IELTS Test Centers and Locations with Free Practice Materials and My Experience in Singapore

One of the requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program in Canada is to provide a proof of your language skills.  To do this is to take the International English Testing System (IELTS) exam.

The exam is to check your skills in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.  Each skill will be measured by a band score, which is then used to compute for the points at your FSW eligibility under the language skills factor.

There are two types of the exam, one is Academic and the other is the General Training.  If we are taking the test as a proof of our language skills for the FSW in Canada, we only need to take the General Training test.

Where to Take the IELTS?
There are many test centers for IELTS that you can choose from.  For me, I took it with the British Council examiner for the following reasons:

• The name itself, British Council, is legitimate enough to take the English Test.
• The website of the British Council is easy to navigate and I found no glitch when I tried it with my IELTS application.
• They will provide IELTS reviewers once the appointment fee is received.
• The test center, in Singapore, is organized, no hassles.
• The results delivered at my doorstep was on time as expected.

IELTS has more than 900 test centers and locations in more than 130 countries.  I made a link for you, so you can select the IELTS test center and locations nearest you.  It's up to you which center would you take your test with.

IELTS Test Centers in More Than 130 Countries

What to Expect During the IELTS Test? 
There are four assessments for the IELTS exam. These are the reading, listening, writing and speaking.  I'll give you an idea based on my experience taking it at the British Council in Singapore.

The test for reading, speaking and listening were done inside an air-conditioned room at the Civil Service College near the Buona Vista MRT Station.

There were 15-20 applicants inside the room seated in rows.  It was a classroom setup with armchairs and a single space gap between applicants.

We were instructed not to take a toilet break or go out from the room during the testing period.  So, for those who will take this test, do not drink a lot of water and never take a heavy breakfast.

There were two audio speakers, paper board and a projector in front that were used for displaying instructions.  The speakers were used for the listening test.

Each test category was given a time limit and was strictly implemented.

Reading - We were given a booklet, inside were articles and short stories provided.  There were three types of passages and need to respond to related questions in a given time limit.

Here are some examples of the test, take note that this is not the actual.  This is only for your reference.

PRACTICE TEST (Reading)

• Blank answer sheet for Reading practice test 
• Questions for Reading practice Test
• Answers for Reading practice Test

Listening - The two audio speakers in front of us were used at this time.  It played a conversation between two persons and we need to fill in the blanks at the questions provided.

PRACTICE TEST (Listening)

• Blank answer sheet for Listening practice test 
• Questions for Listening practice  test 
• Answers for Listening practice test 

Writing - We were given an specific topic wherein we need to write about it.

PRACTICE TEST (Writing)

• Questions for Writing practice test 
• Answers for Writing practice test 

Speaking - This was taken at a different location, at Napier Road. At the moment I entered the room, the examiner asked me about my personal background.  I never thought that it was part of the exam, so I just answered her questions normally.

The next question that she asked me, the actual test topic, was "Do you read newspapers? What do you think about the future of newspapers in this digital world?".

This time, I was quite nervous thinking that it's the actual test question.  What I did was to say everything that I needed to say, the best that I can in an orderly manner.

PRACTICE TEST (Speaking) AUDIO

• Questions for Speaking practice test Part 1
• Questions for Speaking practice test Part 2
• Questions for Speaking practice test Part 3

I got a good score with each of the test and so with my FSW Canada points for Language Skills.

Source of the sample tests and audio: http://www.takeielts.britishcouncil.org

Do You Think Your English is Good Enough for the IELTS?
If you're hesitant on your language skills, you need to study more on it.  Below is one of the IELTS Reviewer that you can purchase at a reasonable price.

You can click below to redirect you to Amazon.com website.

What to expect from this book?
Barron's IELTS Superpack, 2nd Ed.

• Academics and professionals looking to validate their English language proficiency by taking the IELTS get the most comprehensive preparation available anywhere with Barron's IELTS Superpack.
• It consists of the new 3rd edition of the Barron's brand-new IELTS manual with 2 audio CDs, 
• IELTS Practice Exams with 2 audio CDs, and
• Barron's Essential Words for the IELTS

Other Reviewers for more choices: 
Language Skills (CELPIP, IELTS and TEF) Reviewers

Disclosure: Whenever you buy the products at those links, I can get an affiliate commission and I Thank You for doing so.

*If you like this post or appreciate the author, please tick the LIKE button below.

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If you have any questions regarding this post, you can leave a comment below or email me at benalagnam@yahoo.com.

Important: Please read the DISCLAIMER Page

For questions not related to this post, leave a comment at the ASK ME.

