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IELTS EXAM
International English Language Testing System

WHAT IS IELTS?
IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is used as the language of communication. IELTS tests are administered at accredited Test Centres throughout the world - there are currently more than 300 Centres, in over 120 countries.
IELTS is recognised by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. It is also recognised by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies.

WHAT'S NEW: Watch the Youtube IELTS preparation videos and improve your score! In each video, a successful IELTS candidate introduces themselves, their IELTS band and their current job before giving a top tip or study skill idea. These short videos focus on the four different exam areas.

IELTS - the world’s leading English test, this year celebrates its 20th anniversary. Read the press release.

Test format and modules
IELTS covers all four language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking and is offered in two test formats - Academic and General Training. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules and there is an option of either Academic or General Training Reading and Writing Modules.
Academic version is suitable for candidates planning to undertake higher education study or who are seeking professional registration.  General Training is suitable for candidates planning to undertake non-academic training or work experience, or for immigration purposes.
Registration

You should register for IELTS at least 5 weeks before the test date by submitting (by post or personally to the British Council in Skopje):

a filled-in application form with two recent photos attached (passport size, with clear background)
a copy of the fee payment slip
photocopy of the personal documents stated in the application form (passport and an ID card).

The IELTS test fee is 8300 denars (British Council bank account: 300000001838574 at Komercijalna Banka).

If you pay from outside Macedonia, the fee is 145 euros net plus local bank charges payable at Komercijalna Banka AD Skopje, Kej "Dimitar Vlahov" 4, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia, KOBSMK2X, Britanski sovet; IBAN: MK07300701001041165

If you come from Kosovo, please contact the British Council office in Prishtina regarding the payment.

You will be informed of the time and place of the test, by e-mail or phone one week before the test date.

If places for the exam are still available, you can register for the exam up until five days before the test.

Entries cannot be transferred from one examination session to a future one. Absent candidates cannot transfer or claim a refund. Refunds (80% of the total fee) can only be made in cases of medical emergency or bereavement. In such cases, relevant documents need to be submitted within 5 working days after the test date.

2009/2010 IELTS exam dates
7 November 2009
21 November 2009
5 December 2009
12 December 2009
23 January 2010

All dates are valid for both versions of the test.

How to prepare for the test

It is not necessary to attend an IELTS preparation course though it is, of course, a good idea to prepare thoroughly for the test at one of the language schools. You can prepare yourself by using self-study materials, the IELTS Specimen Materials Packs with CD. They have been produced according to Cambridge ESOL's Question Paper Production cycle and are the only preparation resources that are endorsed by all three IELTS partners. They include a full practice test with answer key so you can gain experience in the format of the test and get an idea of your level. You can purchase these materials for 750 denars, payable to our bank account: 300000001838574 at Komercijalna banka.

Other preparation materials (course books and audio tapes) can also be borrowed from our Resource centre by becoming a member. You can check the IELTS preparation books list.
You may also access helpful IELTS practice section on British council website Learn English Professionals which includes IELTS practice materials and IELTS test information classroom activities on the Cambridge ESOL Teaching Resources website.

On the day of the test

The test starts at 9 a.m. on the date you registered for. You need to be present at the venue no later than 8:30. You must bring your passport and identity card and you will also need a pencil, a pen and an eraser.

Registration 08:30 – 08:50
Instructions and Questions 08:50 - 09:00
Listening 09:00 – 09:40
Reading 09:45 – 10:45
Writing 11:00 – 12:00
Speaking 13–15 minute interviews
Same day from 12:30 onwards (for candidates who live outside Skopje) and for candidates who live in Skopje, day before or the day after the exam.

For security reasons, candidates must stay in the test room until the end of the Writing exam.

Results

Results are issued on the 13th day after the test date. Scores are issued on a Test Report Form (TRF), showing overall ability as well as performance in each sub-test. Only one TRF will be issued per candidate: this can be collected personally or sent by registered mail to your address as stated on your application form. Results cannot be given by phone or e-mail.
Candidates can check their result online on the 13th day after the test date, after 18:00hrs. The system will not display results older than 28 days.
Up to 5 additional copies of the test report form can be sent to institutions listed in your application form free of charge. The British Council reserves the right not to send additional copies to recipients who are private contacts.

If you ask for additional Test Report Forms (TRF) to be sent to an institution in the period of 2 years after the test date, you will need to fill in a form and pay 400 denars to our bank account no.:300000001838574 at Komercijalna banka.

You can compare your IELTS results to the Common European Framework levels issued by the Council of Europe and to the Cambridge ESOL exams:

Council of Europe Level Cambridge ESOL exams IELTS bands
C2 Good User CPE 7.5+
C1 Competent User CAE 6.5; 7.0
B2 Independent User FCE 5.0; 5.5; 6.0
B1 Threshold User PET 3.5; 4.0; 4.5
A2 Waystage User KET 3.0
A1 Breakthrough 2.0; 1.0

Candidates may apply for an Enquiry on Results within six weeks of the test date. The fee for this service is 5,500 denars which will be refunded should the score on any module is increased. Enquiry on Results can take up to six weeks to complete.

IELTS recognition

IELTS is specified as fulfilling English language requirements for entry to academic courses by the majority of institutions of Further and Higher Education in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom and currently by over 380 universities and colleges in the USA.  It is also used by a number of professional bodies and governments world-wide, including the Ministry of Defence and the General Medical Council in the UK, the Australian Medical Council and the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, the Medical Council of Ireland, the New Zealand Immigration Service, the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools in the USA and Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

In addition it is used for screening and recruitment purposes in-country by universities, business schools and professional bodies in the private sector in a number of overseas countries, including Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Columbia, Cyprus, Denmark, Italy, Lithuania, Malaysia, Myanmar, Poland, Turkey and Vietnam.

You can also search the IELTS website to check if some specific organisation recognises this test.

CONTACTS

If you would like to receive additional information about the IELTS exam, please contact our Exams Coordinator on:

Telephone: 02/3135 035 ext.2110
Fax: 02/3135 036
E-mail: exams@britishcouncil.org.mk

You can also visit us in our premises every Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 2pm to 4pm and get detailed information on IELTS exam.

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