1 1 00:00:09,087 --> 00:00:10,978 Hello, welcome back. 2 2 00:00:11,067 --> 00:00:15,447 Our main focus for this lesson is looking at how you'll be assessed, how you can 3 3 00:00:15,447 --> 00:00:20,488 calculate your score, and how you can compare that score to your CEFR band. 4 4 00:00:20,697 --> 00:00:22,768 Without further ado, let's get started. 5 5 00:00:23,828 --> 00:00:27,427 Within the IELTs exam, there are nine bands that determine a 6 6 00:00:27,428 --> 00:00:29,229 candidate's proficiency level. 7 7 00:00:29,648 --> 00:00:33,609 A band score of nine is considered an expert user and 8 8 00:00:33,613 --> 00:00:35,739 a score of one is a non-user. 9 9 00:00:36,248 --> 00:00:39,309 It is also possible to receive a half band. 10 10 00:00:44,049 --> 00:00:48,609 Candidates receive a band score for each of the four skills Reading, 11 11 00:00:48,609 --> 00:00:52,910 Writing, Listening and Speaking, and a total overall average score. 12 12 00:00:53,299 --> 00:00:56,840 Scores are rounded up to the nearest whole or half band. 13 13 00:00:57,439 --> 00:01:00,260 Let's take a closer look at these band scores. 14 14 00:01:00,956 --> 00:01:05,567 As you can see here, these are all nine bands, the skill level and descriptions. 15 15 00:01:06,627 --> 00:01:11,577 Ideally, you want to be in the seven to nine range when taking the exam. 16 16 00:01:12,027 --> 00:01:13,738 Let's take a look at Band 7. 17 17 00:01:14,552 --> 00:01:19,580 To be in Band 7, you'll have an operational command of English, but 18 18 00:01:19,580 --> 00:01:23,544 with the occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and 19 19 00:01:23,548 --> 00:01:26,093 misunderstandings in some situations. 20 20 00:01:26,663 --> 00:01:28,944 As you move up in the band scores, 21 21 00:01:29,163 --> 00:01:33,844 you'll notice that these inaccuracies and misunderstandings will be less and less. 22 22 00:01:34,233 --> 00:01:37,450 Until you get to Band 9, where the English usage is 23 23 00:01:37,450 --> 00:01:39,627 appropriate, accurate, and fluent. 24 24 00:01:40,453 --> 00:01:45,164 After receiving the scores, you will have to calculate your overall band score 25 25 00:01:45,168 --> 00:01:47,294 from the results of the four sections. 26 26 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:52,601 Simply add all four together and divide it by four, and you will get your average. 27 27 00:01:53,410 --> 00:01:54,581 Once you have the average, 28 28 00:01:54,625 --> 00:01:58,046 make sure you round to the nearest hole or half band. 29 29 00:01:58,735 --> 00:02:02,665 As you can see in the examples, all the test takers had to 30 30 00:02:02,665 --> 00:02:04,556 round up or down their scores. 31 31 00:02:05,625 --> 00:02:11,595 If the average of the four sections ends in 0.25, the overall band score should be 32 32 00:02:11,595 --> 00:02:18,531 rounded up to the next half band, and if it ends in 0.75, the overall band score 33 33 00:02:18,531 --> 00:02:20,836 is rounded up to the next whole band. 34 34 00:02:21,996 --> 00:02:26,646 Now I'm sure you're asking how you can tell which band score you are beginning 35 35 00:02:26,646 --> 00:02:31,126 from so you can know how much work you have to put in to reach your goal band. 36 36 00:02:31,425 --> 00:02:32,716 Well, it's pretty simple. 37 37 00:02:33,330 --> 00:02:36,961 You can use your CEFR score to get your starting point. 38 38 00:02:37,413 --> 00:02:42,663 So let's compare the Council of Europe's Common European framework of 39 39 00:02:42,663 --> 00:02:48,963 reference for languages, or CEFR is a series of descriptions of abilities 40 40 00:02:48,963 --> 00:02:53,014 at different learning levels that can be applied to any language. 