International English Language Testing System

The International English Language Testing System ( IELTS / aɪ.ɛlts / ) is a language test that determines a person's skills in the English language.

Types

IELTS is available in two different test versions that are aimed at different user groups:

Academic - This test is completed mainly by students who wish to study at a university in an English speaking country or a German university. Most universities in Australia, Britain, Ireland, Canada and New Zealand as well as over 3,000 facilities in the U.S. (number steadily rising) accept the test as a prerequisite. More and more German universities and colleges require the IELTS for study programs with international components ( Bachelor / Master). People who work in the medical field must sit the IELTS test in order to obtain a work permit in the above countries.

General Training - This variant is completed by persons who need proof of their general English skills, for example, for the profession or for immigration.

Construction of a test

It checks the four areas. Overall, the test takes two hours and 55 minutes.

  • Listening ( Listening ), 40 minutes
  • Reading Comprehension (Reading), 60 minutes
  • Writing ( Writing ), 60 minutes
  • Speak ( Speaking ), 11-14 minutes

Test results

IELTS test candidates can check their results online on the 13th day after their test date. At the same time give them a certificate (IELTS Test Report Form ) will be sent by post. The test results are valid for two years.

Rating scale

  • 9 - Expert: Fluent with full understanding (Expert User: Fluent with complete understanding )
  • 8 - Very good: fully -ready command of language, occasional inaccuracies ( GoodUser: Full operational command, occasional inaccuracies )
  • 7 - Good: Ready- command of the language, occasional inaccuracies (Good User: Operational command, occasional inaccuracies )
  • 6 - Competent: Effective command of the language, inaccuracies ( Competent User: Effective command, inaccuracies )
  • 5 - In moderation: Partial mastery of the language, many errors ( Modest User: Partial command, many mistakes )
  • 4 - Limits: Limited knowledge of the language, very common problems ( Limited User: Limited command, frequent problems )
  • 3 - Very limited: Only general understanding ( Extremely Limited User: Only general understanding )
  • 2 - Infrequent: Only elementary comprehension difficulties ( Intermittent User: Only basic understanding with difficulty )
  • 1 - No Application: No language ability (Non User: No language ability )
  • 0 - Did not participate in the test ( Did Not Take Test )

In the classification of the European Framework of Reference of the result range 4.0 to 5.0 at Level B1, 5.0 to 6.5 the range B2, 7.0 to 8.0 8.0 to 9.0 of a C1 and C2 corresponds to the level of competence.

Test centers in Germany

For the IELTS test, a test fee of currently ( March 2014 ) will be charged 215 €. The test must be stored in an official test center. Operators in Germany is the British Council.

The British Council offers the test in Aachen, Berlin, Bremen, Dusseldorf, Dortmund, Frankfurt, Freiburg, Hamburg, Hanover, Cologne, Leipzig, Mannheim, Munich and Stuttgart.

Information about test dates are posted on the website of the British Council.

Test centers in Switzerland

The IELTS test in Switzerland costs CHF 335 in Switzerland is the organizer of the British Council in Bern. Tests will be held in Bern, Zurich and Geneva regularly.

Test centers in Austria

The IELTS test operators in Austria, the British Council in Vienna Vienna. The test takes place in Vienna and Graz.

Criticism

There has been criticism that German applicants often rely on IELTS for proof of their English skills, since many universities only recognize these or similar expensive TOEFL test. Thus, the socially disadvantaged are disadvantaged by the high test fee, also grab the universities back to an external service provider for the test. The University of Hamburg waived for the English language and literature Bachelor since May 2012 on language certificates from external providers and therefore has made ​​" very positive experience ". So the quality of the applicants have not abated, according to Dean of Studies Prof. Susanne Rupp.

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