WHAT IS AN IELTS TEST?

• IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication.
• IELTS conforms to the highest international standards of language assessment. It covers the four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking.
• IELTS encourages, reflects and tests English as it is used in work, study and life. This real life authenticity gives you a personal and valid indicator of just how good you are!
• IELTS is jointly owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL).
• For more information, please visit www.takeielts.org

What are the TYPES OF IELTS?

IELTS is available in two formats - Academic and General Training.

You should choose Academic test if you are planning to study in English at an undergraduate or postgraduate level.

General Training is suitable for candidates who are going to English speaking countries to undertake work experience or training programmes not at degree level, or for immigration purposes to Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The General Training module is not offered at all test administrations.

WHO ACCEPTS IELTS?

Over 6000 organisations and more than 1.5 million test takers around the world trust and recognise IELTS as a secure, valid and reliable indicator of true-to-life ability to communicate in English for education, immigration and professional accreditation. IELTS examination services are provided through more than 800 test centres and locations in over 130 countries.

IELTS is accepted worldwide. List of organisations: www.takeielts.org

WHAT PARTS IS IELTS COMPOSED OF?

IELTS is composed of four modules (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) and is available in two versions: Academic and General Training. The choice of the test version depends on the requirements of a given institution.

Copyright: British Council

WHEN AND WHERE CAN I SIT THE IELTS TEST?

KAUNAS

Test dates Registration deadline Module available Comments
1 December 2012 25 October 2012 Academic and General Training Speaking window 30 Nov-1 Dec

KLAIPEDA

Test dates Registration deadline Module available Comments
9 June 2012 2 May 2012 Academic and General Training

Speaking window 7-8 Jun

Late entries availbale, please register online

17 November 2012 10 October 2012 Academic and General Training Speaking window 15-16 Nov

VILNIUS

Test dates Registration deadline Module available Comments
14 June 2012 7 May 2012 Academic only Speaking window 11-13 Jun
12 July 2012 4 June 2012 Academic and General Training Speaking window 10-12 Jul
9 August 2012 2 July 2012 Academic only Speaking window 7-9 Aug
22 September 2012 15 August 2012 Academic and General Training Speaking window 20-22 Sep
11 October 2012 3 September 2012 Academic only
8 November 2012 1 October 2012 Academic and General Training
6 December 2012 29 October 2012 Academic only

You can repeat the test whenever you wish. If you have taken the IELTS test before, it is not necessary to include this information on your application form. However, if you prefer your previous test details to appear on your TRF, you should put this information on the application form.

Please note that IELTS scores are not substantially improved merely by taking the test on multiple occasions. It is necessary to engage in further study of a serious nature in order to significantly improve a test score.

What is the IELTS fee?

580 Lt (must be paid in Litas only)

HOW TO REGISTER FOR IELTS?

For information on how to register for IELTS please read all the details on this page.

WHAT ARRANGEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CANDIDATES?

We make every effort to cater for the special needs of disabled candidates. It is our aim for all candidates to be assessed fairly and objectively. If you have a special need, please talk to (+370 5 2100 233) or e-mail us when registering. We may need three months to organise arrangements.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR IELTS?

After you register for IELTS you will be able to benefit from 30 hours of free Road to IELTS preparation materials!

Get some free samples at www.takeielts.org

Visit the British Council Learn English portal to try out IELTS mock papers and to brush up your speaking skills for IELTS interview.

You can purchase the following handbooks with CD's at the British Council:

IELTS Specimen Materials

How To Prepare For IELTS

The cost is 60 Lt per pack and should be paid to the British Council's bank account.

You can also purchase IELTS preparation materials at the following bookshops in Vilnius:

'Akademine Knyga', Universiteto St 4, LT-01122. Telephone +37052661680; or
'Rotas', Pylimo St. 42, LT-01136; Telephone +37052124760

If you want to attend IELTS preparation courses, you can choose from the list of the Language schools.

How does IELTS score relate to the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)?

The chart below illustrates how the IELTS band scores map onto the CEFR levels. The mapping is based upon the growing body of research, combined with long established experience of test use within education and society, as well as feedback from a range of test stakeholders regarding the uses of test results for particular purposes.

Work continues to refine our understanding of the relationship between IELTS and the CEFR levels. Please note that the band scores referred to are the overall band scores and not the individual module score.

WHEN AND HOW WILL I RECEIVE MY RESULTS?

