IELTS is a comprehensive test of English language proficiency designed to assess
the ability of non-native speakers of English who intend to study or train in
the medium of English.
IELTS tests the complete range of English language skills which will commonly
be encountered by students when studying or training in the medium of English.
All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules. There is an option
of either Academic or General Training Reading and Writing Modules. Academic
is suitable for candidates planning to undertake higher education study. General
Training is suitable for candidates planning to undertake non academic training
or work experience, or for immigration purposes.
IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian and New Zealand academic
institutions. American academic institutions are increasingly accepting IELTS
for admissions purposes.
IELTS is accepted by many professional organisations including the New Zealand Immigration Service, the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, the Australian Medical Council, the UK General Medical Council and the UK Ministry of Defence.
IELTS is jointly managed by The University of Cambridge Local Examinations
Syndicate (UCLES), The British Council and IDP Education Australia: IELTS Australia.
Each Band corresponds to a descriptive statement giving a summary of the English of a candidate classified at that level. Overall Band Scores can be reported in either whole or half Bands.
The nine bands and their descriptive statements are as follows:
| 9 | Expert User Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding. |
| 8 | Very Good User Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well. |
| 7 | Good User Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning. |
| 6 | Competent User Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. |
| 5 | Modest User Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field. |
| 4 | Limited User Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language. |
| 3 | Extremely Limited User Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur. |
| 2 | Intermittent User No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
| 1 | Non User Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words. |
| 0 | Did not attempt the
test No assessable information provided. |
Have taken from the oficial website of IELTS: http://www.ielts.org/