41 41 00:02:53,613 --> 00:02:57,183 Knowing your CEFR band can provide a starting point for 42 42 00:02:57,183 --> 00:03:00,994 interpreting and comparing different language qualifications. 43 43 00:03:01,415 --> 00:03:03,366 Do you know your CEFR band? 44 44 00:03:03,882 --> 00:03:06,973 If you don't know it, it is linked as a resource for this 45 45 00:03:06,977 --> 00:03:08,893 class and the ones before it. 46 46 00:03:09,372 --> 00:03:13,723 You will need 50 minutes to complete the test and it is completely free. 47 47 00:03:14,112 --> 00:03:16,903 Please take the EF set, not the quick set. 48 48 00:03:18,162 --> 00:03:22,493 Once you know your score, you can use this chart and compare the IELTS 49 49 00:03:22,512 --> 00:03:25,093 score to your corresponding CEFR band. 50 50 00:03:25,685 --> 00:03:29,225 Now, throughout each unit of this course, I will be giving 51 51 00:03:29,225 --> 00:03:30,786 you challenges to complete. 52 52 00:03:30,875 --> 00:03:32,826 It may be one or multiple. 53 53 00:03:33,260 --> 00:03:34,911 For this unit, there is two. 54 54 00:03:35,330 --> 00:03:38,811 The first being the IELTS quiz that I would like you to complete. 55 55 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:40,371 In your resources, 56 56 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:43,641 there will be an IELTS information worksheet. 57 57 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:46,911 You can use this sheet to complete the quiz. 58 58 00:03:47,213 --> 00:03:48,624 It will be very quick. 59 59 00:03:48,683 --> 00:03:50,904 You'll only need about five minutes. 60 60 00:03:51,263 --> 00:03:55,443 I'm assigning this exercise just to make sure you understand the 61 61 00:03:55,443 --> 00:03:57,664 basic mechanics of the IELTS exam. 62 62 00:03:58,207 --> 00:04:01,537 Once you're finished this challenge, I encourage you to complete 63 63 00:04:01,537 --> 00:04:04,358 the next activity, which is... 64 64 00:04:04,913 --> 00:04:06,984 the 3, 2, 1 exercise. 65 65 00:04:07,450 --> 00:04:11,950 In the comments I want you to write three things you learned about this unit, two 66 66 00:04:11,950 --> 00:04:16,149 things you want to know more about, and one question you have about the unit. 67 67 00:04:16,783 --> 00:04:21,523 Get in the practice of completing this exercise after every unit you finish. 68 68 00:04:21,923 --> 00:04:25,763 This will help you reflect on what you've learned and keep you engaged 69 69 00:04:25,763 --> 00:04:27,234 with the content you are learning. 70 70 00:04:27,803 --> 00:04:32,034 It will also help me see that you aren't getting lost with the content 71 71 00:04:32,180 --> 00:04:35,961 and include the things you want to learn in future bonus lessons. 72 72 00:04:36,303 --> 00:04:39,154 If the topics haven't already been covered in the main course. 73 73 00:04:39,844 --> 00:04:41,640 Well, you've made it through the first unit. 74 74 00:04:41,699 --> 00:04:42,540 How does it feel? 75 75 00:04:42,569 --> 00:04:42,779 Good. 76 76 00:04:42,779 --> 00:04:43,170 Right. 77 77 00:04:43,564 --> 00:04:49,024 In the next lesson, we will be starting unit two Test-Taking Strategies In this 78 78 00:04:49,024 --> 00:04:53,914 unit, I will be giving you some useful IELTS Specific Test-Taking Strategies 79 79 00:04:53,914 --> 00:04:55,865 that you can use during the exam. 80 80 00:04:56,734 --> 00:05:01,175 We'll also be doing some self-assessment exercises to help you focus in on 81 81 00:05:01,179 --> 00:05:05,648 your goals and create ways to keep you motivated during the studying period. 82 82 00:05:05,947 --> 00:05:09,947 With that being said, until next time, grasshoppers, bye.