If you want to know more about my life in Singapore, visit my blog at BenAlagnam.com

How much you need to prepare for the applications, visit EXPENSES.

Check on what are the documents you need to prepare and more info on RESOURCES.

Language Skills (CELPIP, IELTS and TEF) Reviewers

To measure your ability to speak in English or in French, you need to provide proof of your Language Skills.

Language Skills are one of the eligibility factors that you need, to earn points to be eligible to the Federal Skilled Worker Program in Canada.

In order to measure your ability in speaking English, you need to take one of this English test:

CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program

or 

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

If you have knowledge on French language, you can also take the the test and provide the result as your proof.

TEF: Test d’évaluation de français

Reviewers for Language Skills (CELPIP, IELTS & TEF)
If you think that your language skills is not enough for the tests, you need to go for a reviewer.  If you fail, you need to take the test again until you get the points required by the FSW Program.

To make sure you have a good result, you can go to the Review Centers to review for you English or French Language and have to pay for the review fees.

On the other hand, you can also review at your own by purchasing the following review materials:

CELPIP Reviewer

CELPIP Preparation Course - CELPIP General with answers is a preparation coursebook, created to help you achieve a higher level of success on your exam. With many activities practicing all areas of the exam ,(writing, reading, listening and speaking) not only will you gain insight into the exam but your overall level of English will improve.  

Topics covered include money, transportation, the environment, working life, food, family and technology. Each unit focuses on a different Canadian city, giving you information and a bit of history while helping you prepare for the exam. 

With easy to understand brief grammar descriptions, loads of extra activities and helpful tips in the Appendix, this book is all you need! The answers also provide further information and more in-depth instruction and explanation.

IELTS Reviewer

IELTS Official Practice Materials 2 - 

The book contains:

• Practice tests for Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing (both Academic and General Training); 
• Listening, Reading and Writing answer sheets; 
• Listening and Reading practice test answer keys and Listening tapescripts; 
• Sample candidate Writing responses and examiner comments; 
• Sample candidate Speaking tests and examiner comments. 
• The DVD contains a Listening test for candidates to practise and film footage of three students taking the Speaking test.

Cambridge IELTS Reviewer

Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS -  It contains all you need to succeed in the exam. Skill-building exercises cover all of the question types in the exam for both the General Training and Academic Modules. 

They have researched into real IELTS candidates' exam answers - and the mistakes they make, helps you avoid the same ones! Eight official practice tests and a focus on test-taking strategy help you maximise your score. 

The DVD-ROM includes videos of the Speaking test, and all the listening material, including the tests, as MP3 files. 

IELTS is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment.

TEF French Language Reviewer

For the French language reviewer, you can purchase this material.

TEF: Test D'Evaluation de Francais - The book helps you to be prepared to the exam measuring your level of knowledge in French.

Ultimate French Reviewer

The Ultimate French Review and Practice - This book gives you a good grasp of grammar so you can build your skills and confidence in communication. 

Each grammatical concept is explained and illustrated with engaging sentence examples; you'll also get extensive exercises offer practice at applying this knowledge in everyday conversation.

This book/CD-ROM package includes:

• More than 400 exercises, in addition to 200 exercises on the accompanying CD-ROM
• A Pre-Test that identifies your strengths and weaknesses and a Post-Test that helps you review your progress, both on the CD-ROM
• Bonus online content, including audio exercises as well as internet-based activities focused on key cultural website across the French-speaking world.

My Experience in Taking IELTS Exam in Singapore
I took my IELTS exam in Singapore, particularly at the British Council.

There are two posts that I made on How to take IELTS in Singapore and When To Take IELTS?. You can also check the IELTS test centers there.

How to Send Your Test Result to Canada?
Once you have completed the test, the test center will send you the results through mail.  This is in a form of a certificate with indicated band scores.  The copy that they are sending at you home is an original.

You will send this ORIGINAL copy with your Full application to Canada.

I hope that this post can help you with your application.  If you like this post or appreciate the author, please tick the LIKE button below.

DISCLOSURE: I am an affiliate with Amazon.com, the items that you will buy from that website when you click from the above links will give me a commission.  Thank you for the help and patronizing my affiliate products.

___________________________________
If you have any questions regarding this post, you can leave a comment below or email me at benalagnam@yahoo.com.

Important: Please read the DISCLAIMER Page

For questions not related to this post, leave a comment at the ASK ME.

If you want to know more about my life in Singapore, visit my blog at BenAlagnam.com

How much you need to prepare for the applications, visit EXPENSES.

Check on what are the documents you need to prepare and more info on RESOURCES.