The IELTS exam is designed to be fair and accessible to people of all nationalities and linguistic backgrounds. The IELTS exam covers all four language skills; Listening, Writing, Reading, and Speaking.It also examines knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.

The reading component consists of 40 questions. A variety of question types is used in order to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument, recognising writers’ opinions, attitudes and purpose.

You will listen to four recorded texts, monologues and conversations by a range of native speakers, and write your answers to a series of questions.

The Speaking component assesses students’ use of spoken English, and takes between 11 and 14 minutes to complete. As the speaking component is delivered in such a way that it does not allow candidates to rehearse set responses beforehand, you will have time in class at SEDA to improve your fluency and ability to respond to a range of topics.

The Writing component of the IELTS exam includes two tasks which are based on topics of general interest.