PART 5 OF 5: IELTS

In the fifth and final part of our five part series, we explore everything you wanted to know about IELTS.

What is IELTS^®?

The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS, as it is popularly called, is an English Language proficiency test that is required to be taken by non-native students so as to study in countries where the medium of instruction is English. IELTS is accepted by Universities in UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. It has become a mandatory test for study in Australia. One cannot be granted an Australian Student Visa without an IELTS Score. All other study destinations require one to appear for either the TOEFL or the IELTS.

The IELTS tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The structure of the IELTS is as follows:

Reading (60 minutes) (Scoring scale: 0-9 bands)

Reading has 3 passages and 40 items (questions). Each item is worth one mark.

Writing (60 minutes) (Scoring scale: 0-9 bands)

It consists of 2 tasks (Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2) and candidates must answer BOTH tasks.

Listening (40 minutes) (Scoring scale: 0-9 bands)

IELTS Listening has four sections, each with 10 items (or questions). Each item is worth one mark.

Speaking (11-14 minutes) (Scoring scale: 0-9 bands)

IELTS Speaking is a one-to-one interaction between the candidate and an examiner.

IELTS is conducted in Dubai by the British Council. For detailed information about IELTS, please refer the official website of IELTS – www.ielts.org

IELTS FAQ'S: CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR WEBSITE TO FIND ANSWERS TO 11 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TOEFL.

Please feel free to email us at jamboree@jamboreedubai.com if you have any questions.Or just click here to fill out our questionnaire and join our mailing list.

© Copyright Jamboree Education Pvt. Ltd., 2009

PART 4 OF 5: TOEFL®

In the fourth part of our five part series, we explore everything you wanted to know about TOEFL®. In the next part, details of IELTS will be shared. Check back soon for part five.

What is TOEFL^®?

A Standardized Test, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL^®) assesses the English Proficiency of people, whose native language does not happen to be English. It tests the ability to understand North American English. Most Educational Institutes in the US and Canada (approximately 2400) ask applicants for their TOEFL^® Scores. Institutes in other countries, where the mode and language of instruction is English, also use TOEFL^®. Most people take the TOEFL^® test as a prerequisite for admission into colleges and universities where English is used or required. In addition, many government, licensing, and certification agencies and exchange and scholarship programs use TOEFL^® scores to evaluate the English proficiency of people for whom English is not their native language.

The TOEFL^® Internet-based Test (TOEFL^® iBT) tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The structure of the TOEFL^® iBT is as follows:

Reading (60-100 min) (36-70 questions) (0-30 scoring scale)

3-5 passages from academic texts; approx 700 word long with 12-14 questions per passage.

Listening (60-90 min) (34-51 questions) (0-30 scoring scale)

4-6 lectures each 3-5 min long; 6 questions each.

2-3 conversations, each 3 minutes long; 5 questions each.

Speaking (20 min) (6 tasks) (0-4 points converted to 0-30 scoring scale)

2 tasks to express an opinion on a a topic; 4 tasks to speak based on what is read and listened to.

Writing (50 min) (2 tasks) (0-5 points converted to 0-30 scoring scale)

1 task to write based on what is read or listened to; 1 task to support an opinion on a topic.

The US-based "Educational Testing Service"(ETS), develops and administers the TOEFL^®. ETS is responsible for setting questions, conducting the test and sending score reports to each examinee. For detailed information about TOEFL, please refer the official website of TOEFL – www.toefl.org .

TOEFL FAQ'S: CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR WEBSITE TO FIND ANSWERS TO 13 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TOEFL.

Please feel free to email us at jamboree@jamboreedubai.com if you have any questions.Or just click here to fill out our questionnaire and join our mailing list.

© Copyright Jamboree Education Pvt. Ltd., 2009

PART 3 OF 5: SAT®

In the third part of our five part series, we explore everything you wanted to know about SAT®. In the next part, details of TOEFL will be shared. Check back soon for part three.

What is SAT^®?

Their are two types of SAT Exams:
- SAT Reasoning Test or SAT I
- SAT Subject Test

SAT Reasoning Test or SAT I

A standardized test, SAT I measures Verbal, Mathematical and Writing skills. The test intends to primarily aid Undergrad Schools to assess the potential of the applicants for advanced study. Universities in the US, while inviting applications from prospective students, ask for SAT I scores.

The examination is entirely a paper-based Test. The test is scored on a maximum of 2400. The SAT I score alone cannot guarantee admission into a school - the test is only one of the major factors taken into consideration in the long process of an applicant getting admitted into a graduate school he/she desires.

SAT I has three sections – Critical Reading, Maths and Writing. The following is the SAT I test structure.