Your results will be released on the 13th calendar day after the test day. We will send you your Test Report Form (TRF) by registered post and further Test Report Forms to the institutions of your choice.

Please note that you can check your results on line on the 13th calendar day after the test day. To view the results you will need your candidate number, ID number and your date of birth. This information will be printed on your desk label. Please do not forget to take the desk label before you leave the test venue.

You can check your results here

We cannot give results over the telephone or by e-mail.

We will send up to 5 Test Report Forms to institutions free of charge provided that you indicate the contact details of receiving institutions on your application form before or on the test date. If you want to send your TRF to institutions after the test date, we will ask you to pay 20 Lt per one TRF.

If you are unhappy with your results you may submit an Enquiry on Results. This must be done within six weeks of the test date. You can choose which tests will be re-marked. The fee for this service is 60GBP (paid in Litas only) which will be refunded should the score on any test is increased. An Enquiry on Results can take eight weeks to complete. For more information please contact our Examinations Services by email or telephone +370 5 2100 233

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS OF THE TEST DATE TRANSFER AND REFUNDS?

To cancel your exam you need to fill in the Transfer/Refund Form.

If you cancel your exam more than 5 weeks before the test, you will be refunded 490 Litas.

If you cancel or transfer your exam within the five-week period of the test date you will receive no refund.

To transfer the date of the exam you need to fill in the Transfer/Refund Form. Please, note that you will be able to transfer only once.

If your application for transfer is approved, you will have to pay additional 90 Litas administrative fee.

If you are absent on the day of the exam without prior notice you will get no refund.

If you provide the original of a medical certificate proving that your absence has been affected by serious illness or other serious cause within 5 working days of the exam you will be refunded 490 Litas of the exam fee.

WHEN AND WHERE DOES THE TEST TAKE PLACE?

You will receive information about the test date, time and venue by e-mail approximately seven days before the test date.

The written parts of the IELTS test start at 9:00 a.m and last for about 3 hours (without a break).

The speaking module may be organised during a period of seven days before or after the written test.

WHAT DOES THE IELTS BAND SCALE LOOK LIKE?

The IELTS Test Report form includes a candidate’s score, on a Band Scale from 1 to 9 for each module of the test as well as an overall Band Score on a scale from 1 to 9. Each Band corresponds to a descriptive statement giving a summary of English competence. The nine bands and their descriptive statements are:

9 -  Expert User

Has a fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.

8 -  Very Good User

Has a fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.

7 - Good User

Has an operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.

6 - Competent User

Has a generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

5 - Modest User

Has a partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.

4 - Limited User

Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has a frequent problem in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.

3 - Extremely Limited User

Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

2 - Intermittent User

No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.

1 - Non User

Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

How to make a suggestion or lodge a complaint?

Our aim is to continuously improve our services to our customers. If you have any suggestions or comments that may help us in this process please contact us.

Any comments you may have concerning the conduct of the examination should be directed to the Supervisor immediately after the examination. In the case of the Listening test all comments should be reported at the beginning of the test, after hearing the introductory recording.

Can i take ielts in Belarus?

Please note that we are holding IELTS exams in Minsk also. The IELTS fee is 128 GBP. Both IELTS modules — Academic and General Training — are available every test.

Please register at:
Private educational institution Study Centre International House
Working hours 12 pm to 7.30 pm Monday to Friday

Masherov Avenue 10-311
220005 Minsk
Belarus
Telephone: +375 17 284 4130
Website: www.ih.by

You can also register online: https://ielts.britishcouncil.org/CountryExamSearch.aspx?countryid=127

IELTS dates in Minsk are as follows:

Test dates Registration deadline Module available
26 May 2012 20 April 2012 Academic and General training
30 June 2012 25 May 2012 Academic and General training
22 September 2012 17 August 2012 Academic and General training
24 November 2012 19 October 2012 Academic and General training

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT IELTS TEST?

For more information about the test please visit www.takeielts.org

Also, feel free to contact us anytime during our working hours if you have not found the answer to your question.

HOW CAN I CONTACT BRITISH COUNCIL EXAMINATIONS SERVICES?

For our contact details please see this page.

DISCLAIMER

The British Council and the Examining Board take all reasonable steps to provide continuity of service. We feel sure you will understand, however, that we cannot be held responsible for any interruptions caused by circumstances beyond our control. If examinations or their results are disrupted, cancelled or delayed, every effort will be made to resume normal service as soon as possible. The British Council's liability will be limited to the refund of the registration fee or re-testing at a later date.