Why is the IELTS Exam required?

A common question asked by most students, study abroad aspirants, and working professionals is, why do we need to take the IELTS examination when the medium of instruction for both school and college was English? It is important to understand and fully comprehend the requirements of an IELTS exam before taking the next steps. While the answer is not that straightforward, one must realize that the level of language competency required by a country and/ or institution could be far higher than the levels taught within the country. Simply put, an Indian student’s English language proficiency in Class XII would be different from the language English proficiency of another student who completed their schooling in the UK or Brazil or Thailand. That said, we cannot override the fact that English is a language and hence cannot be subject to exacting standards as many other subjects could.

As an outcome, students aspiring to study abroad are required to prove that their English language proficiency is up to the mark, for the country in which they want to study. This is where language testing systems such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) play an instrumental role in establishing the level of proficiency for the English language among students from different nationalities and education systems. A valid band/score in the IELTS exam portrays an individual’s ability to read, write, listen, and speak in English at the level of higher education abroad. 

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a tool prepared by the Cambridge English Language Assessment to assess the ability of college/university applicants coming from non–native English speaking countries, such as India to ensure that the incoming potential students can seamlessly transition to an entirely different cultural setting with the help of a test that helps evaluate their English language proficiency. In other words, the IELTS exam addresses how well an individual is capable of understanding and working with the English language as a medium of instruction and examination. While the nature of the questions may vary, the IELTS is conducted to test the candidate’s overall linguistic prowess and the ability to complete their studies in English.

Therefore, whether you wish to study in any English speaking country such as the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, or Ireland, a valid IELTS score is a ticket to secure admission into your desired college or university.