IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Why do we need to know about it? Why do we need to know about it? What does it look like? What does it look like? How is it scored? How is it scored? What do students tend to have problems with? What do students tend to have problems with?

Why do we need to know about it? PSU accepts the IELTS for admission PSU accepts the IELTS for admission Undergraduate score: 6.5 with 6.0 in each band Undergraduate score: 6.5 with 6.0 in each band Graduate score 7.0: overall (no minimum band score needed!) Graduate score 7.0: overall (no minimum band score needed!)

More about scoring A score is reported for each test component. The individual test scores are then averaged and rounded to produce an Overall Band Score. Overall Band Scores and individual test scores are reported in whole and half bands.

Another reason we need to know about it More and more of our students are taking it!

What does the whole test look like? IELTS is available in two formats – Academic and General Training. Our students must take the Academic version. Each format has 4 tests, one in each of the skills. All test takers (in both the Academic and General Training tests) take the same Listening and Speaking tests. The Writing and Reading tests are different.

The first 3 tests (Listening, Reading, and Writing) must be taken the same day. The first 3 tests (Listening, Reading, and Writing) must be taken the same day. The Speaking test can be taken 7 days before or after (depending on the testing center). The Speaking test can be taken 7 days before or after (depending on the testing center). There is no break between the tests. There is no break between the tests.

Academic Format Test Components and Times 1. Listening – 40 mins 2. Academic Reading – 60 mins 3. Academic Writing – 60 mins 4. Speaking – 11 – 14 mins __________ ~ 2 hr. 45 mins ~ 2 hr. 45 mins

What does each test look like?

1st Test (40 minutes) Listening

Listening Candidates listen to 4 recorded texts – 2 conversations and 2 monologues. These feature a variety of English accents. The recording is heard only once. Candidates are given time to read the questions before each text starts.

Listening cont. They write down their answers in the test booklet while they are listening. At the end of each section, they have 30 seconds to check their answers. At the end of the test, they are given 10 minutes to transfer their answers to the official answer sheet. Poor spelling and grammar are penalized. Writing more than is necessary is penalized.

Listening Test Question types: multiple choice short-answer questions sentence completion note/summary/flow-chart/table completion labeling a diagram classification matching

Listening Section Sample Audio Audio Audio Tapescript for audio Tapescript for audio Tapescript for audio Tapescript for audio Questions for audio Questions for audio Questions for audio Questions for audio

Listening – Common Challenges Each recording played only once. Each recording played only once. Must write and listen simultaneously. Must write and listen simultaneously. Range of accents used. Range of accents used. Must follow line of argument or thought. Must follow line of argument or thought. Unfamiliar vocabulary. Unfamiliar vocabulary. Correct spelling required. Correct spelling required.

2nd Test (60 minutes) Reading

Academic Reading There are three reading passages with a total of 2000 – 2750 words. Texts are taken from books, magazines, journals and newspapers, all written for a non-specialist audience. At least one of the texts contains a detailed argument.

Academic Reading cont. Total of 40 questions 3 Categories of 10 Question Types: Matching Gap fill Selection

Reading Section Sample Reading A with questions Reading A with questions Reading A with questions Reading A with questions Reading A Answer Key Reading A Answer Key Reading A Answer Key Reading A Answer Key Reading B with questions Reading B with questions Reading B with questions Reading B with questions Readng B Answer Key Readng B Answer Key Readng B Answer Key Readng B Answer Key

Reading Common Challenges Time is short! Time is short! Unfamiliar topics Unfamiliar topics Unusual question types, such as labeling a flowchart Unusual question types, such as labeling a flowchart Incorrect spelling and grammar are penalized. Incorrect spelling and grammar are penalized. Writing more than is necessary is penalized. Writing more than is necessary is penalized.

3rd Test (60 mins) Writing

Academic Writing 2 Tasks Candidates ADVISED 20 mins for 1st task, 40 mins for 2 nd task Score based on: Task achievement Coherence and cohesion Lexical resource Grammatical range and accuracy

Writing – 1 st task Write a description of at least 150 words. Based on material found in a chart, table, graph or diagram Demonstrates ability to present information and to summarize the main features of the input.

Writing Task 1 Organization Introductory Sentence(s) – describe the information presented in the graph…. Introductory Sentence(s) – describe the information presented in the graph…. General Observations General Observations Specific Observations Specific Observations Concluding Statement – analysis of information garnered from the visual Concluding Statement – analysis of information garnered from the visual

Writing Task 1 Sample Rubric Task 1) Student Writing Student Writing Student Writing Score and Comments Score and Comments Score and Comments Score and Comments 2) Student Writing Student Writing Student Writing Score and Comments Score and Comments Score and Comments Score and Comments 3) Student Writing Student Writing Student Writing Score and Comments Score and Comments Score and Comments Score and Comments

Writing – 2 nd task Write a short essay of at least 250 words in response to a statement or question. Demonstrate an ability to present a position, construct an argument and discuss abstract issues.

Writing Task 2 Sample Rubric Task 1) Student Writing Student Writing Student Writing Score and Comments Score and Comments Score and Comments Score and Comments 2) Student Writing Student Writing Student Writing Score and Comments Score and Comments Score and Comments Score and Comments

Writing – Common Challenges Task 1 Task 1 Analyze, select, and order data Analyze, select, and order data See general trends See general trends Identify key chunks of information and exceptions to general trends Identify key chunks of information and exceptions to general trends Use complex sentence structure Use complex sentence structure Task 2 Task 2 Unfamiliar topic Unfamiliar topic Take a stand and argue it effectively Take a stand and argue it effectively

4 th (and final) Test (11-14 minutes) Speaking

Speaking The test is a face-to-face interview. Candidates are assessed on their use of spoken English to answer short questions speak at length on a familiar topic interact with the examiner

Speaking Test Sections 1. Introduction and interview (4-5 mins) Give name and talk about self, family, and own life. Give name and talk about self, family, and own life. 2. Individual long turn (3-4 mins) Given a card prompt. Given a card prompt. 1 min to prepare 1 min to prepare 1-2 mins talk 1-2 mins talk 1 min answer related question from examiner 1 min answer related question from examiner 3. Two-way discussion (4-5 mins) Related to topic on the card Related to topic on the card Less personal Less personal

Speaking Section Rubric Rubric Rubric Video of Interview – 1 st section Video of Interview – 1 st section Video of Interview – 1 st section Video of Interview – 1 st section Score and comments Score and comments Score and comments Score and comments Video of Interview – 2 nd section Video of Interview – 2 nd section Video of Interview – 2 nd section Video of Interview – 2 nd section Score and comments Score and comments Score and comments Score and comments Video of Interview – 3 rd section Video of Interview – 3 rd section Video of Interview – 3 rd section Video of Interview – 3 rd section Score and comments Score and comments Score and comments Score and comments

Speaking – Common Challenges Talking extensively Talking extensively Vocabulary Vocabulary Abstract topics in 3 rd section Abstract topics in 3 rd section

Online Resources Handbook, sample tasks, tips, etc. Handbook, sample tasks, tips, etc. english.org/ielts_free_tests.htm english.org/ielts_free_tests.htm english.org/ielts_free_tests.htm english.org/ielts_free_tests.htm Free sample tests Free sample tests Info about the test and sample questions Info about the test and sample questions Info, tips, samples, etc. Info, tips, samples, etc Online graph maker Online graph maker

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