It’s well known that English is an international language. Every country in the world uses it, and it’s always a real advantage to be able to speak it fluently and correctly. A knowledge of English is a real asset. Today, many training courses focus on learning this language, and there are numerous tests on the market to assess your English skills. With so many to choose from, it’s not always easy to find the right test. However, one test stands out from the rest: IELTS. 
What can we say about the test IELTS ?
First of all, this test is one of the most highly regarded in the world. It’s a test of language skills, especially for those who want to continue their studies at English-speaking universities. L’ IELTS or Internationa English Language Testing System is owned by a global partnership in English language and education represented by the IDP, the British Council, Cambridge English Language Assessment and theIELTS Australia. Millions of people take the test every year, and it is recognized in over 10,000 institutions worldwide. It’s worth noting that this test is open to all candidates, with no diploma requirements whatsoever. However, it is not recommended for young people under the age of 16, as it is only valid for 2 years. 
What can be said about the content of the tests? ?
Before taking the test, you’ll need to budget 235 euros, if you’re in France. There are regular sessions in several major French cities, and you need to register in advance to secure a place. The test is held twice a month in Marseille, three times in Paris, once in Nice, once or twice in Bordeaux and Strasbourg, and eight times a year in Nantes. So you can choose the period that suits you best, depending on your availability. Visit test IELTS is made up of four large tests :
– Listening comprehension
During this 40-minute test, you’ll have to answer 40 questions based on audio recordings. These are audio texts that blend the accents and voices of several people. During the test, therefore, it’s essential to be a good listener, so as to be able to discern the purpose of the audio text in question.
– Reading
During this 60-minute test, you will also have to answer 40 questions of various types: complete a sentence, true or false, and so on. The questions are based on texts taken from newspapers, books and magazines.
– Written expression
As with the previous test, the written expression test also lasts 60 minutes. As this is a written expression, the candidate must write a text. The text is a description of several diagrams and another text of 250 words which will enable the candidate to develop a point of view or an argument in relation to an extract from an article.
– Oral expression
The last he IELTS test lasts between 10 and 15 minutes. During this time, the candidate enters into a discussion with an English-speaking person. The discussion consists of 3 parts: introduction of the candidate (studies, work, family, interests, etc.), discussion of a specific topic chosen by the examiner. Candidates have one minute to prepare their speech. The examiner will then ask you questions relating to the second part. As far as marking is concerned, there are two types of marks : the mark for each test and an overall mark. The score is between 1 and 9. A 1 means that the candidate is truly incapable of expressing himself in English, while a 9 indicates that the candidate is a “good” English speaker. « expert user » and is close to bilingualism. 
How do I prepare for the IELTS ?
As for all other tests, you should know that IELTS est un test in the making. It’s not enough just to have a few notions and to get started without fulfilling certain conditions.
– Step 1 : define your actual level
Before embarking on this challenge, you need to test your level of English. Since you need to be at a certain level to pass the test, it’s always a good idea to start by determining your current level. This will enable you to prepare yourself better, but above all to find the most effective solutions to reach your goal more easily. To do this, you can check your IELTS score by taking the EFSET Plus test, for example. This is a two-hour test that will give you a score based on your skills.
– Step 2: Improve your English
Once you’ve defined your level, you can start by improving your knowledge. There are many tools available to help you learn English: books, online tools, courses, YouTube videos, podcasts and much more. There are many ways to learn English, such as reading or listening to podcasts or videos in English, and practicing writing in English. Ideally, you should take an interest in English subjects that match your interests.
– Step number 3 : find out about the test format IELTS
Improving your level of English is not enough if you want to pass the test and get a good score. You also need to learn as much as you can about how the test is scored. Learning the details of each test will help you get a good score. You need to learn how to use the techniques and tricks you’ve assimilated during preparation to get the maximum score on test day. In any case, you should be aware that it can be more effective to follow personalized guidance. Your Dream School can provide you with sound methodological advice and all the resources you need to succeed in the IELTS test.
