If you want to start your trip to Canada in the near future, you will probably have to demonstrate your English skills and one of the possibilities is through IELTS. IELTS Score required for Canada PR Visa through Express entry program is 6 per band. The International English Language Testing System is one of the accepted proficiency exams for study and immigration purposes in Canada, as well as being one of the most popular in the world as nearly 2 million people take the IELTS each year.
More than nine thousand organizations around the world from among 140 countries accept IELTS, including government institutions, academics, authorities, as well as employers.
In addition, it is the only English language exam accepted in immigration processes by all countries that require one. One of the main characteristics of the IELTS is that it offers the possibility of taking the test with face-to-face evaluators. This means that the part of the conversation is individual and you will be able to speak directly with a person, who will evaluate your communication skills in English.
IELTS: Types of Tests
When you start researching this test, it is very important that you pay special attention to the models offered and their purposes within Canadian programs.
The exam is available in two different versions: Academic and General Training; both analyze the following competencies: Listening (oral comprehension), Reading (interpretation of texts), Writing (writing), and Speaking (conversation). The IELTS Academic is aimed at people who want to start a higher course in Canada. That is, in many educational institutions you will need to take the English test verifying your ability in the language in order to enroll.
The minimum grades required to vary according to the program and university you choose, so read carefully the requirements of each one. If you have any questions, we recommend you contact one of the consultants
The IELTS Academic tends to address more specific topics, with vocabulary that can be considered a bit more challenging.
The General Training is used for migration processes, such as Express Entry in Canada. In this test, you will find broader terms, that is, terms of general understanding.
Regardless of which version you choose according to your objectives in the country, the Listening test (oral comprehension) and the Speaking test (conversation) will be the same. While the Reading and Writing modalities will be different according to the chosen test version (Academic or General Training).
IELTS: Where to take the tests and costs?
With over 1,200 locations in 140 countries, it is not very difficult to find a test location that is close to you. To find the one closest to you, you must enter its website in the ‘Find a Location’ section and choose the type of test you want to perform.
Tests are typically conducted one to three times a month in most cities, although this is not always possible.
IELTS: Structure of the Test
IELTS is a test that will analyze your communication skills in professional and academic life situations. Below you will find each module and its characteristics: Listening (oral interpretation): 30 minutes + 10 minutes to transfer the answers (without using headphones);
Writing: 60 minutes;
Speaking: 11-14 minutes
Written stage: it involves Listening, Writing and Reading skills, it is usually conducted on the official date, chosen by you, with a duration of 3 hours to 3 and a half hours; it is necessary to arrive at least 40 minutes in advance. At this stage, you will take the test together with the other candidates.
Oral stage: this is the time when you will have the interview personally and individually with an evaluator. With a duration of 15 to 20 minutes, it is programmed directly by the British Council. The dates can vary between a week before and a week after the official date, although they are normally scheduled from 1 to 2 days before. It is important that you consider that the interview may fall on business days, during office hours, and in a different direction than where you took the written test.
If you need to travel to another city to take the exam, the oral interview can be scheduled for the same day as the written test or for the days as close as possible (generally 1 to 2 days before).
IELTS: The Day of the Exam
On the day of the test, bring the same original document that you used in the registration and materials such as pencils, erasers and pencil sharpeners. You can also carry a bottle of water, as long as it is transparent and without a label. No other items will be allowed inside the test room.
There is no need to bring the printed proof of your registration. Anyway, all the details about what to bring on the day of your test will be sent by email with your confirmation letter. If you carry a handbag or backpack, the organizers will put at your disposal a place to store your belongings. No personal item, such as a cell phone or wallet, can be with you during the test.
In addition, on the day of the test, biometric data (such as finger scan) and photos of all the candidates are collected. Biometric data will be requested each time the candidate is absent and returns to the test room.
Academic Reading:
Academic Reading texts are taken from books, magazines, and newspapers. In this stage you will be able to answer multiple-choice questions, questions that involve identifying exact information within the text, and analyzing different points of view.
In addition, you will have to complement phrases, author statements, short answer questions, among others.
General Training Reading:
In this stage you will find multiple-choice questions, you will have to identify the information requested, assess the author’s point of view/opinions, resources used within a scenario, sentences to complete, short answer questions, among others.
Academic Writing:
The writing test in Academic Writing consists of two tasks, in which you will have to write a text of 150 to 250 words.
In Task 1, participants are asked to describe what they see within visual aids (graphs, charts, etc.). You will have around 20 minutes to complete this step.
In Task 2, participants will have to defend a point of view or argument. In this step, you will have about 40 minutes to finish.
General Training Writing:
The writing test in the general training course (or General Training) consists of two tasks and you will have to write a text of 150 to 250 words.
In Task 1, the candidates will be presented to a situation and must write a letter asking for more information or explaining the fact.
In Task 2, participants must write a text with their point of view or argument for a certain problem.
Speaking
The speech test is fully interactive. Here, you will speak face to face with an examiner.
In the first part of the oral interview, you will be asked to answer some questions about your life. They can be, for example, about your house, family, work, studies, personal interests, etc. This part will last from 4 to 5 minutes.
In the second part, you will have to talk about a specific topic. The examiner will give you a card with the chosen topic.
You will have one minute to prepare and up to two minutes to speak. The evaluator will also ask one or two questions on this topic.
To improve your IELTS score and to increase your Canada PR chances than contact AP Immigration.