Test  Format (For Academic Module and General Training Module)

Section information briefly

Listening

The listening part consists of four recorded texts, which are monologues and conversations by a range of native speakers. Questions on these scripts include that test your ability to understand main ideas and detailed factual information, ability to understand the opinions and attitudes of speakers, ability to understand the purpose of an utterance and the ability to follow the development of ideas. 

Reading (Academic)

The Academic version includes three long texts which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. The texts are authentic and are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. These have been selected for a non-specialist audience but are appropriate for people entering university courses or seeking professional registration. The test consists of 40 questions. A variety of question types is used in order to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding the logical argument and recognising writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose.

Reading (General Training)

The General Training version requires test takers to read extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment. The test consists of 40 questions. A variety of question types is used in order to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognizing writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose. 

Writing (Academic)

The Writing component of IELTS Academic includes two tasks, Task 1 and Task 2. Task 1 presents a graph, table, chart or diagram and the examinee is asked to describe, summarize or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event. In Task 2, you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Responses to both tasks must be in a formal style. Topics are of general interest to, and suitable for test takers entering undergraduate and postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration.

Writing (General Training)

The Writing component of IELTS General Training includes two tasks which are based on topics of general interest.

In Task 1 you will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information, or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.

In Task 2 you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be slightly more personal in style than the Academic Writing Task 2 essay.

Speaking

The Speaking component assesses your use of spoken English, and takes between 11 and 14 minutes to complete. Every test is recorded. The Speaking component is delivered in such a way that it does not allow people to rehearse set responses beforehand.

Part 1: The examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between 4 and 5 minutes.

Part 2: You will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have 1 minute to prepare before speaking for up to 2 minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic to finish this part of the test.

Part 3: You will be asked further questions connected to the topic in Part 2. These questions will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts between 4 and 5 minutes.

Scoring

Results are reported as band scores on a scale from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest). A score is given for each test component Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. These individual scores are then averaged and rounded to produce an overall band score.

IELTS coaching at Shine

Coaching for IELTS always begins with a mock test. The test result allows an individual to know where he stands and consequently provides him an idea of how much effort is required to achieve a desirable score.

From the second session, our faculties start with a specific module. For Listening sessions, audios are played and students answer the questions using their question booklets. Towards the end of the Listening test, answers are provided while focusing on conventions of English writing and spellings. Then our teachers replay the entire Listening test taking pauses at every answer and explaining the same to students. In this way, we complete 6 – 8 listening tests with our students. For Reading sessions, our teachers provide strategies with regard to how to do the reading. Then the passages are taken individually from tests and discussed with the students. In this way, 15 – 21 passages are practiced in class. For Writing part, initially the two types of tasks are discussed and guidelines are provided with regard to the composition of essays. Then students are asked to write actual essays on Task 1 and Task 2 topics. Students’ essays are graded and strategies are provided to make the essays better. In this way, our teachers complete 6 – 8 essays on Task 1 and Task 2 each. For Speaking, we conduct one-on-one interview session, exactly simulating testing conditions. We conduct 6 – 8 mock sessions of interviews. Scores are given and strategies are provided to enhance the scores.

After completing classroom sessions, we conduct 7 full-length mock tests exactly on the lines of actual IELTS test, so that our students get the feel of the testing environment.           

Salient Features

• Intensive and comprehensive classroom coaching of 40 hours.
• Qualified, experienced and trained teachers.
• Small batch size (maximum 12 students per batch).
• Personalized Coaching.
• 7 full-length mock tests post classroom coaching.
• Well-stocked library.
• Cambridge IELTS official books are been provided. 
• Early morning and late evening batches.