One of the most famous and widely recognized standardized English language exams is the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam. It is graded on a scale from 1.0 to 9.0 and assesses the following four skills: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Arte et Marte offers you high-quality and comprehensive preparation for a successful application and passing of the IELTS exam through preparatory courses that include free study materials such as books and multimedia for all participants. Throughout the courses, we use real and up-to-date materials, and students get the opportunity to become fully familiar with all the specific aspects of the exam.
Read more about the IELTS test on our blog.
IELTS test structure
The IELTS test can be taken in a test center either on paper or on a computer and consists of 4 modules, which are usually taken in the following order:
– Listening
– Reading
– Writing
– Speaking
The first three sections are taken consecutively, without any breaks. The oral part (Speaking) can be taken within 7 days before or 7 days after completing the other sections. The Listening and Speaking sections are the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General test candidates, while the Reading and Writing (essay writing) sections differ. The entire test lasts for 2 hours and 45 minutes, with no breaks between individual parts of the test..
| Section | Duration | Task |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 30 min + 10 min to fill in the answer sheet | Listen to 4 conversations or lectures and answer questions |
| Reading | 60 min | Read 3 – 5 texts and answer questions. |
| Writing | 60 min (20 + 40 min) | One essay is the response to a read topic (at least 150 words); the other is the expression of your own opinion to a topic (at least 250 words). |
| Speaking | 11 – 14 min | Three tasks: first you introduce yourself and talk about yourself; in the second you receive a topic to talk about for 2 minutes (after 1 minute of preparation) and answer the examiner's questions; in the third the examiner will ask you additional questions about the previous subject. |
What is the IELTS test
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a standardized test created by the University of Cambridge to assess the level of proficiency and understanding of the English language. The IELTS exam tests all levels of English language knowledge, allowing individuals to utilize their acquired skills for work abroad or for academic purposes. Universities, employers, immigration services, and professional bodies worldwide request IELTS test results. Taking the IELTS test is a requirement for immigration to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
There are two types of IELTS tests:
IELTS Academic: This version is used for academic purposes and joining professional organizations.
IELTS General: This version is used for employment and residency purposes abroad.
Scoring
Each skill in the IELTS test is scored and converted to a scale ranging from 1 to 9 (Band Raw Score). The overall result is calculated as the average of these skills, expressed again on a scale ranging from 0 to 9 (Overall Band Score).
The following table approximately illustrates how the points in each part of the test (Raw Score) can be converted to the IELTS test scale (Band Score).
| Band score | 9.0 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening Raw Score | 40-39 | 38-37 | 36-35 | 34-33 | 32-30 | 29-27 | 26-23 | 22-20 | 19-16 |
| Reading Raw Score | 40-39 | 37 | 35 | 33 | 30 | 27 | 23 | 20 | 16 |
Note: The table provides approximate values for converting raw scores to band scores in the IELTS test. The actual conversion process may involve more detailed calculations and may vary slightly depending on the specific test version and scoring criteria.
What does the preparation for the IELTS exam look like at Arte et Marte?
For successful completion of the exam we recommend attending preparatory courses for the specific test to gain experience and better prepare for it. To achieve your desired results, it is essential to be familiar with and confidently master specific test-taking techniques that can help you score higher.
We emphasize the measurability of progress, so before enrolling in the course, we suggest taking a diagnostic entrance exam, and at the end of the course, there will be an exit exam (included in the course fee). Further group or individual work will focus on improving the skills in which you achieved lower scores.
Arte et Marte provides high-quality and comprehensive preparation for a successful application and completion of the IELTS exam through preparatory courses that include free preparatory materials (books and multimedia) for all participants. Throughout the course, we use real and up-to-date materials, giving participants the opportunity to fully familiarize themselves with all the specifics of the exam. The course covers improving the skills tested on the IELTS exam, but more importantly, it includes mastering specific techniques for this test. Some of these skills include special listening and reading techniques, recognizing specific information, as well as efficient note-taking techniques in the listening, speaking, and writing sections.
In our approach to teaching and counseling, we employ tried-and-tested principles and methods that we have adopted and perfected over years of pedagogical and methodological work. Group lessons are organized in small groups at times arranged by mutual agreement, and our teachers maintain an individual approach to each participant even in group settings. We also believe that our task is to provide the necessary assistance to our students in a pleasant and relaxed working atmosphere.
Depending on your needs, prior knowledge, and schedule, we offer the following types of courses:
Group Courses
GROUP EXPRESS COURSE 24 classes
We recommend the Express Course to participants who cannot dedicate a longer period of time to attend classes. Due to the significant number of hours and slightly shorter class duration, this course requires a readiness for intensive additional self-study at home.
GROUP REGULAR COURSE 30 classes
The Regular Course is an ideal choice for those who prefer group work within a relatively short period. This course maintains an optimal pace and intensity to ensure sufficient attention to all language skills and types of tasks that appear on the test. It also requires a readiness for additional self-study at home.
GROUP INTENSIVE COURSE 40 classes
The Intensive Course is a perfect choice for those who want comprehensive preparation and/or have less time for home study and/or scored low on the entrance exam but need a significant improvement to reach the target score. The Intensive Course allows ample time to focus on grammar revision, all language skills, and types of tasks that appear on the test.
Individual Courses
INDIVIDUAL EXPRESS COURSE 16 classes
We recommend the Express Course to participants who cannot dedicate a longer period of time to attend classes. Due to the limited number of hours and shorter duration of classes, this course requires a readiness for intensive additional self-study at home. The timing, content, and dynamics of individual courses are fully tailored to the participant and the target result.
INDIVIDUAL REGULAR COURSE 26 classes
This course is for you if you prefer preparation with maximum teacher support, quality materials, and multimedia, along with an optimal pace and intensity to ensure sufficient attention to all language skills and types of tasks that appear on the test. The timing, content, and dynamics of individual courses are fully tailored to the participant and the target result, and the course requires a readiness for additional self-study at home.
INDIVIDUAL MODULE 8 classes
This course is for you if you need to improve your score in only one of the skills and/or if you have already prepared for the exam on your own or with someone else. The timing, content, and dynamics of individual courses are fully tailored to the participant and the target result, and the course requires a readiness for intensive additional self-study at home.
INDIVIDUAL MINI PACKAGE 3 classes
This course is for you if you only need basic instructions for the test and/or if you are starting your preparation at the last moment. The timing, content, and dynamics of individual courses are fully tailored to the participant and the target result.
Prices
| GROUP IELTS COURSES | INDIVIDUAL IELTS COURSE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GROUP REGULAR COURSE | GROUP CRASH COURSE | GROUP INTENSIVE COURSE | INDIVIDUAL REGULAR COURSE | INDIVIDUAL CRASH COURSE | INDIVIDUAL MODULE | INDIVIDUAL MINI PACKAGE |
| Entrance exam 24 classes free materials |
Entrance exam 30 classes free materials |
Entrance exam 40 classes free materials |
Entrance exam 26 casses free materials |
16 classes free materials |
8 classes free materials |
Entrance exam Basic test instructions (3 classes) free materials |
| 280€ | 250€ | 430€ | 750€ | 400€ | 210€ | 95€ |
