Hello, welcome back. 2 2
Our main focus for this lesson is looking at how you'll be assessed, how you can 3 3
calculate your score, and how you can compare that score to your CEFR band. 4 4
Without further ado, let's get started. 5 5
Within the IELTs exam, there are nine bands that determine a 6 6
candidate's proficiency level. 7 7
A band score of nine is considered an expert user and 8 8
a score of one is a non-user. 9 9
It is also possible to receive a half band. 10 10
Candidates receive a band score for each of the four skills Reading, 11 11
Writing, Listening and Speaking, and a total overall average score. 12 12
Scores are rounded up to the nearest whole or half band. 13 13
Let's take a closer look at these band scores. 14 14
As you can see here, these are all nine bands, the skill level and descriptions. 15 15
Ideally, you want to be in the seven to nine range when taking the exam. 16 16
Let's take a look at Band 7. 17 17
To be in Band 7, you'll have an operational command of English, but 18 18
with the occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and 19 19
misunderstandings in some situations. 20 20
As you move up in the band scores, 21 21
you'll notice that these inaccuracies and misunderstandings will be less and less. 22 22
Until you get to Band 9, where the English usage is 23 23
appropriate, accurate, and fluent. 24 24
After receiving the scores, you will have to calculate your overall band score 25 25
from the results of the four sections. 26 26
Simply add all four together and divide it by four, and you will get your average. 27 27
Once you have the average, 28 28
make sure you round to the nearest hole or half band. 29 29
As you can see in the examples, all the test takers had to 30 30
round up or down their scores. 31 31
If the average of the four sections ends in 0.25, the overall band score should be 32 32
rounded up to the next half band, and if it ends in 0.75, the overall band score 33 33
is rounded up to the next whole band. 34 34
Now I'm sure you're asking how you can tell which band score you are beginning 35 35
from so you can know how much work you have to put in to reach your goal band. 36 36
Well, it's pretty simple. 37 37
You can use your CEFR score to get your starting point. 38 38
So let's compare the Council of Europe's Common European framework of 39 39
reference for languages, or CEFR is a series of descriptions of abilities 40 40
at different learning levels that can be applied to any language. 41 41
Knowing your CEFR band can provide a starting point for 42 42
interpreting and comparing different language qualifications. 43 43
Do you know your CEFR band? 44 44
If you don't know it, it is linked as a resource for this 45 45
class and the ones before it. 46 46
You will need 50 minutes to complete the test and it is completely free. 47 47
Please take the EF set, not the quick set. 48 48
Once you know your score, you can use this chart and compare the IELTS 49 49
score to your corresponding CEFR band. 50 50
Now, throughout each unit of this course, I will be giving 51 51
you challenges to complete. 52 52
It may be one or multiple. 53 53
For this unit, there is two. 54 54
The first being the IELTS quiz that I would like you to complete. 55 55
In your resources, 56 56
there will be an IELTS information worksheet. 57 57
You can use this sheet to complete the quiz. 58 58
It will be very quick. 59 59
You'll only need about five minutes. 60 60
I'm assigning this exercise just to make sure you understand the 61 61
basic mechanics of the IELTS exam. 62 62
Once you're finished this challenge, I encourage you to complete 63 63
the next activity, which is... 64 64
the 3, 2, 1 exercise. 65 65
In the comments I want you to write three things you learned about this unit, two 66 66
things you want to know more about, and one question you have about the unit. 67 67
Get in the practice of completing this exercise after every unit you finish. 68 68
This will help you reflect on what you've learned and keep you engaged 69 69
with the content you are learning. 70 70
It will also help me see that you aren't getting lost with the content 71 71
and include the things you want to learn in future bonus lessons. 72 72
If the topics haven't already been covered in the main course. 73 73
Well, you've made it through the first unit. 74 74
How does it feel? 75 75
Good. 76 76
Right. 77 77
In the next lesson, we will be starting unit two Test-Taking Strategies In this 78 78
unit, I will be giving you some useful IELTS Specific Test-Taking Strategies 79 79
that you can use during the exam. 80 80
We'll also be doing some self-assessment exercises to help you focus in on 81 81
your goals and create ways to keep you motivated during the studying period. 82 82
With that being said, until next time, grasshoppers, bye.