IELTS
IELTS is one of the most popular English Proficiency tests in the world. IELTS is an international standardized English Proficiency test recognized by more than 140 countries all across the globe. The IELTS Scores are accepted by more than 11,000 academic institutions, companies, and organizations.
IELTS test is conducted by Cambridge English Language Assessment along with British Council and IDP: Australia. The IELTS test is an English Proficiency test that needs to be taken by people who aspire to study, work or live in an English Speaking country.
Thus, people living in a country like Nepal must take an English proficiency test to show their ability that they can speak and comprehend the English Language. To do this, IELTS plays a huge role, the people aspiring to go to the native English-speaking countries take the IELTS test.
IELTS in Nepal
IELTS is undoubtedly the most favored English Proficiency test in the country. The IELTS test is favored not only because of the number of countries and institutions that accept the test but also because of the wide range of options and availability of the IELTS in Nepal.
There are currently 18 IELTS test centers in major cities throughout the country, both administered by the British Council and IDP.
The favourability of the test not only lies in the number of countries and institutions IELTS is accepted but also lies in the wide range of options and availability of the IELTS test in Nepal.
IELTS in Nepal is conducted by both British Council and IDP and it has about 18 test centers spread in the major cities of the country as of today. Kathmandu, Chitwan, Biratnagar, Nepalgunj, Butwal, Pokhara, and Birtamode are the cities that currently have IELTS test centers.
IELTS costs vary according to the test type. IELTS Paper-Based test cost NPR 25,300, IELTS Computer Delivered test cost NPR 23,650, IELTS (UKVI) cost 28,000 and IELTS (Life Skills A1 & B1) cost NPR 19,600 in Nepal.
IELTS in Nepal, both British Council and IDP conduct the IELTS test. You can choose either British Council or IDP to give your IELTS Exam, but make sure to confirm any one of these two options. The test taker or students need to make payment to the respective organization they choose.
Information regarding Bank details, direct payment, Credit/Debit Card payment, and Online payments are given on the official websites.
To check on the details of how to make payment to the British council, click here.
For IDP, click here.
It is much more convenient to give IELTS than other English Proficiency tests in Nepal. The test is simply an English Proficiency test of your English skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. IELTS in Nepal provides the students with the choice of a paper-based test or a computer-delivered test. However, the computer-delivered test is available in only a few test locations.
One need not worry about the preparations for the IELTS in Nepal, there are many preparation centers all over the country. If one comes to the capital, they may see the preparation centers clustered all here and there offering competitive prices plus mock tests.
IELTS in Nepal has many IELTS test dates. Collectively British Council and IDP provide more than 10 dates per month for the exams of IELTS in Nepal. There are many test dates easily available in the country, the test takers/students can choose the date that is convenient for them.
IELTS in Nepal also provides test takers with the choice to choose between a Paper-based Exam or a Computer-delivered Exam. The test taker can choose any of the given formats to give the IELTS Exam, however, this facility is not available in every test center in Nepal. IELTS is divided into 4 parts they are:
IELTS Listening
In IELTS Listening, the test takers are to listen to 4 recordings voiced by Native English Speakers. Listening to the recording the test taker must answer the questions asked. The test will be conducted in 30 minutes. The ones who give a Paper-based test will be given extra 10 minutes to transfer the answers to the answer sheet. There will be a total of 40 questions and the test will get harder with each recording.
The test takers of Nepal should enhance their listening skills, listening to native people talk, for non-native English Speakers can be overwhelming and hard to comprehend. The test-takers need to practice listening to native English speakers in different accents to be fully prepared and confident that they can understand the language with ease.
For more: IELTS Listening
IELTS Reading
The IELTS Reading test will be conducted in 60 minutes and will consist of 3 Reading Passages. The test-takers will be faced with 40 questions based on the test. The IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training will be given different passages, the test takers are given the choice of either of these tests based on their requirements.
In Nepal, many students move abroad to pursue higher studies, and many test-takers take IELTS Academic than IELTS General Training. Most preparation classes also focus on IELTS Academic. The Academic will consist of comparatively more difficult Reading passages than general training. The test takers who aren’t taking the IELTS test to pursue higher education, then they need not choose IELTS Academic.
For more: IELTS Reading
IELTS Writing
The IELTS Writing like IELTS Reading is different in IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, the test taker of IELTS Academic and General will be faced with slightly different question types but the same number of questions; 2 tasks in 60 minutes. Task 2 of the writing task is an Essay question for both Academic and General, the task 1 for Academic test-takers will be to describe and explain a chart/ image provided and the General Training test takers’ task will be a letter.
The Nepali test takers must be prepared to write the answers in a formal language unlike the day-to-day language used for speaking. The language will have a different grammar structure considering it will be formal, and no slang terms should be used while responding to IELTS Writing tasks. In most cases, a new learner learns the language by learning slang terms/phrases and repeating informal languages frequently heard, but the IELTS test takers are not allowed to do so, they must write using formal languages.
For more: IELTS Writing
IELTS Speaking
IELTS Speaking consists of 3 parts and the entire test will end in about 11-14 minutes. The Speaking test will evaluate the test takers’ Spoken English, there is no limit to how many questions will be asked during the test however all the questions will prompt you to speak more.
The test will test how well you can speak English, your accent will not make much difference during the test, but your enunciation will. The test takers must enunciate words properly so that the examiner can understand their answers. The Nepali test takers are expected to speak formally, yet they can still use a few informal words that are appropriate. The test requires you to speak, you can speak as casually as you want yet try to maintain a notion of formality.
