IELTS Test Information for Bangladeshi Students

1. What is IELTS (International English Language Testing System) ?

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It measures ability to communicate in English across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication.

2. Why IELTS is Required?

IELTS assesses your English language ability. A good score is an entry requirement for many colleges and universities worldwide. It is widely accepted in the USA, Canada, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, UK and many other countries.

3. Who Should Take the IELTS Test?

1. Students applying to study in the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US.

2. Medical professionals planning to work or follow further study in UK, Australia or US.

3. People planning to emigrate to Canada, Australia or New Zealand.

4. Who Administer it?

IELTS is jointly managed by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia.

5. Test Center Address in Dhaka

A. IDP Education - Bangladesh

IELTS Administrator

CWN (A) 12, Kemal Ataturk Avenue

Gulshan 2, Dhaka 1212

Tel: 880 2 988 3545

Fax: 880 2 882 3343

Email: BD040.admin@treximp.com

Web: http://www.idp.com/

B. British Council Dhaka

IELTS Administrator

5 Fuller Road, Dhaka 1000

Tel: 880 2 8618905

Fax: 880 2 8613375

Email: Harun.Rashid@bd.britishcouncil.org

Web: http://www.britishcouncil.org/bangladesh

6. Test Fee

For Bangladesh, IELTS Test fee is BDT 8900

7. How to Register for IELTS?

1. You can register at any of the test centers mentioned above. Please come between 9 am and 5 pm with 3 copies of pass sized photographs, photocopy of first four pages of your passport, and tk 8900/=

2. You can also register for IELTS at the following branches of Standard Chartered Bank

A. Dhanmondi Branch: House 37, Road 2, Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka 1205

B. Gulshan Branch: Block No NE (K), 3A/1, Holding No: 168 Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka 1212

C. Uttara Branch - House 81A, Road 7, Sector 4 Uttara, Dhaka 1230

3. Read through the IELTS Information Booklet (dates, registration process, refunds, IELTS support services etc).

8. Score Report/Results

1. Results will be dispatched to the candidates’ mailing address within 14 days by courier.

2. If candidates wish to collect their results from British Council, they must make a request in advance and bring their original passport during collection.

3. Results are not provided over the phone, by e-mail or on the website.

4. If candidates wish to send results to academic institutions, government agencies, professional bodies or employers they have to provide correct and accurate contact address of those respective institutions and add their files / case number if known.

5. British Council will charge DHL fees for results sent internationally but no charge for normal post.

9. Score Report/Result Recheck Procedure

1. Candidates may apply for an enquiry on results and all recheck enquiries must be made via the IELTS administrator and reach British Council within four weeks of the issue of the results.

2. A copy of the candidate’s TRF must also be included for comparison of results.

3. The re-mark of the candidate’s work is done by trained clerical markers and Cambridge ESOL – appointed Senior Examiners employed by British Council.

4. The re-mark fee tk 7380/=  needs to be paid in advance to British Council. Re-mark fee will only be refunded if a result is changed to a higher band score.

5. British Council is notified of re-mark result within 6 to 8 weeks after receipt of exam materials.

10. How long is Score Valid?

IELTS score is valid for two years.

11. Test Category

IELTS is available in two categories.

A. Academic

B. General Training

A. Academic Modules:

1. This module assesses whether a candidate is ready to study or train in the medium of English at an undergraduate or postgraduate level.

B. General Training:

1. This module emphasizes basic survival skills in a broad social and educational context.

2. General training is suitable for candidates who are going to English speaking countries to complete their secondary education, to undertake work experience or training programs not at degree level.

3. This module is also useful for immigration purposes to Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

12. IELTS Score Scale

IELTS scores range from 1 to 9.

13. What is the Standard Score for IELTS?

There is no standard score for IELTS Test. But, most of the Universities accept over all band score 6 or higher.

14. What to Bring to the Test Center

1. A valid original passport.

2. Pens, pencils and erasers.

3. Mobile phones and pagers must be switched off and placed with personal belongings in the area designated by the supervisor.

15. Cancellation/Refund of test fee

1. If Candidates wish to cancel registration five weeks before the test date they will receive a refund tk 7400/= through bank transfer.

2. If candidates wish to cancel registration within five weeks before to the test date no refund will be offered.

3. Candidates must include the original money receipt with the prescribed refund application form. However the centre will deduct a nominal administrative charge.

