The International English Language Test (IELTS) is a standardized test designed to assess a non-English speaker’s proficiency in the English language. It is also one of the most popular English language tests required by governments, higher education institutions, and companies around the world.
Getting an IELTS test certificate makes it possible for non-native English speakers to study in an English institution to progress their academic and professional careers and gain various opportunities. Let’s dive into the top three reasons to take the IELTS.
It’s Recognized Worldwide
The IELTS has been setting the standard for English proficiency testing for more than 25 years now. In addition, it is present and recognized by more than 10,000 organizations, and over 140 countries worldwide.
Organizations that recognize the IELTS consist of universities, training institutions, government agencies, immigration departments, and even corporate organizations. Each has its own required minimum band score in the IELTS scoring system.
Those who recognize the test are not limited to only English-speaking countries. For example, France, where the official language is French, also recognizes the IELTS when accepting students in some of its higher education institutions.
Unlike other standardized tests that require test-takers to sit for their exam in the country they want to study in or migrate to, IELTS offers convenience by having test centers worldwide.
It Gives You the Opportunity to Study, Work, and Live Abroad
English is one of the most spoken languages in the world today, and being able to communicate in this language increases your opportunities in many English-speaking countries, which are also some of the richest and technologically advanced in the world.
Many students who want to study abroad, especially in English-speaking countries, usually take the IELTS test to get into their desired educational institution. However, contrary to popular belief, the IELTS test isn’t only for students.
Test-takers can choose between two types of IELTS test: Academic or General Training. The IELTS Academic test, as the name implies, is for individuals who want to study in higher education and professional institutions and earn undergraduate or postgraduate degrees. This test focuses on language used in an academic or professional setting.
The IELTS General Training test, on the other hand, is designed for those wanting to migrate to an English-speaking country. It focuses on everyday English and features vocabularies and situations in social and workplace settings.
It Gives an Accurate Representation of Your English Language Skills
The IELTS is developed by language specialists from some of the biggest English-speaking countries in the world, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
The IELTS tests four components, namely listening, reading, writing, and speaking, which are all important in assessing one’s language skills. The test also includes a live discussion with an evaluator. In addition, the test questions reflect everyday situations to prepare test-takers for real-life situations.
Another thing to know about the IELTS is that there are no passing or failing scores in the test. The IELTS uses band scores (0-9) to gauge one’s English proficiency for each component. The overall band score indicates the level of the test-taker’s English skills as a whole.
Getting a score of 4 means the test-taker’s English skills are only limited to familiar situations and they have a hard time understanding and using complex language. A score of 9 shows that the test-taker has full command of the English language.
Although there is no actual pass or fail in the IELTS, different institutions have their own accepted band scores when taking in international students. In the United States, a good overall IELTS score is 6 to 7, with 7 being accepted in several Ivy League institutions.
These are just some of the best reasons to take the IELTS. If you would like to learn more about the IELTS and other standardized tests, browse through our other articles here on MSM Unify.
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