SAT Subject Test or SAT II

Subject Tests (formerly SAT II: Subject Tests) are designed to measure a student’s knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as his ability to apply that knowledge. Students who want to apply to the Top 15-20 universities in the US are required to take SAT Subject Test.

The examination is entirely a paper-based Test. The test is scored on a maximum of 800. SAT^® II Subject tests are one-hour tests offered in the following subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths Level 1, Maths Level 2, English Literature, US History, World History and Languages.

The US-based College Board develops and administers both the SAT I and SAT II. College Board is responsible for setting questions, conducting the test and sending score reports to each examinee. For detailed information about SAT, please refer the official website of SAT: CLICK HERE

SAT FAQ'S: CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR WEBSITE TO FIND ANSWERS TO 16 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAT.

Please feel free to email us at jamboree@jamboreedubai.com if you have any questions.Or just click here to fill out our questionnaire and join our mailing list.

© Copyright Jamboree Education Pvt. Ltd., 2009

PART 2 OF 5: GRE®

In the second part of our five part series, we explore everything you wanted to know about GRE®. In the next part, details of SAT will be shared. Check back soon for part three.

A standardized test, the Graduate Record Examination measures Verbal, Mathematical and Analytical Writing skills. The test intends to primarily aid Graduate Schools (of all fields other than business) to assess the potential of the applicants for advanced study. Most universities in the US, while inviting applications from prospective students, ask for GRE^® scores.

The examination is entirely a Computer-based Test, and no two students get an identical set of questions. The test is scored on a maximum of 1600. The GRE^®Score alone cannot guarantee admission into a school - the test is only one of the major factors taken into consideration in the long process of an applicant getting admitted into a graduate school he/she desires.

The GRE test has three sections- Quantitative, Verbal and Analytical Writing Assessment. The following is the GRE test structure.

Section	Number of Questions	Time
Analytical Writing	1 Issue Task*	45 minutes
Analytical Writing	1 Argument Task*	30 minutes
Verbal	30	30 minutes
Quantitative	28	45 minutes
Unscored**	Varies	Varies
Research***	Varies	Varies

* For the Issue task, two essay topics are presented and you choose one. The Argument task does not present a choice of topics; instead one topic is presented.

** An unidentified unscored section may be included and may appear in any order after the Analytical Writing section. It is not counted as part of your score.

*** An identified research section that is not scored may be included, and it is always at the end of the test.

The US-based "Educational Testing Service"(ETS), which works under the direction of the Graduate Record Examination Board, develops and administers the GRE^®. ETS is responsible for setting questions, conducting the test and sending score reports to each examinee. For detailed information about GRE, please refer the official website of GRE – CLICK HERE

GRE FAQ'S: CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR WEBSITE TO FIND ANSWERS TO 24 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GRE.

Please feel free to email us at jamboree@jamboreedubai.com if you have any questions. Or just click here to fill out our questionnaire and join our mailing list.

© Copyright Jamboree Education Pvt. Ltd., 2009

PART 1 OF 5: GMAT (TM)

In the first part of a five part series by Jamboree, we explore everything you wanted to know about GMAT(TM). In the next part, details of GRE will be shared. Check back soon for part two.

Students who want to pursue higher studies in countries outside Dubai usually need to take some exams. The kind of exam that you would need to take varies according to the program that you want to pursue.

What is the GMAT^TM?

A standardized test, the Graduate Management Admissions Test measures the Verbal, Mathematical and Analytical skills. The test primarily intends to aid graduate schools of business assess the potential of the applicants for advanced study in business and management. Nearly 1000 management institutes all over the world require GMAT^TM scores from the applicants.

The GMAT^TM is different from most other customary examinations. The examination is entirely computer-based, and no two students get identical sets of questions. Also, students cannot skip questions. The test is scored on a maximum of 800. The GMAT^TM Score alone cannot guarantee admission into a school. The test is only one of the major factors taken into consideration in the long process of an applicant getting admitted into a Business School he/she desires.

The GMAT^TM has three sections – Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing Assessment. The following is the GMAT^TM test structure.

The US-based "Pearson VUE”, which is under the directions of the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) develops and administers the GMAT^TM. Pearson VUE is responsible for setting questions, conducting the test and sending score reports to each examinee. For detailed information about GMAT^TM, please refer the official website of GMAT^TM – CLICK HERE

GMAT FAQ'S: CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR WEBSITE TO FIND ANSWERS TO 22 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GMAT.

Please feel free to email us at jamboree@jamboreedubai.com if you have any questions. Or just click here to fill out our questionnaire and join our mailing list.

© Copyright Jamboree Education Pvt. Ltd., 2009