Moving or studying abroad needs to fulfil some important requirements. There are few important documents related to the reason you are going to the country, about your background, your finances, if you are a student, how you are going to manage finances and a few more formalities as suggested by the immigration authorities of the country. Well, along with these formalities, there is another important requirement, proficiency in the language. It means that you understand, speak and read the language used in the country.
For example – If you are planning to study in the UK, then you are supposed to clear the IELTS examination. Similarly, if you are planning to study in Canada then again you need to clear the IELTS examination or you may also learn French. These are the basic languages used officially in the country.
It is one of the primary conditions to clear the test and then along with the other documents your immigration file is passed to the embassy of the country. If you have not cleared the test with the required results, you are not eligible to apply for the visa. So, it is crucial to clear the test too with the required number of bands.
Importance of Language Proficiency Test
Are you wondering why it is important to learn a language? It is no big deal and also it is not the criteria to judge anybody. Why is it one of the important factors while we are moving out of the country? Language is crucial for communication. If you are not able to communicate your thoughts, requirements and problems with others then you may not be able to live in the country. Hence, it is a very important necessity. If you shift to Canada and you cannot speak French or English then how will you communicate? How will you shop? or how will you work? or how will you study? To eliminate this problem, most of the countries have created a condition that those who are willing to shift to the country should be proficient in the language so that they can communicate as per their need.
IELTS test format is one of the worldwide accepted language proficiency tests. The one who clears is eligible to apply in most of the countries. It is a four step based test that one has to clear. The scores are measured in bands. There are different requirements for different reasons. If somebody is shifting as spouse or on family visa then the band requirement is 5 bands, if someone is moving for higher studies or professional work then the band requirements ranges between 6 to 8. The higher the band scores the better chance of your visa being accepted by the other country.
Format of the test
It is a four step test based on basic parameters of the English language.
Reading – The first section is the reading section. Under this section there are three types of comprehension given to the students. These three comprehensions are based on different topics. Multiple choice questions are asked through readers and they are supposed to mark the correct answer. There is a given time period in which all the comprehensions are to be attempted.
Through the reading sections the examiners are able to access the reading ability of the applicant. It shares a clear idea whether they are able to read and understand the language.
Writing- The second section is the writing section. Again it is divided into two sections. One of the writing paragraphs is based on the given table or graph. The applicant is supposed to complete this paragraph in almost 150 words. The other part is based on a statement and the applicant needs to elaborate it and share their views about the same. Again, the word limit for the same is 250 words.
Through this test they are able to assess how well the applicant can write the language. The examiner is also able to test the grammar and basics of the language.
Listening- The next section is listening and understanding the language. Under this the applicant is asked to listen to four conversations and then answer the questions based on those conversations.
The correct answers assure that the applicant is able to understand the conversation and follow it. If somebody is not able to score well in this section, it means they do not understand the conversation and are not able to follow what the other person is communicating.
Speaking- The last section is the speaking test. Here the applicant is supposed to have a one on one interview with the examiner. Examiners generally ask the applicant to introduce themselves and then they have to speak on a topic for two minutes.
Through this interview the examiner assesses how well the applicant can speak the language and communicate their thoughts.
This is the basic pattern. It is important understand and then attempt the examination.
