The IELTS Exam is a key requirement if you plan to study or work in country where the medium of instruction is the English Language.
If you are applying to study in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, or Canada where there are visa sponsorship jobs, you will need to demonstrate your proficiency of the English Language. However, some scholarships do not require IELTS especially for Nigerians.
In this post, we want to discuss in detail, a description of the IELTS Exam, the structure, cost of registration, and the step-by-step process to apply.
What is the IELTS Exam?
The International English Language Testing Scheme (IELTS) is the British Council’s initiative to test and certify the English Language proficiency of students from countries outside the United Kingdom (especially non-English-speaking countries).
The IELTS Exam is designed to help you achieve your ambition of working, studying or moving to a country where English is spoken.
Jointly funded by the British Council, Cambridge University Press and Assessment, and the IDP – IELTS, the exam gives non-native speakers of English the confidence and certification to thrive in the educational and job environment of top countries in the world.
What are the types of IELTS Exams in Nigeria?
The IELTS Exam tests has two versions namely; IELTS Academic or General Training.
In IELTS Academic, the level of your English proficiency is measured and tailored for higher learning environments.
Whether you’re going into academia or pursuing further education at graduate levels, this format ensures that tasks and texts are accessible to all, regardless of your subject focus.
Not just limited to academia, many professions such as medical, nursing, accounting, and engineering, mandate an Academic test result for registration purposes across various countries.
Meanwhile, in the realm of IELTS General Training, you are tested based on the practical and everyday aspects of English language proficiency.
The tasks and texts mirror real-life workplace scenarios and social interactions.
This format is specifically for people venturing into English-speaking countries for secondary education, work experience, or training programs, this version of the test serves as a practical gateway.
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Moreover, if your sights are set on migrating to English-speaking destinations like Australia, the UK, Canada, or New Zealand, the General Training test often becomes a visa requirement, for seamless transitions.
How much is IELTS in Nigeria?
The cost of IELTS varies by country. The British Council earlier announced in March that Nigerians will have to pay a sum of N249,000 to N285,000 to register for the IELTS exam.
- IELTS on Computer Academic and General Training Modules: ₦266,000*
- IELTS on Paper Academic and General Training Modules: ₦256,500*
What are the Formats of IELTS Exams?
The IELTS Exam has four basic formats;
- Speaking
In this section, you will be asked to answer general questions about yourself as well as other range of familiar topics, such as their home, family, work, studies and interests.
The whole of this session lasts about 14 minutes.
2. Listening
This section tests your ability to understand the main ideas in a sentence, a passage, or a writeup.
You will be asked to listen to four recorded texts, monologues and conversations by a range of native speakers. You will then be asked to write your answers.
A total of thirty (30) minutes will be allocated for this task
3. Reading
This section tests your ability to read and understand comprehension passages.
You will be tested from authentic texts taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. The test usually lasts 60 minutes.
4. Writing
The writing format contains the General and the Academic Versions.
You will be writing four essays altogether; two in each of the versions. For the academic versions;
- You would be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarize or explain the information in your own words.
- You would also be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.
The General Training Version lets you write;
- on a situation presented before you and write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation.
- The last essay will be similar to the one in academic writing. You will also be asked write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.
Where are IELTS Test Centres in Nigeria?
IELTS Venues in Nigeria are many. The venues are spread across the geopolitical zones of the country.
The IELTS exams centers are present in Lagos, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Kano, Abuja, Benin, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Akure.
Full List of IELTS Test Centres can be found HERE
How to Register for IELTS Exams Online?
Follow the procedures below to register and book your IELTS exam online;
- Visit the British Council website for Nigeria
- Click on “Take Exam” and then “Take Exam with British Council“
- Proceed to Book Your IELTS Test
- Next step is to select a test date and the particular test you intend to take
- Select also your preferred test centre- you may choose the nearest one to you
- If you don’t have an account with the British Council, you’d have to create one at this point
- You will then be directed to the payment gateway
- Make your payment and confirm your details
- You can also get preparatory materials (fees apply) before you finally submit
What Minimum Score is Required for IELTS?
The minimum pass score varies by the school or organization you are applying to. On the average however, a score of 6.0 out of the possible 9.0 is advisable.
Each of the four sections of the IELTS exam is graded on a scale of 1-9, 1 being the lowest. The average of all the four sections is displayed as your final result.
Some schools and organizations however, require a specific minimum score for each of the speaking, writing, reading, and listening sections.
How To Pass IELTS Exam in Nigeria?
The IELTS exam is not difficult to pass. To get the best of results, you are advised to get the IELTS Exam preparatory materials.
Which Countries are exempted from IELTS?
If required by the school or organization in the UK, Nigerian students would have to write the IELTS Exam.
However, Nigerian applying to study in Canada, Australia, or the United States of America do not need to write the IELTS or TOEFL exam as the country as well as many others not recognized by the UK Government have been recognized to be English-speaking countries by the US Government.
The UK Government has only exempted the following countries from writing the IELTS;
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- the Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- the British overseas territories
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- UK
- USA
Alternatives to IELTS
The Alternative English proficiency exams to the IELTS are;
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- The Pearson Test of English (PTE)
- Pearson English Language test
- Cambridge English Assessment
- Duolingo
- The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
- SAT English Test
- Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
