IELTS, Fees and available test dates in 2019IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a standardised test designed to evaluate the language proficiency of candidates who need to live or work in an environment where English is the medium of communication. It is one of the most recognised English language tests. More than two million IELTS tests are taken each year.

The English language skills of a candidate are tested on the parameters of listening, reading, writing and speaking of English.

Academic IELTS vs General Training IELTS

There are two types of training modules in IELTS- Academic Training and General Training.

If you are taking IELTS to study abroad then you will take the Academic Training IELTS 

If you are taking IELTS for other purposes such as working abroad, then you will take the General Training IELTS

Why IELTS is so important?

Taking the IELTS could really open doors for you all over the world!

  • If you are considering an undergraduate or postgraduate degree programme, you should take the Academic IELTS test. The General Training IELTS test is sufficient for programmes which do not award a degree. As a future international student, you will need to demonstrate that you are qualified and can successfully complete a degree programme taught in English. You will therefore need higher  scores to enrol in advanced degree programmes such as Masters or PhDs.
  • It can also help you to live and work around the world.Providing proof of your language proficiency is an important step in obtaining a visa so that you can work abroad. Language skills are key to career success, and are considered a valuable asset in addition to all the other requirements of any job. If you are a work visa applicant, you must achieve either ‘competent’ English or ‘vocational’ English language skills, meaning you will have to be prepared for more than basic conversational English.

Note that More than 9,000 organisations in 140 countries accept IELTS, including government, academic and employment institutions.

Test format

IELTS test in divided into 4 sections which measure listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills. The result is calculated on a 9-band scale and will be valid for a period of two years.

1. Listening section:

The Listening section has to be completed in 30 minutes and contains 4 sections with 40 questions. It includes one-to-one conversation, a speech, monologue and a group discussion. You will have to listen to the audio recording and write your answers in the booklet given.

2. Reading section:  

This section evaluates your reading skill. With an overall of 60 minutes allocated for this section, you need to answer 40 questions. It includes reading for main ideas, skimming, reading for detail, and understanding a logical argument. It is different for both: academic and general training.

3. Writing section:

This section has two task and is different for both, academic and general training test. It has to be completed within 60 minutes. In the Academic test, the first task is to describe a chart or diagram given and the second task to write an essay in response to a problem or argument. In General Training test, you will be asked to write a letter to the situation given and to write an essay in a personalised manner.

4. Speaking section:

This section is a one to one interaction with the examiner for 11-14 minutes to test your spoken English skills. Initially, s/he will ask general questions about yourself. In the second section, you will be asked to speak on a topic for 2-3 minutes. After this, the examination will have a casual discussion related to the topic you speak before.

Three sections (Listening, Reading and Writing) are done in one day, while Speaking can be done on the same day or within 7 days before or after a test.

Scoring in IELTS

The scoring pattern of IELTS is based on a combination of all the four skills.
An individual band score for each section is measured on a band of 0–9.

The mark known as score represents how well-conversed you are in the English language. Such as in pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, understanding of the general and specific ideas, quality and quantity of content and so forth. From 0 being the lowest to 9 being the highest, as detailed below. Scores are stated as whole or half bands.

9: Expert user
8: very good user
7: Good user
6: Competent user
5: Modest user
4: Limited user
3: Extremely limited user
2: Intermittent user
1: Non-user
0: Did not attempt the test

The scores are released online 13 days after you have appeared for your test. All you need to do is sign in with your IELTS account on the results website.

Preparation

You could study alone though it is highly recommended to enroll in a preparation course. For one, you get to understand your actual level of communication by interacting amongst other candidates in addition to having formal feedback from your trainers. And two you will be supported along your IELTS preparation journey.

Registration and test fees

Once you’ve prepared as much as you can and feel confident you can take the test.Use the Online Registration system System to book your place on the test.

The British Council is highly known and trusted for conducting this test.

The IELTS test fee is GBP 170 payable in local currency as per British Council’s Monthly Book Keeping Rate (BKR).

Test dates and locations in Kigali

British council currently run one or two IELTS tests per month in Kigali.

Places are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so they strongly recommend that you register online as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. You will receive a confirmation letter, confirming the venue for your test and the timetable.

The speaking test is conducted one or two days prior to the written test. The exact information will be confirmed in the timetable you receive by post approximately two weeks before the test.

Please note registration deadlines are subject to availability. Once all the test places have been assigned and the session is full, the test will no longer appear on their online registration system.

Where to take IELTS?

The IELTS test takes place at The British Council Rwanda office,Kigali,Kacyiru,KG5 Ave, 82 Gasabo District, Sector Kacyiru, House no.129.

You may also like: Everything you need to know about the University of manchester scholarships for Rwandans 

Available test dates and Registration deadline in 2019


Test Date Module Registration Deadline Register
19/01/2019
IELTS Academic
31/12/2018
19/01/2019
IELTS General Training
31/12/2018
09/02/2019
IELTS Academic
21/01/2019
09/02/2019
IELTS General Training
21/01/2019
23/02/2019
IELTS Academic
04/02/2019
14/03/2019
IELTS Academic
03/03/2019
23/03/2019
IELTS Academic
04/03/2019
23/03/2019
IELTS General Training
04/03/2019
06/04/2019
IELTS Academic
25/03/2019
06/04/2019
IELTS General Training
25/03/2019
27/04/2019
IELTS Academic
16/04/2019
27/04/2019
IELTS General Training
16/04/2019
11/05/2019
IELTS Academic
29/04/2019
11/05/2019
IELTS General Training
29/04/2019
23/05/2019
IELTS Academic
12/05/2019
23/05/2019
IELTS General Training
12/05/2019
01/06/2019
IELTS Academic
19/05/2019
01/06/2019
IELTS General Training
19/05/2019
22/06/2019
IELTS Academic
11/06/2019
06/07/2019
IELTS Academic
24/06/2019
06/07/2019
IELTS General Training
24/06/2019
20/07/2019
IELTS Academic
08/07/2019
01/08/2019
IELTS Academic
21/07/2019
01/08/2019
IELTS General Training
21/07/2019
17/08/2019
IELTS Academic
05/08/2019
17/08/2019
IELTS General Training
05/08/2019
07/09/2019
IELTS Academic
25/08/2019
07/09/2019
IELTS General Training
25/08/2019
28/09/2019
IELTS Academic
16/09/2019
28/09/2019
IELTS General Training
16/09/2019
12/10/2019
IELTS Academic
30/09/2019
12/10/2019
IELTS General Training
30/09/2019
26/10/2019
IELTS Academic
14/10/2019
26/10/2019
IELTS General Training
14/10/2019
07/11/2019
IELTS Academic
27/10/2019
07/11/2019
IELTS General Training
27/10/2019
23/11/2019
IELTS Academic
11/11/2019
23/11/2019
IELTS General Training
11/11/2019
07/12/2019
IELTS Academic
24/11/2019
07/12/2019
IELTS General Training
24/11/2019
14/12/2019
IELTS Academic
02/12/2019
14/12/2019
IELTS General Training
02/12/2019

 

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