Intensive IELTS Exam Preparation

What is IELTS?

IELTS – International English Language Testing System - is an internationally recognised qualification which proves your level of English wherever you go. Over 6,000 institutions worldwide accept IELTS including schools, universities and employers. It can help you to gain entrance to university, improve your job prospects and measure your progress in English.

General information about IELTS

  • There are two versions of IELTS – Academic and General Training. Bell students take the Academic version
  • The exam comprises four modules: listening (30 minutes), reading (60 minutes), writing (60 minutes) and speaking (11–14 minutes). The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes
  • The listening, reading and writing modules are taken in one sitting. The speaking module may be taken in the period of seven days before or after the other modules, at the discretion of the test centre
  • There is no pass or fail. IELTS employs a 9 band scoring system which includes half band scores. You receive a band score for each module and an overall band as your final grade, which is the average of your four individual module scores. For example, you may be awarded 6.5 for listening, 6.5 for reading, 5.0 for writing and 7.0 for speaking, with an overall band score of 6.5.
  • The Test Report Form will be sent to you in the post 13 days after your test. The report includes security features and is authenticated by a centre stamp
  • Your IELTS qualification is valid for 2 years
  • Most exam centres offer four exams a month. There are up to 48 IELTS test dates available each year.
IELTS Band Scores
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 test

IELTS Exam structure

30 minsClick to expandListening module

Exam structure: This comprises four sections, each section requiring you to answer ten questions.

  • Sections one and two of the exam deal with situations within a social context
  • Sections three and four deal with educational and training situations. You will hear both conversations and monologues during the exam e.g. a conversation about travel arrangements, a monologue on an academic subject.

Marking: Each question is worth one mark and there are a total of 40 questions.

60 minsClick to expand Academic reading module

Exam structure: This comprises three reading sections with a total of 40 related questions.

  • A variety of questions are asked from multiple choice to sentence completion and short-answer questions. All topics are of general interest and the reading passages are taken from a variety of sources e.g. books, magazines and newspapers.

Marking: Each question is worth one mark and there are a total of 40 questions.

60 minsClick to expandAcademic writing module

Exam structure: This comprises two writing sections. Both must be completed.

  • Section one involves describing some visual information from a graph, table, chart or diagram using your own words. You will need to write 150 words in 20 minutes
  • Section two will present you with a point of view or an argument. Write 250 words about this in 40 minutes.

Marking: Both sections are assessed separately. Section two will hold more weight. Your response to the task, vocabulary, grammar, cohesion and coherence will all be taken into account.

11-14 minsClick to expandSpeaking module

Exam structure: A face-to-face interview comprising three sections, each with different tasks.

  • Section one (4-5 mins); you will be asked general questions on familiar topics such as family, friends and work
  • Section two (3-4 mins); you will have one minute to prepare and make notes for a two minute talk about a particular topic. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic
  • Section three (4-5 mins); discussion related to topics in section two.

Marking: You’ll be marked on fluency, coherency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation, among other criteria. See the IELTS band structure.



More information

Click here to calculate course fees
Click here to book this course
Ask us a question

Facebook
competition

Enter your top tip for IELTS success for a chance to feature on our website!

Enter here

Facebook
competition

Have you got a top tip for preparing for an IELTS exam? It might be:

• your favourite language activity
• a study tip
• exam advice.

Over the next month, we’ll be selecting the ‘Best top tips for IELTS success’ every week from posted entries on our Facebook page to feature on the Bell IELTS webpages.

Enter here

IELTS sample timetable

IELTS timetable

See how your week will be structured on our IELTS course with the interactive sample timetable.

Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9.30 – 11.00

Class discussion on variety of topics to improve communicative skills

Focus on building vocabulary

Timed reading and exam practice

Listening techniques and exam practice

Understanding texts and practicing pronunciation

Internet research and tutorials in learning centre

Use research to describe a cultural object through written activities and presentations

Exam practice

Reading techniques: Difficult words

Timed reading and exam practice

Analysis of text

Full speaking test
11.00-11.30 BREAK – Optional guided study in the learning centre
11.15 – 13.00

Writing techniques

Timed writing exercise

Learn and use descriptive language

Exam practice

Grammar focus

Listening techniques and exam practice

Vocabulary and grammar review
13.00-14.00 LUNCH BREAK – Optional guided study in the learning centre
14.00 – 15.30

Grammar focus

Writing focus: Paragraphing

Vocabulary focus: Phrasal verbs

Speaking focus: Linking ideas

Excursion
15.30 – 16.30

Optional 1 to 1 classes

Optional guided study in the learning centre

Optional 1 to 1 classes

Optional guided study in the learning centre

Afternoon lecture

Optional 1 to 1 classes

Optional guided study in the learning centre
16.30 – 17.45

Optional guided study in the learning centre
Homework

Vocabulary exercises

Grammar practice

Writing

Reading

Writing
Close
Head
Copy

IELTS top tips

IELTS Top Tips

Bell teachers and students share their IELTS top tips and study techniques.

Meet our IELTS students

Mazin

Mazin talks about his Bell experience on the IELTS Exam Preparation course.