IELTS General Preparation with the British Council
IELTS General Preparation with the British Council
6th Aug 2021 |
Need to start your IELTS General Preparation? British Council has you covered. Our extensive range of free online learning materials will help you get ready for the exam and earn the best mark possible.
Still haven’t booked your test? Book it here!
What Is the IELTS General Training Test?
There are two types of IELTS tests: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
The IELTS General Training Test is for those applying to an immigration program, such as Express Entry in Canada, and the Academic exam is for those looking to study at a Canadian university or another form of higher education.
IELTS General Training has the same listening and speaking sections as the Academic test but slightly different reading and writing sections.
Find out more about the IELTS General Training test format here. Then, scroll to the ‘About the test format’ section.
How Can I Prepare for the IELTS General Training Test?
At the British Council, we offer a wide range of free online resources to help you prepare for your IELTS General Training Test. From webinars to IELTS General Practice Tests, study packs and free learning apps, plus a comprehensive online assessment tool.
Visit our Prepare for IELTS page to access the following study materials for your IELTS general preparation:
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- Free apps, which help you to:
- Learn more about each section of the IELTS test
- Practise your skills.
- Get IELTS test tips.
- Improve your grammar and vocabulary skills.
- IELTS study packs, so you can:
- Enjoy weekly webinars with our IELTS experts.
- Access even more free resources.
- Learn the skills you need for test day.
- Free apps, which help you to:
We also offer free webinars delivered by IELTS experts and “IELTS Ready”, our comprehensive e-learning and online assessment tool. Download sample tests, practice interactive activities, and get expert advice to enhance your IELTS general preparation.
Free General Training Practice Tests with the British Council
Prepare for your IELTS General Training Test with British Council’s free online practice tests. Practice all four sections—Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking—to boost your confidence and get ready for test day.
IELTS General Reading Practice Test:
IELTS Listening Practice Test:
IELTS Speaking Practice Test:
IELTS Writing Practice Test:
Watch Our Video for More Information on Free Practice Tests and Resources
How Much Preparation Should I Do Before the IELTS Test?
This is a very common question! IELTS general preparation varies from person to person. It is important to know what level you are at (you can take a practice test to know this). Once you know your approximate level, you may feel ready to take the test or will need to start working on areas to improve.
Make sure you prepare thoroughly so that you are ready for the test day. The time needed for IELTS general preparation depends on your starting level, study habits, and learning speed.
Can I Fail the IELTS Test?
The IELTS test is not pass or fail, so you cannot fail the exam. You are simply given a score based on your English language ability. The only way you can achieve 0 is if you fail to turn up or attempt the test.
Making sure you dedicate enough time to your IELTS general preparation and understanding what to expect in each section can help you achieve a higher score. If you don’t get the score you require, it is important to identify your areas of weakness and practice before retaking the test.
Additionally, you could invest in an online tutor to help with this. The British Council provides an excellent online tutoring service to help you get the score you need.
How Is the IELTS Test Scored?
An average is taken from each of the four sections of the test (listening, speaking, reading and writing), then you are provided with your final score. You can see a description of each IELTS band in the table below:
| Band score | Skill level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Expert user | Full operational command of the language. Your use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent and you show complete understanding. |
| 8 | Very good user | You have a fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. You may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. You handle complex detailed argumentation well. |
| 7 | Good user | You have an operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally, you handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning. |
| 6 | Competent user | Generally, you have an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings. You can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. |
| 5 | Modest user | You have a partial command of the language, and cope with overall meaning in most situations, although you are likely to make many mistakes. You should be able to handle basic communication in your own field. |
| 4 | Limited user | Your basic competence is limited to familiar situations. You frequently show problems in understanding and expression. You are not able to use complex language. |
| 3 | Extremely limited user | You convey and understand only general meaning in very familiar situations. There are frequent breakdowns in communication. |
| 2 | Intermittent user | You have great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
| 1 | Non-user | You have no ability to use the language except a few isolated words. |
| 0 | Didn’t attempt the test | You did not answer the questions. |
What Happens Once I’ve Finished the Exam?
Once you’ve finished your test, it gets submitted for marking. If you took IELTS on computer, the results usually take around 3 to 5 days to come back to you. If you took your IELTS test on paper, then it typically takes 13 days to get your results. You can preview your results online once they are ready.
Start Your IELTS Journey Today
To start your journey in Canada, book your IELTS test online today. At the British Council, we have over 80 test locations across Canada, making it easy for you to find one near you.
Book online by clicking here, then select the province you live in to find your nearest test centre. Our simple-to-use booking platform means that you can book your test in just a few simple steps!