IELTS is the world’s proven English language proficiency test. Based on records, over 1.4 million candidates sit for IELTS every year for international education as well for employment. IELTS is recognized by more than 6000 institutions in over 135 countries. IELTS tests are held in over 500 centers with tests up to four times a month. IELTS respects international diversity and in fair to anyone who sits the test, regardless of nationality.

IELTS test takers and the organizations which rely on IELTS test results benefits from IELTS continuing investment in quality assurance, research and development to ensure that the test remains robust and relevant.

International teams of writers contribute to IELTS test materials and invest in on-going research to ensure that IELTS remain fair and unbiased- wherever and whenever the test is taken and that IELTS encourages, reflects and respects international diversity and is fair to anyone who sites the test, regardless of nationality, background, gender or lifestyle. The rigorous processes used to produce the test materials ensure that every version of the test is to a comparable level of difficulty, so that candidates’ results are consistent wherever and when ever they take the test.

The Evolution

In 1980 English Proficiency Test Battery (EPTB) was replaced by ELTS (English Language Testing System). EPTB was mainly used for overseas student recruitment operations since mid 1960s in UK universities and colleges. The new test had an innovative format that reflected changes in language learning and teaching theory and developments in language testing. ELTS influenced much by the growth in ‘communicative’ language learning and ‘English for specific purposes’. Test tasks were based on an analysis of the ways in which language was used in academic contexts and were intended to reflect the use of language in the ‘real world’.

ELTS Test Format

The ELTS test offered a choice of six modules covering five broad areas of study of UK tertiary education and one non-specific area. The areas are:

• Life Sciences
• Social Studies
• Physical Science
• Technology
• Medicine
• General Academic

Non- Academic test also conducted for vocational candidates. Each candidates was required to take three sections in their subject area or module and two common tests in the general section

• Study Skills
• Writing
• General Reading
• General Listening &
• Individual Interview

The ELTS Revision

In 1987 British Council and UCLES EFL (now know as Cambridge ESOL) commissioned Edinburgh University to conduct a validation study. There was consensus to broaden the international participation in the revision project and in response to this the International Development Program of Australia University and Colleges (IDP), now known as IDP Education Australia, jointed British Council and UCLES to form an international partnership, reflected in the new name for the test: The International English Language Testing System. The number of subject-specific modules was reduced from six to three and the Non-Academic test was replaced by the General Module. IELTS (The International English Language Testing System) form became operational in 1989.

Test Format of 1989

IELTS From 1989 IELTS candidates took two non-specialized modules, Listening & Speaking and two specialized modules Reading & Writing. The non-specialized modules tested general English while the specialized modules were intended to test skills in particular areas suited to a candidate’s chosen course of study. Specialized Reading & Writing modules were available in three discipline fields which linked together related fields that had previously been separate modules in the ELTS battery, as shown below:

• Module A – Physical Science & Technology
• Module B – Life & Medical Sciences
• Module C – Business Studies & Social Sciences

1995 Revision of IELTS

In keeping with the commitment of the IELTS partners to respond to developments in applied linguistics measurements theory and teaching practice, further modifications to the test were implemented in April 1995. In addition to a number of modifications to improve security and administration, there were three areas of significant change: 

1. The field-specific Reading and Writing Modules A, B and C were replaced with ONE Academic Reading Module and ONE Academic Writing Module. Details of the research behind this change to the test design can be found

2. General Training Reading and Writing Modules were brought into line with the Academic Reading and Writing Modules in terms of timing allocation, length of written responses and reporting of scores. The difference between the Academic and General Training Modules is in terms of the content, context and purpose for testing rather than the scales of ability.

3. Measures were introduced to gather data on test performance and candidate background so that issues of fairness relating to test use and users could be more effectively monitored. Next Stage of Development A revision for the speaking test was launched in 1998 and the came out in July 2001. New assessment criteria for the writing test were operational from January 2005. A computerized version of IELTS was also introduced in 2005 at certain centers. The following test pattern retains many of the features of the 1980 ELTS including the emphasis on the comprehension of extended text in the receptive papers (Reading & Listening), and the direct testing of performance through a face-to-face Speaking test and the use of the essay and report formats in the Writing test. Now it becomes the most friendly communication proficiency test to cross the boards for job and studies. The twenty years of change changes the face and pace of testing pattern as well boom up the test facing candidates.

Most candidates fear to appear the proficiency test IELTS not only because of their lack of knowledge in that stream but also communication disabilities (it explicitly because of lack of coherent training from basement courses). But their desire to go abroad to get admission in good Universities and attain better career they are forced to sit for the examination. 

IELTS is not a new thing but just the basic communication test. The societies, schools, teachers even training institutes are making them fear, for certain reasons. I swear there is nothing to fear at all. To know exactly about the program we should get proper training from trained trainers. What lacks in our society is not the number of the institutions but skilled and properly trained trainers to train the candidates a systematic approach to IELTS by giving individual attention. Recently, British Council and IDP are conducting Train the Trainer (TTT) program for the enthusiastic faculty to shape their skills as well to give aware about the right way of teaching IELTS. Organizations are using Trained and Certified IELTS Examiners for the same so they deliver the best to the half boiled Trainers to make them complete.