English Language Tests – Australia
English language proficiency is needed to undertake tertiary studies at Australian and International universities (usually around IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 or TOEFL Paper 530 to 570 or other equivalent language tests).
The testing systems used for entry into academic programs worldwide, including Australia, are IELTS, TOEFL, CAE Cambridge and PTE Academic tests. They are all accepted by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection regarding student visa applicants who need to demonstrate appropriate English proficiency.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
It is the most commonly used English Proficiency test in Australia, and all Australian institutions accept it. Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA also recognize IELTS.
There are two formats available: Academic and General Training. IELTS test consists of 4 modules that test the complete range of English language skills that students commonly encounter when studying or training in the medium of English. The modules are listening, speaking, reading and writing. Candidates take the same listening and writing modules. However, reading and writing modules are different for the two formats.
The Academic test is suitable for candidates planning to undertake higher education, and the General Training test is for candidates planning to take non-academic training, work experience or immigrate.
The scores on each module are called bands. IELTS uses a scale/band of 1-9.
You can check the institution and the minimum IELTS score you need on the official website. Some programs have higher IELTS score requirements, and you would need to email the school for clarification.
How does scoring work for each module?
Listening
The IELTS Listening test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer gets awarded one mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS nine-band scale and reported in whole and half bands. The test is 30 minutes long.
Reading
The IELTS Reading test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer gets awarded one mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS nine-band scale and reported in whole and half bands.
The Academic and General Training Reading tests get graded on the same scale. The difference between the two tests is genre or text type. However, Academic Reading tests may contain texts which feature more difficult vocabulary or greater complexity of style. Usually, more questions must be answered correctly on a General Training Reading test to secure a given band score. The test is 60 minutes long.
Writing
Examiners use assessment criteria to award a band score for each of the four criteria:
Task Achievement (for Task 1), Task Response (for Task 2)
Coherence and Cohesion
Lexical Resource
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The criteria are weighted equally, and the score on the task is the average. The test is 60 minutes long.
Speaking
Examiners use assessment criteria to award a band score for each of the four criteria:
Fluency and Coherence
Lexical Resource
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Pronunciation
The criteria are weighted equally, and the Speaking band score is the average. The test is 11-14 minutes long.
Note that your accent does not affect your speaking score. The examiner focuses on whether you can fluently express yourself verbally.
How do you prepare for your IELTS exam?
Understand the test format:
You can do this by reviewing the test content, the question and task types for each section. The Listening, Reading and Writing sections of all IELTS tests happen on the same day, with no breaks between them.
The Speaking section, however, can happen up to a week before or after the other tests. The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. It is important to also read through the IELTS rules and regulations. These are in the Notice to Candidates and Declaration included in the application form.
IELTS sample questions:
Practising with sample questions can help you familiarize yourself with the test format. The official website provides sample questions to help you prepare for your IELTS test. It gives you an idea of what to expect in the Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking tests.
IELTS Progress Check – official practice test:
IELTS Progress Check is an official IELTS online practice test marked by IELTS trained and qualified markers. It helps you know where you stand before your IELTS test and understand the areas you need to focus on or improve. Take a timed or untimed test and receive feedback, including an indicative overall band score and individual band scores for each section.
Official IELTS practice materials:
The practice materials help you understand the IELTS test format and the types of test questions you may encounter. The book has practice tests for Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing (both Academic and General Training). Listening, Reading and Writing answer sheets; Listening and Reading practice test answer keys and Listening tapescripts; sample candidate Writing responses and examiner comments; sample candidate Speaking tests and examiner comments. The DVD contains a Listening test for candidates to practise and film footage of three students taking the Speaking test. You can purchase official IELTS sample materials from Cambridge University Press or an IELTS test centre.
Consider a preparation course:
If you would like assistance with test preparation, IELTS centres and language schools offer IELTS preparation courses. Many test-takers find that doing the preparation course helps improve their performance, though not necessary. Talk to your local IELTS test centre to find out more.
You can take other English tests to prove your language proficiency.
The TOEFL test – (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
TOEFL tests your ability to use and understand English at the university level. Computer-based testing is available throughout most regions of the world. In addition, Internet-based tests (TOEFL® iBT) are also available in many countries. In areas where computer access is limited, a paper-and-pencil version of the test is made available.
CAE Cambridge test – (Certificate in Advanced English)
It’s a thorough and demanding test of all areas of your language ability. It is available in a paper-based and computer-based format. The CAE exam consists of five modules: reading, writing, use of English, listening and speaking (speaking is a face-to-face exam with two candidates and two assessors).
The PTE Academic test – (Pearson Test of English – Academic)
It is a computer-based exam measuring the individual’s English ability through tasks that reflect real-life settings. The test runs for 3 hours, during which you get 20 different types of tasks (some of these test integrated skills (e.g. reading AND speaking). Test results are delivered to test takers online (notification by email) within five working days.
iTEP
It is an American-based online proficiency test accepted by more than 500 Colleges and Universities in the US. It is used for placement testing and admissions and is cheaper in comparison to the other tests. It is not popular in Australia at this stage.
Password Test
It is another online proficiency test based in the UK. It only enjoys limited recognition in Australia.
Duolingo
The Duolingo English Test is an online exam that candidates can take on their personal computers from anywhere, anytime. Candidates need to prove all the four language skills Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. The test is adaptive to mean that the difficulty level of the test increases with every correct answer, and if your answer is incorrect, the next question becomes easy. Although the test duration is around an hour with few questions, it can test your English proficiency quickly.
Some universities in Australia accept Duolingo, but you’d have to email them to confirm.
You can find a summary of the Duolingo test here.
Test Equivalences
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection use the following equivalence table in their judgements:
There are Youtube channels dedicated to helping one practise for their IELTS. One good example is IELTS Daily which provides free practice materials and mock tests that can be helpful to you.
Remember to practise, read instructions carefully, pay attention to all sections and good luck.