Do you need to take the IELTS? Is it a good idea to take the test? Find out below!
Hundreds of universities worldwide accept the IELTS as proof of English level. That is because the test is designed to check whether a student has the level of English required for them to be able to follow a university course: understand lectures, read books, do research, type up essays, etc. In the UK, this is a requirement for most international students, since it is necessary for the student visa to be emitted.
Each university and/or university course will have a minimum requirement for the IELTS score. That’s because some courses are more demanding in terms of language. For example, a maths course may require an IELTS band 6, while a journalism course, that involves a lot of speaking and writing in English, may require an IELTS band 7. It is important to check the minimum IELTS score for the courses you are applying.
The IELTS is also a good indicator of your English level, from intermediate to proficient user. However, the IELTS is only valid for 2 years. If you are looking for a level indicator that does not expire, other Cambridge exams might be more relevant to you. For example, the FCE, CAE, etc. Follow the link below to get more information about them:
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/
There are also other exams worldwide that may work better for you, like the TOEFL and the PTE. If you are applying for a student visa, university course, research position, job, etc, check which exams are accepted by the institution as this may vary. Different tests are not necessarily easier or more difficult, but some people prefer certain test formats. Check your options and then choose the test that is best for you.
If you are taking the IELTS, what will you be using it for? Let us know in the comments.
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