The international English language testing system (IELTS) is the world’s most popular English language proficiency test and is now required for Private Hire driver licensees in London. IELTS assesses all of your English skills – reading, writing, listening, and speaking, and is designed to reflect how you will use English at work in the UK.
What is IELTS
The international English language testing system (IELTS) is the world’s most popular English language proficiency test and is now required for Private Hire driver licensees in London. IELTS assesses all of your English skills – reading, writing, listening, and speaking, and is designed to reflect how you will use English at work in the UK. The IELTS test is developed by some of the world’s leading experts in language assessment. It has an excellent international reputation and is accepted by over 1oooo organization worldwide. IELTS is the most widely accepted English language test that uses a one-on-one speaking test to assess your English proficiency level. This means that you are assessed by having a real-life conversation with a real person. This is the most effective and natural way of testing your English conversation skills whether you take the IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training module.
IELTS test format
The IELTS test assesses your abilities in all four skills – listening, reading, writing, and speaking – in less than three hours.
The IELTS test format is tried and trusted by organizations and test takers worldwide and has not changed significantly for over 20 years.You will take the Listening, Reading, and Writing components of the test on the same day one after the other, with no breaks in between them (approximately 3 hours in total). They are always taken in this order. The Speaking component will either be after a break on the same day as the other three tests, or up to seven days before or after that. This will depend on your test center.
Two Versions of the Test
Everyone takes the same Listening and Speaking tests, regardless of which version they take. The Reading and Writing components differ in content, depending on whether you are taking IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training. There are also two formats of IELTS including paper-based and computer-delivered.
IELTS scores
IELTS is designed to assess English language skills at all levels and uses a 9-band scale. You will receive a score for each test component – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. These individual scores are then averaged and rounded to produce an overall band score. IELTS results are easy to understand and apply, and you will receive your scores within 13 days of taking the test.
From 1 July 2023, student visa holders can work no more than 48 hours a fortnight while studying. Student visa holders have no work restrictions when their course of study or training is not in session. These restrictions allow students to focus on obtaining a quality Australian education and qualification, while also gaining valuable work experience and contributing to Australia’s workforce needs.