4. Candidates, who seek to cancel their registration for serious illness, may get a refund if they can satisfy the Administrator that their ability to sit the test has been affected. Serious causes include:

a. Serious illness –e.g. hospital admission or serious injury (Does not include minor illness such as a mild cold)

b. Loss or bereavement – death of a close family member

c. Hardship/ trauma – victim of crime, victim of a traffic accident

d. Military service

5. You can register for the Test, at least 7 days before from your IELTS Exam Deadline.

16. Test Modules

a. Candidates are tested in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Candidates of both categories take the same Listening and Speaking Modules.

b. There is a choice of Reading and Writing for Modules Academic and General training.

c. It is the responsibility of the candidates to tell the Administrator which version, Academic or General Training, they need to take.

d. The first three modules- Listening, Reading, Writing must be completed in one day. No break is given between the three modules.

e. Speaking Module may be taken, at the discretion of the test center, in the period seven days before or after the other three modules.

A. Listening Module

Time: It takes around 30 minutes.

No. of Questions: 40 questions.

Sections: There are 4 sections.

1. During the test, candidate will be given time to read, write and check the questions & answers.

2. Answers are written on the Question Paper as candidates listen.

3. When the recording ends ten minutes are allowed for candidates to transfer their answers to an Answer Sheet.

4. The first two sections are concerned with social needs. There is a conversation between two speakers and then a monologue.

5. The final two sections are concerned with situations related more closely to educational or training contexts. There is a conversation between up to four people and then a further monologue.

6. A range of accents and dialects are used in recording which reflects the international usage of IELTS.

B. Reading Module

Time: It takes 60 minutes.

No. of Questions: 40 questions based on three reading passages with a total of 2000 to 2750 words.

1. Both the Academic Reading and General Training Reading Modules have the same format.

2. All answers must be entered on an Answer Sheet during the 60-minute test. No extra time is allowed for transmitting the answer.

Academic Reading:

1. Texts are taken from magazines, journals, books and newspaper. Texts have been written for a non-specialist audience.

2. At least one text contains a detailed logical argument. Texts may contain non-verbal materials such as diagrams, graphs or illustrations. If texts contain technical terms then a simple glossary is provided.

General Training Reading:

1. First section  “social survival”:

It contains texts relevant to basic linguistic survival in English with tasks mainly about retrieving and providing general factual information.

2. Second section “Training survival”:

a. It focuses on the training context, for example on the training program itself or on welfare needs.

b. This section involves a text or texts of more complex language with some precise or elaborated expression.

3. Third section, “general reading”:

It involves reading more extended prose with a more complex structure but with the emphasis on descriptive and instructive rather than argumentative texts, in a general context relevant to the wide range of candidates involved.

C. Writing Module

Time: It takes 60 minutes for two tasks.

Task One: Write at least 150 words within 20 minutes.

Task Two: Write at least 250 words within 40 minutes.

1. Answers must be given on the Answer Sheet and must be written in full.

2. Notes or bullet points in whole or in part are not acceptable as answers.

3. Candidates should note that scripts under the required minimum word limit will be penalized.

Academic Writing:

1. In task one, candidates are asked to describe some information (graph/table/chart/diagram), and to present the description in their own words. They may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of process, how something works, or describe an object or event.

2. In task two, candidates are presented with a point of view or argument or problem.

3. Candidates need to demonstrate their ability to respond appropriately in terms of content, vocabulary, and the organization of ideas. Appropriate responses are descriptions/summaries for Task One and short essay for Task Two and these should be formal in style.

General Training Writing:

1. In task one, candidates are asked to respond to a given problem with a letter requesting information or explaining a situation.

2. In task two, candidates are presented with a point of view or argument or problem.

3. Candidates need to demonstrate their ability to respond appropriately in terms of content, vocabulary and the organization of ideas. Appropriate responses are personal, semi-formal or formal correspondence for Task One and short essay for Task Two.

4. In General Training Task Two a slightly more personal response is acceptable than in Academic Writing Task Two.

D. Speaking Module

Time: It takes around 11 to 14 minutes.

1. It consists of an oral interview between the candidate and an examiner.

2. All interviews are recorded.

3. In Part One:

a. Candidates answer general questions about themselves, their homes/families, their jobs/studies, their interests, and a range of familiar topic areas.

b. It lasts between four and five minutes.

4. In Part Two:

a. The candidate is given a verbal prompt on a card and is asked to talk on a particular topic. b. The candidate has one minute to prepare before speaking at length for up to two minutes. The examiner then asks one or two rounding-off questions.

5. In Part Three:

a. The examiner and candidate engaged in a discussion of more abstract issues and concept which are thematically linked to the topic prompt in Part Two.

b The discussion lasts between four and five minutes.

Last Update: June 09 2007 12:41:33