IELTS: Does It Still Have Value?

The IELTS (Overseas English Language Testing Service) Examination has been recognized as the single most difficult obstacle to overcome by international students seeking admission to postsecondary institutions in the United Kingdom and Australia for more than a decade. Throughout that time, IELTS Training Course in Dubai numerical ratings that represent candidates' aptitude in the areas of Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, have continually increased, making the exam even more difficult - and frightening - for many students.

In recent years, students who live in places where they may meet face-to-face with recruiters and agents for the institutions to which they want admission have learned that some of those universities are ready to accept kids with band scores that aren't as high as the publicized ones. In most circumstances, students agree that if their IELTS band score is not high enough, they will enroll in specific English-language training sessions, either during the summer before beginning formal studies or, in some cases, after they have already begun.

The offer reflects more than just the universities' desire to accept overseas students in exchange for the substantial tuition revenue they bring in. A strong case can be made that a student studying abroad in an all-English setting is more likely to improve his or her English skills faster. Furthermore, children may receive teaching that is much more properly geared to the exact language talents they will require to succeed in school.

The IELTS band score, however, is a good measure of an applicant's readiness to study abroad. The IELTS exam is well-known for being challenging, but it is also a reasonable, if not always fair, measure of skills. Some students with strong English skills will not receive scores that accurately reflect their abilities unless they have also taken an IELTS Exam Preparation course.

The Listening Task evaluates pupils' unique listening talents that they will need when studying abroad. The Reading Task, with its stringent time limit, is a useful indicator of whether a student is prepared for the extensive reading that will be necessary in a master's or PhD programme. (Even native speakers are frequently given more reading assignments than they can handle.)

The Writing Task's two components correlate to the types of writing students will experience in academic settings. Any student who learns how to write a Writing Task 1 report and a Writing Task 2 essay will be well prepared for their academic writing careers.

Students who learn to write "the IELTS way" will likely discover that the forms and styles they learn will benefit them not only in their academic careers, but also in their personal lives. The Speaking Task, like the one that evaluates self-expression in English, models how international students would be expected to use spoken English in their selected country of study.

If you live in an area where you may meet with representatives and agents from the universities to which you wish to apply, see if there are any real alternatives to getting the publicized band results before enrolling. Demonstrating that you have the genuine English language skills you'll need to succeed before you begin studying abroad, on the other hand, is a lot better guarantee that you'll be able to compete with your classmates.

Is the IELTS test still useful?

The most straightforward response is 'Yes.' Obtaining the required band score is your greatest indication that one of the most difficult aspects of studying abroad will not be a deterrent to your success.

Hugh Nelson has over 10 years of expertise in the field of education and is an e-learning expert. He now lives in Dubai and works as a director of nlptech, an educational website that helps students prepare for and apply for post-graduate degrees in other countries.