IELTS has launched IELTS Indicator; a relief for students impacted by lockdown across the country, due to pandemic Covid-19It is an online English language test for students not able to attend an IELTS test centre due to the Covid-19 related restrictions.
IELTS Indicator will assess a student’s English language skills in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking in a timed, online test from the comfort of their home. So that students can take the test while being safe at home.
To ensure that the test focuses on real-life conversation skills, face to face speaking test would take place via video call with a trained IELTS Examiner.
IELTS Indicator content has been developed using the same high-quality standards as for all IELTS tests. The format and timing are also maintained similar to the in-person IELTS. Test papers will be marked by the official IELTS Examiners.
Christine Nuttall, Managing Director IELTS at Cambridge Assessment English, said IELTS Indicator will help both students and education providers during this period of disruption.
“We know that many students globally have been affected by the suspension of in-person testing, with their international education aspirations delayed by Covid-19,” Ms Nuttall said.
She further said, “In response to this, the IELTS Partners have developed a test that retains the quality and accuracy of IELTS to give education providers a clear indication of an applicant’s English language skills.” “While it is not intended to replace IELTS, education institutions will be able to use IELTS Indicator results to help assess students’ applications during this period of suspended in-person testing.” “We recognise that this is a difficult time and we want to ensure that education providers are still able to progress students’ applications. IELTS Indicator will provide a reliable, interim measure.” And “Once test centres are able to re-open we will work to offer IELTS testing as soon as possible and have programs in place to help address additional demand.”
IELTS Indicator test will be available in selected locations, where in-person IELTS testing is not currently possible.
In these selected locations, the IELTS Indicator test will be delivered online once a week at scheduled times.
Bookings open from 22 April.