The most commonly accepted English language test in Australia is International English language Testing System (IELTS). Apart from this, the Australian education system also accepts other tests like TOEFL, CAE, and PTE.
In this article, we will have a look at the most common and widely accepted English language proficiency tests in Australia:
- International English language Testing System (IELTS)
- How to Prepare
- Evaluation System
- Test Format/Syllabus
International English language Testing System (IELTS)
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is jointly managed by the University of Cambridge, the British Council and IDP Education Australia, and is the main test for students seeking to enroll in Australian Universities. The test is designed to evaluate the language ability of those who want to study or work where English is the language of communication. Its score is recognized by over 6,000 organizations worldwide, including universities, employers, professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies.
The test is internationally focused in its content. For instance, the Listening test section uses a range of native-speaker accents (North American, Australian, New Zealand, and British) and all standard varieties of English are accepted in candidates' responses in all parts of the test.
(Click here to see the list of Australian educational institutions that accept IELTS score for entry to their programmes).
How to Prepare
An individual preparing for IELTS should familiarize himself with the pattern of the test. It will be helpful for you if you do practice test constantly. You can purchase official IELTS Practice Materials from test centers or online. These materials comprises full practice test with answers, and sample Writing and Speaking performances with examiner comments. You do not need to attend a preparation course. Bust in case you like assistance to improve your performance, IELTS centers and language schools around the world offers preparation courses. For additional information about resources, students can click here.
Additional Readings on Preparation:
Evaluation System
IELTS is designed to evaluate English language skills at all levels. There is no pass or fail in IELTS as the results are presented as band scores on a scale from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest).
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
IELTS Band Score Scale |
|
|---|---|
| 9 | Expert user |
| 8 | Very good user |
| 7 | Good user |
| 6 | Competent user |
| 5 | Modest user |
| 4 | Limited user |
| 3 | Extremely limited user |
| 2 | Intermittent user |
| 1 | Non user |
| 0 | Did not attempt the test |
Also Read: Minimum IELTS Score for Top Australian Universities in 2024
Test Format/Syllabus
The test comprises four modules. Some of these modules are further divided into Academic module and General Training module.
The Academic module is for candidates wishing to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and for those seeking professional registration
The General Training module is for candidates wishing to migrate to an English-speaking country (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK), and for those wishing to train or study at below degree level.
Modules |
No. of Sections |
No. of Questions |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 4 | 40 | Approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes’ transfer time) |
| General Training Reading | 3 | 40 | - |
| General Training Writing | - | 2 Tasks (150 and 250 words) | - |
| Academic Reading | - | 40 | 60 minutes (no extra transfer time) |
| Academic Writing | - | 2 Tasks (150 and 250 words) | 60 minutes |
| Speaking | 3 | 11-14 minutes |
After learning the complete format familiarize yourself with all the topics that you need to cover while preparing for the test. You can get online practice tests and make sure to do it while following the time. Prepare for the Listening test by listening to the audio recordings. Similarly, prepare for the Reading and Writing sections accordingly. Make sure you do as much practice as possible in order to get a decent IELTS score.
There is no pass or fail in the IELTS exam. Students taking the IELTS exam are graded on their performance in the IELTS test using Bands from 1 – 9 for each skill of the test: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. Candidates would also receive an overall band score which would be the average of all the individual scores received by the candidate and rounded to the nearest half band. The IELTS exam does not have a passing score. Universities abroad would have an IELTS minimum score requirement which is often referred to as the IELTS cut-off. This is the minimum score that candidates need to achieve to apply to the university. Candidates should note that getting the minimum IELTS score does not guarantee admission to the university. Candidates are required to score higher than the expected IELTS cut-off.
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