Choosing the Right IELTS Test Date: Key Considerations
If you are an international student and English is not your native language, you will likely have to prove to the university or B-school to which you are applying that you have mastered the English language. This is typically done by taking a standardized English language test and submitting the score to the institution(s) you have chosen for your studies. The IELTS test is among the most commonly accepted standardized tests.
Before applying to an MBA or Master’s program, check with the universities and B-schools on your short list and ask the following questions:
- Do I need to prove English language proficiency for the program I am considering?
- Which standardized tests are accepted as proof of my English skills?
- What is the minimum IELTS test score required for acceptance into a Master’s or MBA program?
With those answers, you should be able to determine the timing of your next steps to prepare for and take the test. Considering that you will need to book a date (and testing location if opting for the in-person test) in advance, that you will need time to study and prepare for the test, and that it takes some time for test scores to be finalized, you must allow extra room in your admissions process planning.
Do I Need to Take the IELTS Test?
As mentioned above, if you are an international student and English is not your native language, it is highly likely that you will need to take a standardized English language proficiency test as part of your admissions process. However, schools usually provide an exception to this general rule. If your undergraduate studies were conducted in all or mostly English, this may be enough to show the admissions office that you are able to thrive in an all-English learning environment, and the standardized test requirement may be waived.
In some cases, the exceptions to this requirement are vague or subjective. Some MBA programs may state that a minimum score of TOEFL or IELTS is accepted, but that they also accept other proof of English language proficiency. If the information provided is unclear, you need to check directly with the university or B-school programs you are considering to find out.
Another factor to consider is time. If you do not think you have enough time to contact the school and await an answer, you may want to go ahead and book an IELTS test date and location in advance to be on the safe side.
Understanding the IELTS Test: Format & Exam Structure
The IELTS tests your English language proficiency in four areas: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The total test time is just under three hours, so plan enough time on the scheduled day to complete the test. The four areas you will need to study in order to score well are as follows:
- Listening: In this 30-minute section, you will listen to four brief recordings and then answer a series of questions about the content of the recordings.
- Reading: This 60-minute section asks you to read three longer texts and then answer 40 questions about the content of the passages.
- Writing: Your English comprehension and writing skills will be tested in this 60-minute section in which you will be required to write one or more short passages as well as a short formal essay.
- Speaking: In this short (11-14 minutes) section, your speaking and conversational skills will be tested, including a two-minute speech on a particular topic and then verbal answers to a series of questions about that topic.
Preparing for the IELTS Test
So, how to do IELTS preparation effectively? There are many online resources to help in your IELTS test preparation, including sample questions and practice materials found on the test provider’s own website. In addition, there are a number of online materials and paid personal tutoring options available.
The length of time you will need to prepare for the test will vary according to your own personal skill level. You may need less than a month just as a refresher in some areas, or you may need several months of intense study and practice to get ready.
Common Mistakes When Taking the IELTS Test
When sitting the IELTS exam, test takers can fall into several traps and make mistakes that could otherwise be avoided with enough preparation. In the writing section, sentences that are too long and complicated actually make your thought process difficult to follow and make you more prone to mistakes, according to British Council. Overstuffing the text with idioms (especially if incorrect) is also unnecessary.
Incorrect usage of mixed conditionals is another common mistake as some non-native English speakers can find them confusing.
Finally, remember that one of the most common mistakes in any exam, not just IELTS, is losing focus. Make sure you get enough sleep the night before and feel relaxed on the day of the exam to be able to concentrate and give it your best.
How to Register for the IELTS Exam & Choose the Right Test Date
IELTS tests used to be administered at official testing locations only, so test takers had to travel to one of those to sit the exam. Even with more than 1,600 testing sites in 140 countries around the world, the launch of IELTS Online in 2022 was an important addition to the test options, allowing people to do the exam remotely. Tests are administered year-round, so you likely will not have to wait an entire season before taking your test.
When you know you want to book a test, visit the IELTS website to available dates and/or find testing locations near you. Some areas will have availability within a week or two. Others book up quickly, so you may need to register in advance.
As with all parts of the Master’s and MBA admissions process, planning is key. Do not wait until the last minute to book your test. Allow plenty of time for IELTS test preparation, and also allow for any unforeseen circumstances that will delay your testing, like an illness or other unexpected emergency.
IELTS Test Scores
The IELTS test is scored by taking an average of each of the four test sections and then rounding that number. The result is a series of “bands” in which you can score, the lowest being Band 1 (non-user) and the highest being Band 9 (expert user). The final score you receive will range from 1 to 9.
Your IELTS examination score will be available in approximately 1-2 days for the computer-based test taken in person, 13 days for the paper-based test, and 6-8 days for the online test taken remotely. You can pick it up in person or access the score online, depending on the testing option you have chosen.
If you take the test on paper, you can also choose up to five universities or B-schools where you want your scores sent directly. Additional locations can be added at the same time or later for a small fee. Schools will be mailed your score at the same time as you are, but allow for an additional day or two from when you receive yours in order for a school to receive and process it. If you take the IELTS exam on a computer or online, you will be able to print or email your results as many times as needed and send them directly to organizations.
In nearly every case, organizations adhere to the recommendation that IELTS scores are valid for two years.
Minimum IELTS Test Score
The minimum IELTS test score accepted by any university or B-school – or even an individual program – varies, but in general, a score of 7 or higher on the IELTS is a good goal. You can often find a program’s minimum score on its website, such as EADA Business School (Spain), which lists a score 7 on the IELTS as a minimum for its International MBA program.
Pay attention to any other IELTS test score stipulations. Not only can the requirements of one program differ from another program at the same school, but there may also be other details you need to consider. For example, Loughborough University: School of Business and Economics’s (UK) postgraduate admissions departments require a minimum IELTS test score of only 6.5, but you cannot score lower than a 6 in any one of the four IELTS test sections.
Tips from High-Scoring IELTS Test Takers
Preparing for the IELTS exam ahead of time is among the top pieces of advice suggested by most test takers. “Good preparation is [your] foundation that you will be confident that day. You have to prepare for [the exam] before the day and then on the day, you have to be very relaxed,” advises Rong Ni from China.
Another test taker, Jimmy Leung from China, highlights the importance of using good practice materials: “I practiced my IELTS by doing mock tests and practice tests with a timed condition, doing listening, writing, and reading all together and doing the spoken part with my friends separately.”
Consuming information in English also helps familiarize you with the language. “They should try to absorb the English language from different forms of media like the radio or from TV and news channels,” according to Mohamed Al-Hilali from Egypt.
When it comes to the speaking section, avoid learning specific answers by heart, says Truong Bui Vinh from Vietnam. “They should actually practice speaking naturally, not try to memorize any speeches. Scripted speeches are very easy to identify and they would easily bring your score down.”
Retaking the IELTS Test
If you feel you did not perform well on the IELTS examination, you do not need to wait before you book another test date and location. But this will be a waste of time and money unless you put in the effort to study and practice in advance in order to raise your score significantly. Also, most universities and B-schools will not be impressed by only small increases in your test score. As long as you meet the minimum score the school requires, your final IELTS test score is unlikely to have any effect at all on your admissions consideration.
IELTS is an excellent option for students to demonstrate their English proficiency to a prospective school’s Master’s or MBA program, and it is accepted widely. Be sure that your desired school and program accept the IELTS test score for your admission application, and know what the minimum score is. That will give you a goal to aim for when test day comes.
Want to see examples of an IELTS exam before booking your test? Check official IELTS test samples and preparation guides to maximize your score!
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