into four different categories of English language skill analysis. These are reading, writing, listening and speaking.
The final marks that you receive at the end of the test are the total of your performance in all four skill areas. The total test duration that covers all the areas is two hours and forty-five minutes.
○ Reading
The reading test is a tool to test your knowledge in the English language reading section. It consists of 40 questions, and you have 60 minutes to answer them.
The test portion covers multiple choice questions, sentence completion, summary completion, matching features and matching headings.
○ Writing
The writing test is a take on two different writing tasks. The time allotted for this is also 60 minutes with just the two questions.
○ Listening
The IELTS listening test measures your knowledge of English language listening and includes 40 questions. The time duration of the test is 30 minutes.
The listening test covers multiple choice questions, diagram labelling, sentence completion and summary completion tasks.
○ Speaking
Your proficiency in English language speaking is measured in this test which is divided into three different parts. An ideal time allotted for this segment is 11 – 14 minutes.
● IELTS Syllabus
The IELTS syllabus, as mentioned earlier, covers segments in reading, writing, listening and speaking. You can use numerous preparation techniques to deal with all the elements with the help of available resources.
● Passing Band Score
The band score for IELTS ranges from 0 – 9, with 0 showing the least grade and 9 showing the candidate’s best possible performance in the exam. The common passing band scores that are generally accepted across the globe are 6.0, 6.5 and 7.0.
Most institutions and organizations prefer 7.0, which deems you a good user of the language with essential English competency skills.
● How Long is An IELTS Score Valid?
An IELTS score is valid for two years. This time starts from the clearance of your IELTS exam and is uniform for all countries.
IELTS – Two Formats
The two accepted formats of the IELTS exam types are Academic IELTS and General Training. In both categories, the listening and speaking categories are the same. When it comes to writing and reading sections, the subject matter varies accordingly.
In IELTS tests, the reading, writing and listening sections of the exam are completed on the same day. For the speaking test, there is a one-week gap that you can exercise.
● Academic IELTS
For the Academic IELTS test, the candidates are higher education aspirants who are planning to settle abroad with professional registration concerning the same.
● General Training
For IELTS General Training test, it is taken by candidates who are planning to migrate to native English-speaking countries on a professional note. Though it works for secondary education aspirations, the highlight is on personnel willing to settle abroad in a professional capacity.
Why is IELTS Essential for Work, Study and Immigration Abroad?
The value of IELTS is irreplaceable, considering how the test clearance is valid in assisting your work, study and immigration dreams in a foreign country with English as the major language.
● IELTS for Employment
IELTS is a feature tool that helps organisations around the world determine the English language skills of a candidate. The test results provide weightage in selecting a professional based on their language skills.
The top industry that measures IELTS for professionals is the healthcare domain. Subniches include nursing, pharmacy and medicine. Industries like finance, construction, travel and tourism, energy and Government sectors widely use IELTS knowledge to test and select their work profiles.
Other industries where specific domains are covered for ensuring candidate selection using IELTS scores include engineering, law, accounting, etc. IELTS is an essential aspect of vocational training programs as well.
○ How does IELTS Help in Working Abroad?
IELTS is commonly seen as a benchmark exam among all the English language proficiency tests. The score carries the most weight when it comes to working abroad in native English-speaking countries.
Learning and clearing the test will help you become more fluent in the English language. It assists an individual in dealing with the organisation environment with confidence and courage. You don’t have to face any communication or interpersonal troubles due to a lack of English knowledge.
○ IELTS Required for A Work Visa
For work visas to native English-speaking countries, IELTS clearance is mandatory. You have to achieve the minimum band score asked by the country of migration to pass the test.
○ Jobs Abroad After IELTS
The primary choice of work destination with an IELTS is Canada. Whether it’s healthcare, medicine or media, Canada is a peak option for many professionals.
The UK, the USA and native English-speaking countries offer all types of jobs based on your skillset in clearing the IELTS. Migration and job opportunities for IELTS candidates apply to countries like New Zealand and Australia as well.
The top profiles covered are human resources, scientific & technical services, health care & social assistance, humanities, engineering and business studies, etc.
● IELTS for Study
With the help of clearing the Academic IELTS, you can shift abroad to focus on your studies and academic programs. It will support enriching your campus experience and offers better performance in your studies.
Your student experience at the college/university level will improve as a result of the IELTS program’s success. Scholarship options are also available under this scheme.
○ IELTS Score Required for Scholarship
For Indian citizens and residents, the IELTS score required to obtain a scholarship is 6.5. This band score is universally recognized by organizations for students willing to move for academic needs.
● IELTS for Immigration
IELTS serves a huge role in giving wings to your immigration aspirations. In most cases, the work and study requirements might be aimed at getting a permanent migration that will help the candidates and professionals settle in a foreign country.
General tests under the IELTS scheme are the preferred choices when you are planning to migrate to countries like Australia, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, etc. Clearing the IELTS will help you prove your efficiency in the English language with the respected authorities and verification entities.
