The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) measures the language proficiency of people who want to study or work where English is used as a language of communication. It uses a nine-band scale to clearly identify levels of proficiency, from non-user (band score 1) through to expert (band score 9).
IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training
IELTS is available in two test versions: Academic – for people applying for higher education or professional registration, and General Training for those migrating to Australia, Canada and the UK, or applying for secondary education, training programme and work experience in an English-speaking environment. Both versions provide a valid and accurate assessment of the four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
The Listening, Reading and Writing components of all IELTS tests are completed on the same day, with no breaks in between them.
The Speaking component, however, can be completed up to a week before or after the other tests. Your test centre will advise.
The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Test format – Listening
30 minutes
You will listen to four recordings of native English speakers and then write your answers to a series of questions.
Assessors will be looking for evidence of your ability to understand the main ideas and detailed factual information, the opinions and attitudes of speakers, the purpose of an utterance and evidence of your ability to follow the development of ideas.
Test format – Reading
60 minutes
The Reading component consists of 40 questions, designed 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 recognising writers’ opinions, attitudes and purpose.
IELTS Academic test
this includes three long texts which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. These are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. They have been selected for a non-specialist audience but are appropriate for people entering university courses or seeking professional registration.
IELTS General Training test
this includes 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.
Test format – Academic Writing
60 minutes
IELTS Academic test
Topics are of general interest to, and suitable for, test takers entering undergraduate and postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration. There are two tasks:
IELTS General Training
Topics are of general interest. There are two tasks:
Test format – Speaking
11–14 minutes
The speaking component assesses your use of spoken English. Every test is recorded.
The ACT contains four multiple-choice tests—English, mathematics, reading, and science—and an optional writing test. These tests are designed to measure skills that are most important for success in postsecondary education and that are acquired in secondary education. The score range for each of the four multiple-choice tests is 1–36. The Composite score is the average of the four test scores rounded to the nearest whole number.
The ACT English test measures understanding of the conventions of standard English, production of writing, and knowledge of language.
The ACT mathematics test assesses the skills students typically acquire in courses taken through grade 11. The test questions require the use of reasoning skills to solve practical problems in mathematics. Knowledge of basic formulas and computational skills are assumed, but recall of complex formulas and extensive computation is not required.
The ACT reading test measures reading comprehension. The questions require the use of referring and reasoning skills to determine main ideas; locate and interpret significant details; understand sequences of events; make comparisons; comprehend cause-effect relationships; determine the meaning of context-dependent words, phrases, and statements; draw generalizations; and analyze voice and method.
The ACT science test measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences. Scientific information is conveyed in one of three formats: data representation, research summaries, or conflicting viewpoints. Questions require recognition and understanding of the basic features of, and concepts related to, the provided information; the critical examination of the relationship between the information provided and the conclusions drawn or hypotheses developed; and the generalization of given information to gain new information, draw conclusions, or make predictions.
The optional ACT writing test is an essay test that measures writing skills taught in high school English classes and entry level college composition courses. The test describes an issue and provides three different perspectives on the issue. Each student must (1) analyze and evaluate the given perspectives, (2) state and develop a perspective on the issue, and (3) explain the relationship between that perspective and those given.
What is the ACT?
Many colleges require scores from the ACT or SAT tests as a part of the admissions process. Your ACT score is a key component of your college applications.
ACT BASICS
ACT Length | 2 hrs, 55 minutes (plus 40 minutes if taking ACT with writing) |
---|---|
ACT sections | • English • Math • Reading • Science • Writing (optional) |
Cost | US without Writing: $50.50 USD US with Writing: $67.00 USD Non-US without Writing: $150.00 USD Non-US with Writing: $166.50 USD |
Max. Score | 36 |
Avg. Score | 21 |
About the ACT
The ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. It is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test administered by ACT, Inc.
The purpose of the ACT test is to measure a high school student’s readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays. How important ACT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school.
Overall, the higher you score on the ACT and/or SAT, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available to you.
When should I take the ACT?
Most high school students take the ACT, SAT, or both during the spring of their junior year or fall of their senior year. It’s important to leave time to re-take the test if you need to raise your score before you apply to college. The ACT exam is offered nationally every year in September, October,
December, February*, April, June, and July*.
The ACT also includes an optional 40-minute Writing Test. Some colleges may require that you complete the ACT Writing Test.
How long is the ACT?
The ACT is 2 hours and 55 minutes long. If you choose to take the ACT with Essay, the test will be 3 hours and 35 minutes long.
How is the ACT scored?
Each section of the ACT is scored on a 1 to 36 point scale. Your composite ACT score is the average of your four section scores, also on a scale from 1 to 36. If you take the ACT with Writing Test, you will receive a separate score on the Writing Test.
How do I register for the ACT?
Registration deadlines fall approximately five weeks before each ACT test date. You can get registration materials from your school counselor, or you can register online on the ACT website.
The TOEFL formally known as Test Of English as a Foreign Language, is a test of an individual’s ability to use and understand English in an academic setting. The test is designed and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS), and TOEFL is a registered trademark of ETS. It was developed to address the problem of ensuring English language proficiency for non-native speakers wishing to study at U.S. universities. It has become an admission requirement for non-native English speakers at many English-speaking colleges and universities. Additionally, institutions such as government agencies, licensing bodies, businesses, or scholarship programs may require this test. A TOEFL score is valid for two years and then will no longer be officially reported
Internet-based Test
Since its introduction in late 2005, the TOEFL iBT format has progressively replaced both the computer-based tests (CBT) and paper-based tests (PBT), although paper-based testing is still used in select areas. The TOEFL iBT test has been introduced in phases, with the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy in 2005 and the rest of the world in 2006, with test centers added regularly.
Although initially, the demand for test seats was higher than availability, and candidates had to wait for months, it is now possible to take the test within one to four weeks in most countries. The four-hour test consists of four sections, each measuring one of the basic language skills (while some tasks require integrating multiple skills) and all tasks focus on language used in an academic, higher-education environment. Note-taking is allowed during the TOEFL iBT test. The test cannot be taken more than once a week.
Section | Time Limit | Questions | Tasks |
---|---|---|---|
Reading | 35 minutes | 20 questions | Read 2 passages from academic texts and answer questions. |
Listening | 36 minutes | 28 questions | Listen to lectures, classroom discussions and conversations, then answer questions |
Break | 10 minutes | - | - |
Speaking | 16 minutes | 4 task s | Express an opinion on a familiar topic; speak based on reading and listening tasks |
The test you take may include extra questions in the Reading or Listening section that do not count toward your score. These are either questions that enable ETS to make test scores comparable across administrations or new questions that help ETS determine how such questions function under actual testing conditions.
Your scores are based on your performance on the questions in the test. You must answer at least 1 question each in the Reading and Listening sections, write at least 1 essay, and complete at least 1 Speaking task to receive an official score. For the TOEFL iBT® test, administered via the internet, you will receive 4 scaled section scores and a total score: