21 June 2023
The IELTS, or the International English Language Testing System, is one of the most popular and widely accepted standardized language tests for international students. Generally, international students looking to study in academic institutes abroad appear for the IELTS, but it may be required for various visa applicants as well.
Most academic organizations accept IELTS as a valid English language test to evaluate the proficiency of the candidate. The main parts of the IELTS test are Speaking, Listening, Writing, and Reading. In order to be considered for admission to foreign countries, applicants are required to score at least the minimum marks set for each section individually as well as the combined score.
The reading section is one of the most essential sections of the test, and it is imperative to score well in this section. In this article, we will read about the IELTS reading score calculator.
What are the different categories of the IELTS test?
There are two main categories of the IELTS, the General Training test and the Academic test. If you are an international student applying for admission to educational institutes located in countries different from your country of citizenship, you need to appear for the IELTS Academic test.
However, if you are migrating to another country or traveling for business, you will be required to take the IELTS General Training (IELTS GT). Even though the four sections, Reading, Speaking, Listening, and Writing, in both tests are the same, the number of questions may differ.
In the IELTS Academic test, the applicant needs to complete three passages in the Reading section, whereas the IELTS General Training test consists of five passages.
What is the structure of the IELTS test?
It is crucial for IELTS applicants to understand how the test is structured as well as scored to tailor their preparation in a way that can maximize their score.
Here are some important things that test-takers should keep in mind regarding the structure of the IELTS test:
- The grades awarded for both the IELTS General Training test and the IELTS Academic test are the same.
- The IELTS test measures the Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening skills of the candidate. Even though all skills are thoroughly evaluated in the test, the applicant needs to appear for the Speaking test separately.
- The IELTS score can range from 0 to 9. The score increases in 0.5 increments.
- Once an applicant appears for the IELTS, their score stays valid for the next 24 months.
What is the breakdown of each section in the IELTS?
Here is the general breakdown of the four sections in the IELTS Academic test:
- The Reading section has 40 questions, and the applicant gets 60 minutes to complete it.
- The Speaking section includes 3 parts, and the candidate gets somewhere between 11 to 14 minutes to finish it.
- The Listening section has 40 questions, and the test-taker needs to complete it in 30 minutes.
- The Writing section consists of 2 parts, and the applicant gets 60 minutes to complete it.
How does the IELTS band score evaluate language proficiency?
The test-takers are awarded a band score after the assessment of their test is complete. This score is directly proportional to the level of skills possessed by the applicant. Here is the complete breakdown:
- A band score of 9 stands for Expert User.
- If an applicant scores 8 band scores, they are classified as a Very Good User.
- A band score of 7 stands for Good User.
- A band score of 6 signifies a Competent User.
- If an applicant scores 5 band scores, they are classified as a Modest User.
- A band score of 4 stands for Limited User.
- People who score 3 band scores fall under Extremely Limited User.
- A band score of 2 signifies an Intermittent User.
- If an applicant scores 1 band score, they are classified as Non-user.
How is the IELTS Reading section scored?
The Reading section requires the test-takers to solve 40 questions. Questions included in this part of the IELTS have different types, such as Sentence Completion, True and False or Not Given, Multiple Choices Selection, and Matching.
The Reading section is marked quite differently from the Writing and Speaking sections of the test since the answers provided by the candidate can either be incorrect or correct.
For every correct response, the applicant can earn one mark. The band score is evaluated from the total marks acquired by the applicant.
Conclusion
The candidates appearing for the IELTS need to remember that all sections of the test are equally important, including the Reading section.
A good score in the Reading section can make all the difference in improving the overall score of test-takers.
It is often advised that applicants should understand the overall structure and format of the IELTS test as well as how scores are calculated beforehand so they can adjust their preparation accordingly.
Have any doubts? Contact the best study visa consultants for assistance.
