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Your IELTS Guide Newsletter

In this edition:

• Introduction
• If you don't get the score you need...
• The Writing Test: What the IELTS Handbook says about Task 2

Introduction

Welcome to our third issue of the Your IELTS Guide newsletter.

Some of you will already have taken the IELTS tests but not received the result you need. Others will be wondering what you can do if you don't get the required result. In this issue we have details of options you should consider if you are unfortunate enough not to get the IELTS score you hoped for.

Also in this issue we continue our series of articles explaining how you can use the information in the IELTS Handbook to improve your IELTS score. Here we discuss Task 2 of the writing module.

If you haven't already read them, use these links to read the April 2005 and May 2005 newsletters. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends!

If you don't get the score you need...

If you are taking the IELTS test it is more than likely you have to reach a predetermined score. This may be a requirement in order to attend a university or perhaps for immigration purposes. Failure to attain this score will usually mean that your application is refused; so, if your score is too low, what can you do?

First, you have to consider the reason why you didn't get the score you needed. The most likely reason is that your English ability just isn't good enough. If this is the case, your best option is to to continue your English studies until you reach the required standard and then retake the IELTS exam. If your score is close to that required, you may want to contact the receiving institution (the university or immigration authorities, for example) for advice. Sometimes they can be flexible and if you have other strengths, may accept you with the lower score. Also, many universities will accept you on the basis that you complete a 'pre-sessional' English course which aims to bring you up to the required standard.

One thing you should always bear in mind is that if your English level isn't good enough you will find life extremely stressful. This is particularly true in the case of studying abroad, but also if you wish to emigrate and will be living in a community where few people speak your language.

If, however, you feel your English level is higher than that reflected in your IELTS score you should consider how you coped during the test. A lower than expected score could result from problems you had during the test. Were you very nervous during the speaking interview? Did you write less than the minimum number of words in the writing test, or fail to answer the question adequately? Did you run out of time during the reading test or fail to transfer all your answers to the answer sheet during the listening or reading tests? Any of these could result in you receiving a lower bandscore than you are capable of. In these cases, you have the options outlined above or you accept that you will need to retake the test. If you retake the test try to improve your exam technique by writing lots of timed essays (of the appropriate length and checking the word count), improving your reading speed by learning how to 'skim' and 'scan', and get as much speaking practice as possible. If necessary, investigate relaxation techniques to help calm your nerves.

You may feel that you completed the exam to the best of your ability and still failed to get the score you need. If this is the case, you can wait 3 months and retake the test or you can ask for a re-mark. Remember that if you retake the test you could find that you receive a lower score in one of the modules.

A re-mark has a number of advantages. You will probably get your result more quickly than if you wait and resit the exam. You don't have to have all modules re-marked - so if you just need an increase on one module, you can have just that module re-marked. You have to pay for a re-mark - approximately 2/3 ^rd s the cost of retaking the exam - but will get your money back if the score on any module is increased. You are unlikely to get a score changed for listening or reading as these have an objective marking system; however, speaking and writing are marked subjectively by examiners. This means that if you feel your writing or speaking was marked too low you have a good chance of having your score increased.

From experience we know that it is not uncommon for examiners to mark a script or interview differently.

If you feel that you received a score lower than you deserved in either the speaking or writing (or both) and you don't need a large improvement to get the overall score you need, you should seriously consider asking for a re-mark.

Application for a re-mark is known as an "Enquiry on Results Procedure". You make this application at the centre where you took the test and must do so within 4 weeks of your result being issued.

We would like to see more candidates asking for an Enquiry on Results. If enough did so, perhaps IELTS would tighten up its monitoring of examiners.

For more detailed information on what to do if you do don't get the score you need read this page on our website.

The Writing Test: What the IELTS Handbook says about Task 2

The last article looked at what is required for Task 1. This article will look at what is required for Task 2.

For Task 2 Academic Writing candidates "write a short essay of around 250 words in response to an opinion or a problem. They are expected to demonstrate an ability to discuss issues, construct an argument and use the appropriate tone and register". The second task in the General Writing test is again "a short essay of around 250 words, and is written in response to a given point of view or problem. Candidates are expected to be able to present their own ideas and challenge other ideas, using appropriate tone and register". You will lose marks if you do not write enough so make sure you know what 250 words in your size writing looks like on the page. There is no time to count the words during the exam, so practise beforehand. Appropriate tone and register means formal writing in this instance.

It is our view that there is very little difference between what is required in both the Academic and General Task 2 writing papers. The Handbook states for Academic:

"In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view or argument or problem. Candidates are assessed on their ability to:

• present the solution to a problem
• present and justify an opinion
• compare and contrast evidence, opinions and implications
• evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument

The issues raised are of general interest to, suitable for and easily understood by candidates entering undergraduate or postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration."

and for General:

"In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view or argument or problem. Candidates are assessed on their ability to:

• provide general factual information
• outline a problem and present a solution
• present and possibly justify an opinion, assessment or hypothesis
• present and possibly evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence and argument

The topics are of general interest and it makes no difference what subjects candidates study."

What is important is that the question is understood and you have something to say about it. You will write a better essay if you can look at both sides, that is appreciate that others may hold the opposite view. If you really cannot make a decision one way or another, you should say so and give your reasons.

Essays should always have a beginning, a middle and an end. The beginning is your introduction and it should not be the question asked on the question paper. Yes, you should say what you are going to write about but put the question in your own words. You should then write 2-3 paragraphs for the middle or body of your essay. If you think of one paragraph "for" the argument and one "against", then you won't go far wrong. The final part of your essay is the conclusion which should be a short summary, including your opinion.

The length, 250 words, is really not very much to write, though it is a lot to do in 40 minutes if you include brainstorming the topic, writing and proofreading. You should always think about the topic before starting to write because then you can support your ideas with evidence and thus get a better mark. If you re-read what is required above, both Academic and General require evidence. What does this mean? Has something like what you are writing about happened in your own country? What was the result? This is evidence from your own general knowledge. The topics are of general interest so you should have something to say. Make sure you watch the news and read the newspapers (in your own language if you must) to keep up to date with what is happening and what people have to say. This will help you get some ideas before you start writing.

Reference: IELTS Handbook 2005

For more information on the speaking test check out our IELTS Writing Module, IELTS Writing Tips and IELTS Writing Preparation pages.

You can download the IELTS Handbook from our online IELTS resources page.