When it comes to English language IELTS Pakistan certifications, IELTS is one of the most popular. But what makes it so special? How is the exam structured? And how do you understand the results?

What is the IELTS exam?
The IELTS exam is a test, recognized in a good part of the world, studied on and for those people who want to move abroad for study or work reasons.The British Council , one of the two managers of the exam, calls it "the world's most popular English test for higher education and global migration".It is not just a test that allows you to score a person's language skills, but it allows you to pave the way towards new study or work paths in other countries. In fact, the states in which it is officially recognized are: the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and South Africa.

What are the two types of IELTS exams?
The IELTS exam itself has two versions, at the discretion of the examiner, which must be chosen at the time of enrollment.

These two versions are the Academic or the General Training . Let's see them in detail.

ACADEMIC
It can be deduced from the name, this version has an academic character. It is therefore recommended for those who take the IELTS exam keeping in mind the goal of going to study, enrolling or attending an academic course or a master's in an English-speaking country.Consequently, the written tests will be more elaborate and demanding; an academic English will be asked, precisely, in order to be able to demonstrate the level of a university approach.

GENERAL TRAINING
On the other hand, this other version is more suitable for those aiming at immigration , for work or study purposes (but not university!) In English-speaking countries. The countries on which this version focuses most are Australia, Canada and New Zealand.The difficulty of the tests is almost the same, but it focuses on elements of culture and adaptability of the individual in a new environment.

What are the tests of the IELTS exam?
Like any self-respecting language exam,OET Pakistan IELTS also has 4 tests, each for one of the four skills that make up the linguistic ability. The total duration of the exam is approximately 3 hours (2 hours and 45 minutes to be precise). But let's see the evidence one by one.

LISTENING
It lasts 40 minutes in total.

Of these, 30 minutes are dedicated to actual listening, during which you will listen once to an audio comprising four dialogues in ascending order of difficulty, on topics ranging from common themes to specific situations.

The last 10 minutes are dedicated to rereading, transcribing and correcting the answers.

WRITING
It lasts an hour in total.

Two written papers of different length are required (normally one of 250 words and the other of 350). The subject matter of the writings varies according to the version of the exam.

The General Training version will be asked for political, cultural and social themes and interpretations and analysis of data and graphic schemes.

The Academic version will instead be asked for an argumentative text and a letter, formal or informal, with which you will have to demonstrate that you are able to present opinions, theses and arguments in a language appropriate to the academic one.

READING
It lasts an hour in total.

Like any reading test, you are asked to read one or several texts and answer questions, write summaries or fill in empty spaces in sentences or diagrams. Also in this case two versions are given based on the choice of the exam.

General Training candidates will have to deal with advertising texts, commercial activities or articles. You will be asked to complete incomplete sentences or decide the veracity of statements in classic true / false questions.

The reading of the candidates of the Academic version is almost a second writing . In fact, it is required to "read" and interpret a scheme and to treat a specific issue such as a sociological, environmental or scientific topic in the form of an argumentative text.

SPEAKING
This test takes about 15 minutes.

You are asked to answer the examiner's questions, as well as demonstrating conversation and analytical skills. This part of the exam is conducted in a locked room, between candidate and examiner only.You are assessed on pronunciation, vocabulary, clarity, speech speed and confidence, as well as the concrete ability to communicate.Part of the exam consists in the evaluation of analytical skills: the examiner gives the candidate a couple of minutes to analyze a situation or a proposed topic, and then listen to the candidate A1 exam speak "freewheeling" for another couple of minutes, exposing their opinions, the pros and cons and the various theses.