What's the essential purpose of IELTS?

• You will need to understand spoken english in both everyday life and much more formal situations, such as lectures and seminars. The listening component of IELTS assesses how well you can do this.
• When you study you will not have time to read all the books on the reading lists. So you must be able to find important information quickly and accurately from a number of resources. The reading component of IELTS assesses how well you can do this.
• When you have collected your information and your thoughts you will be asked to present your ideas as a formal essay or report. The writing component of IELTS assesses how well you can do this.
• You will also need to talk about yourself and to express your ideas on a variety of topics. The speaking component of IELTS assesses how well you can do this.
• While you are studing, researching or working you will constantly be under great time pressure to find information, think quickly and response appropriately. Throughout IELTS assesses how well you can do all of these.