○ Why is IELTS Important for Immigration?
IELTS is mandatory for immigration policy completion when you are dealing with opportunities to work, study and live in native English-speaking countries. A passing band score in the IELTS exam will let the authorities know that you are capable of functioning in language, communication and interpersonal skills at the minimum required level.
Scores Required to Work in Different Countries
No fixed band score for IELTS is universally applicable to all countries and organisations. The required score varies as per the eligibility criteria set forward by the regulating body or authority.
As per general norms, the IELTS scores required to work in different countries are as follows:
- For the USA, the minimum score required is 6.0.
- For France, the score requirement is 6.5.
- For migrating to Canada, the IELTS score should be at least 6.5.
- To settle and study in Australia, the authorities will ask for a 5.5 score.
- For visa procedures to the UK, a minimum band score of 5.53 is approved.
- For migration to Germany, a minimum score of 5.0 is set.
- European countries like Malta, Poland and Greece will ask for a minimum score of 5.0.
The band scores above are not an exhaustive list, and they will again vary depending on the institution or organisation where you are seeking entry for immigration (either as a student or professional).
What are The Benefits of A High IELTS Score?
The major benefits of scoring a high IELTS band score on your test are as follows:
- If you are a student, a higher IELTS score can get you admission to top-ranked international universities and colleges.
- Your global career opportunities will soar if you can back up your professional skills with an excellent performance in the IELTS exam.
- Your resume strength will improve, thereby increasing your chances to collaborate with top firms and companies.
- Your industrial ranking will rise according to the existing market standards and helps you adapt to the changing job conditions as well as new professional challenges.
- Clearing the IELTS exam with flying colours is going to raise your self-esteem and mould your personality into a better role that will help you reach your career ambitions at an extra pace.
Which Country has IELTS in Demand?
The most popular countries where you can put your IELTS scores to good use are Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. We will see these top 5 destinations now.
● Australia
The department of Home Affairs in Australia takes care of IELTS requirements that are necessary for applying to different visa categories and PR. It is accepted wholly by professional bodies and accreditation services in Australia.
● Canada
For your immigration to Canada, you have to clear the IELTS General Training test that comes under the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You can apply to and attend the exam for IELTS in any centre in India and test your English language skills.
● New Zealand
You can migrate to New Zealand for both a student visa and a residence visa based on your qualification and performance in the IELTS tests. The test helps determine your skills in the English language and matches them with the requirements set forth by the New Zealand Government.
● UK
You have to attend the IELTS exam for migrating to the UK as per the eligibility conditions demanded by UK Visas and Immigration. It helps you meet specific administrative criteria that are designed to support the organisational standing of your choosing. Your band score, as usual, will vary between zero and nine.
● USA
More than 3400 US institutions and programmes accept the IELTS passing score as a selection criterion for entry to their organisation. This includes top-level firms in global industries and Ivy League academic institutions. You may opt to clear the exam from any IELTS centre located in the country.
● Countries which Do Not Require IELTS for Immigration
You can avoid taking the IELTS exam if you are a native English language user. Most countries in Asia, Africa, South America and Southern Europe won’t ask you to clear the IELTS test for migration purposes.
Some of the top countries for you to live, work, study and migrate to without an IELTS clearance are India, Malaysia, Norway, and some universities and student visa applications in Germany, Canada and Australia.
Can I Take The IELTS Online Test from Home?
One of the top merits of an IELTS exam is your freedom to take the online test from the comfort of your home. This will help you prepare for the exam in your own space and time. All the resources required for IELTS preparation are available online.
Remote monitoring of the test will be done with the help of an AI and human combination. You should install the Inspera Exam Portal software on your computer or laptop before proceeding with the test.
Why Do People Fail The IELTS Exam?
The primary reason behind the failure of the IELTS exam is a lack of planning and preparation. You should be aware of the test demands and meet them according to thorough preparation schedules to succeed in your goal.
● IELTS Preparation and Plan
All application procedures and registration tasks should be duly completed, and you must prepare by referring to all the available resources that help you gain knowledge on the four skill areas that the test addresses. Improve your exposure to the English language through various outlets.
Be on guard against issues like procrastination and underestimating the test’s credibility. Always be aware of the destination country where you are going to apply your English language skills and prepare accordingly.
Do mock tests and plenty of practice exams with the target aim of cracking the minimum score first and then improving on it until you reach the highest possible score.
● IELTS Exam Sample
The sample IELTS practice test will help you understand the various segments and their impact from a professional and academic viewpoint. You can check out the sample exam papers and exercises on all four skill areas in the test, individually and collectively.
You have the option to check the answers and measure the performance, which will help you analyse your areas of strength and pain points/weaknesses to improve equally.
Wrapping Up
Consultation with a winning partner goes a long way in nourishing and boosting your chances of IELTS exam clearance. Find a partner agency right from the application initiation discussion and follow it up with learning measures in the form of courses and exam preparation. Good luck & cheers to your IELTS dreams!
