About IELTS Test
IELTS Test – International English Language Testing System is the leading English language proficiency test, accepted across Europe and the rest of the world. As an internationally recognised qualification, whether you need it to gain entry to university, or want to prove your level to an employer, a good IELTS score is sure to impress. This world-class qualification is British and is administered by both Cambridge ESOL and the British Council.
Our IELTS preparation courses are geared towards the academic IELTS exam. The academic IELTS exam is designed for those who want to gain entry to universities and other institutions of higher education, as well as professionals who want to study or work in an English-speaking country.
Cactus Language offers a number of IELTS Preparation courses across the UK and other English-speaking countries. We also offer IELTS Online Courses so you can prepare for the Exam from home. All courses will prepare you for the exam, teach you the techniques you need to know, and will help you get the score you need.
IELTS Test – Exam Structure
The IELTS exam is divided into four sections, based on the four main skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
The reading, writing and listening modules are 2 hours 45 minutes long. The speaking module takes around 15 minutes to complete and can be taken up to 7 days before or after the rest of the exam.
Speaking: general topics, one prepared topic and discussion.
Listening: you will be asked different types of questions and you will need to write exactly what you hear. Spelling is also taken into account.
Reading: you will read three extracts followed by questions including multiple choice, writing words, matching and summarizing.
Writing: typical topics include Present and Support an Opinion; Discuss Problems/Solutions; Weigh Two Arguments, etc.
The test is scored from 1 (no knowledge) to 9 (expert user). You can also get a .5 score (eg. 7.5 or 8.5).
The accepted level of English depends on the institution. In the UK, a 6.5 score is usually required for undergraduate programmes, 7.5 for postgraduate programmes, 5 for other courses and vocational programmes. Students who want to enrol on a PhD may need a score of 8 points.
It usually takes around 100 hours of study to increase your score by 0.5.
The exam results are available 13 days after taking the exam.
While there is no official expiration date, institutions are advised not to accept an IELTS report older than two years.
IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand and South African academic institutions, a great number of American instutions, and various professional organisations worldwide. It is also a requirement for immigrating to Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The IELTS Exam fee is usually £175-200, but can vary depending on the exam centre.
You will need to register and pay online in advance. When taking an IELTS Preparation course with one of our partner schools, the school will be able to assist you with this.
The IELTS Test – Preparation Courses
IELTS Preparation courses focus on the exam methodology. Their aim is to prepare you to the way the exam works and on what is expected to achieve a particular score.
It is advisable to have at least a B1 (Intermediate) level to enrol on an IELTS preparation course. If your level is lower than B1, we recommend you take a
General English course to improve your level, before enrolling on an IELTS preparation course.
You can check all the
IELTS online courses. The IELTS courses will prepare you for the academic IELTS exam. You will learn everything you need to know from the comfort of your home. You can also take an
online English course.
The price per week can be as low as £130 for a part-time course and is usually between £200 and £400 for a full-time course.
You can find your nearest IELTS test centre on the official
IELTS website. Some of our partner schools are IELTS test centres.
Our IELTS Exam Preparation Courses – Choose Your Course
To book an IELTS Test Preparation Course just click ‘Book now’ below. Check the start dates, select the number of weeks, select an accommodation option and airport transfers and then check the price before you book. Get a quick quote now! For IELTS online courses click here.
For more information on our IELTS Preparation courses or to make a booking, please contact us or call us on 00 44 (0) 1273 830 960.
Visa to the UK
If you are a non-EU student and want to study in the UK, you will need to apply for a visa. You have the choice of applying for a Short Term Study Visa of 6 month or a Short Term Study Visa of 11 months. You can study English at a British Council-accredited school for up to 11 months on this visa and in order to do so, you will need to have booked a course for longer than 6 months. More information on the Short Term Study Visa is available on the British Government’s website or you can contact us directly for advice about your visa application.
