In this edition:
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Introduction
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Comparisons Between Bands In The IELTS Test
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IELTS Test-taker performance 2004
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New IELTS Information for Candidates Booklet
Introduction
Welcome to the first issue of the Your IELTS Guide newsletter for 2006. Happy New Year to you all!
This month we continue our series "Comparisons Between Bands In The IELTS Test" by looking at "Task Achievement", one of the four criteria used to assess Task 1 of the Writing module.
Just what is "Task Achievement" and what is the difference between a band 5 score and a 7?
Last month I mentioned that IELTS have published results of test performance for 2004 on their website. This month we take a look at the results for test-takers.
Were you aware that a new, 2006, IELTS Information for Candidates booklet had been published? We provide a link to download it and discuss what has changed.
****** STOP PRESS******
We have just noticed a new page on the IELTS website. It states "From 1 May 2006 the policy on candidates re-taking IELTS will be amended."
This means that, from May 1st candidates will no longer be required to wait 90 days before retaking the test.
Read more here.
Use this link to read back issues.
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends!
Comparisons Between Bands In The IELTS Test - Task Achievement - Bands 5, 6 & 7 in the Writing test
Now that IELTS have provided public descriptors on their website, it is worth having a look at the differences between some of the band grades. This month we will look at the differences under Task Achievement between Bands 5, 6 & 7 in the Writing Task 1 test.
Look at the table below:
BAND 5
Task Achievement
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BAND 6
Task Achievement
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BAND 7
Task Achievement
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1 generally addresses the task; the format may be inappropriate in places
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1 addresses the requirements of the task
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1 covers the requirements of the task
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2 (Academic) recounts detail mechanically with no clear overview; there may be no data to support the description
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2 (Academic) presents an overview with information appropriately selected
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2 (Academic) presents a clear overview of main trends, differences or stages
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3 (General Training) may present a purpose for the letter that is unclear at times; the tone may be variable and sometimes inappropriate
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3 (General Training) presents a purpose that is generally clear; there may be inconsistencies in tone
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3 (General Training) presents a clear purpose, with the tone consistent and appropriate
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4 presents, but inadequately covers, key features / bullet points; there may be a tendency to focus on details
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4 presents and adequately highlights key features / bullet points but details may be irrelevant, inappropriate or inaccurate
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4 clearly presents and highlights key features / bullet points but could be more fully extended
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It goes without saying that there are big differences between Bands 5 and 7. Firstly, what is Task Achievement? This refers to what the question is asking you to do, and for the Academic module this means summarising information (usually from a graph) by selecting and reporting the main features, using comparisons if relevant; whereas for the General module it means writing a letter according to the requirements set out in the bullet points.
Under 1 above, format is mentioned for Band 5 but not for the other bands. Format relates to what you are being asked to write. The General module clearly asks for a letter and so if you begin Dear Sir but finish without signing your name, that is an example of inappropriacy. The format of the Academic module is a summary, probably consisting of 3 or 4 paragraphs, including a very brief introduction and conclusion.
2 above refers to the Academic module and specifically the overview. An overview is not detail; it is part of your brief introduction and could be mention of what you expected to find compared with what you actually found after analysing the graph. This section also mentions trends, differences or stages. These are absent in a Band 5 answer, which tends to focus on detail (figures and percentages, for example) only.
3 above refers to the General module, specifically why you are writing the letter and the tone of the letter. Each section in a letter has a purpose but the general purpose for writing should be part of your introduction. You may be writing to complain about something or you may be inviting someone to do something, for example. The purpose for writing will be clear in the question. In a Band 5 answer the purpose is not generally clear. The tone of the letter is about using the right degree of formality or informality as appropriate for the type of letter in question. You should think about how you would write to a bank manager compared to your boss, compared to your sister or brother, for example. It is not just how you begin and end your letter but the specific words you use to get the response you would expect in the reply.
4 above refers to the main body of Task 1 of both modules. A Band 5 answer does not highlight the key features in the graph and may not cover all bullet points in the letter. A Band 6 answer may get some facts or figures wrong, and whilst a Band 7 answer would not have any inaccuracies, there would still be room for more information.
For more information on the Writing test check out our
IELTS Writing Module,
IELTS Writing Tips and
IELTS Writing Preparation
pages.
Test-taker performance 2004
IELTS measured the performance of candidates who took the IELTS test in 2004 analysing the results by format (Academic or General Training), gender, first language and nationality.
At least we could understand this page of data! Unlike the data we reported on last month! Here is a summary of their findings:
More than three-quarters of candidates took the Academic format. These candidates found the Writing module most difficult whereas General Training candidates were better at Writing and Speaking than at Listening and Reading.
Academic candidates showed less variation between modules than General Training candidates.
Academic candidates were evenly split by gender but more than 60% of General Training candidates were male.
The average overall score varied slightly by gender and format taken but in each case was very close to 6.
The data is also broken down by first language and nationality. There is far too much detail for us to repeat here but you might find it interesting to take a look yourself at:
IELTS Test-taker performance 2004
New IELTS Information for Candidates Booklet
IELTS have made some changes to their Information for Candidates booklet. We have read through the booklet and can report that changes from the previous version are mainly concerned with the IELTS changes made last year, ie.:
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The date results become available. Results are now produced 13 days after the test. Previously they were "usually available within two weeks of the test".
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An Enquiry on Results must be made within 6 weeks of the test date. Previously this was "within four weeks of issue of results".
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The Writing examples now have the new rubrics.
There are also some other minor changes. We recommend all candidates get a copy of the new "IELTS Information for Candidates (2006)" booklet from your local Test Centre or use the following link to download a pdf copy:
IELTS Information for Candidates (2006)