For more: IELTS Speaking
How has IELTS helped in Nepal?
Nepalese aspirants who wish to go abroad to native English-speaking countries must take the IELTS test. IELTS is widely available in the country, it is the most popular proficiency test chosen by thousands of students annually.
Nepal is a non-native English Speaking country and traveling to a native English Speaking country, one needs to prove their English Proficiency; IELTS does just that. IELTS is a test to show your English Proficiency; how you can Speak, Listen, Read, Write and Comprehend the English Language.
English is the World’s Most widely Spoken Language. Many people can speak English, but IELTS can give validation if the English you speak is up to the International Standard. IELTS has helped many students acquire Student visas and the opportunities to study abroad, and many business holders and professional workers work abroad. It has also helped many Nepalese live abroad.
IELTS has not only helped the people of Nepal to move to other countries but it has also helped many others as well. It is well known that IELTS is the most preferred Proficiency test in the country, one of the leading factors being how easily available IELTS is. IELTS test dates are conveniently/freely available to all compared to other Proficiency tests conducted in the country. Currently, IELTS provides more than 10 test dates per month.
Adding to the widely available test dates, there are many test centers available in Nepal. There are 18 test centers available in the 7 major cities of the country. The test taker/students can choose the nearest test center along with a feasible date.
There are many test IELTS preparation centers as well. These Preparation centers have helped in advocating IELTS tests as well as helping aspirants prepare for the IELTS exams.
In Nepal, the test takers can choose whether to give a traditional Paper-based IELTS Exam or to give a Computer Delivered IELTS Exam. The choice is given to the test takers to make sure they give their exam in a way they feel comfortable.
IELTS and the other English Proficiency tests
There are many other English Proficiency tests in Nepal. PTE, TOEFL, and SAT are a few of the well-heard English Proficiency tests in Nepal, yet many still choose IELTS.
Unlike other tests, IELTS provides two different test types. IELTS General and IELTS Academic, both the tests are equally competitive but different in terms of which group it targets. IELTS Academic test is an academically advanced test and is required for those who wish to pursue graduate studies or higher, the rest can choose IELTS General.
Most proficiency tests do not have different yet valid test types. IELTS test types: IELTS Academic and IELTS General are relevant and widely accepted. In Nepal, test takers for both test types are seen. Both of these types of tests are taken in Nepal.
In Nepal, IELTS cost NRS 25,300 for the Paper-Based, although the test price may seem on the higher end compared to other tests, it is still reasonable for such an advanced proficiency test.
IELTS has many test dates available every month compared to other tests where one needs to wait months for test dates. The Nepali IELTS test taker can get a test date in a few days if they are prepared.
The test centers are widely available in the country spread over 7 major cities of the country. The majority of other test testing centers are located in the Kathmandu Valley. IELTS in Nepal is easily accessible to the people and is still one of the best Proficiency tests a person can take. IELTS scores are accepted by more than 11,000 educational institutions in more than 140 countries.
IELTS also gives choice to the test takers/students to give either a paper-based test or a computer-delivered test. test-takers in Nepal have a choice to either go with the traditional way of a paper-based test or the computer-delivered test.
Importance and Benefits of IELTS in Nepal
IELTS in Nepal has been in eyes of many people who wish to go abroad. Still, there is a growing number of people who wish to go abroad. Many of them are students who want to pursue their higher education in foreign countries.
IELTS tests are highly beneficial to them. An English Proficiency is an important document when submitting a student’s documents. Taking an IELTS test will provide you with a score that proves your English Efficiency.
IELTS scores play a huge role in students getting into a good university, meaning higher scores open doors for more universities. The scores will also help you get scholarships in universities.
IELTS scores are not only important to students but are also important to many others and have been beneficial to the people who are aspiring to go abroad. The test plays a huge role in the lives of people from non-native English-speaking countries like Nepal to go abroad.
The target group for IELTS
IELTS plays a huge role for people who want to go abroad to an English-speaking country from a non-English speaking country. Nepal’s native language is Nepali and people from Nepal will need to take IELTS to go abroad to a native English-speaking country.
Thus, IELTS is needed for a specific group of people. The target group of IELTS are students who wish to study abroad, business owners who want to expand business internationally, professionals who are seeking jobs abroad, and people who want to migrate.
IELTS can be taken by anyone above the age of 16.
Problems with IELTS in Nepal
IELTS is a well-sought English Proficiency test in Nepal despite having few problems with the test.
- IELTS Speaking test is still done in person despite choosing a computer-delivered test.
- The speaking test usually is taken on a different day than the rest of the test. Thus, it takes a longer time to complete.
- Additionally, the results take longer than those of some other tests. The test results also take longer than a few other tests. The test results are available 13 days after the test date.
- The test is on the expensive side, the IELTS test cost NPR 25,300. Not everyone can afford this rate for a test in Nepal.
- The test centers are only easily accessible in a few major cities of Nepal. The people residing in other parts of the country will have to travel far to take the IELTS test in the country.
- IELTS preparation centers are found clustered near the test centers but there are fewer test centers in the rural parts of the country.
- There are two different test types but people are still confused about which test is targeted to what group of people. The people are unaware of the test types due to less advocation of the test types in Nepal.
Challenges and Precautions for IELTS
The IELTS test is a complicated test, although it is a test to test your English, it is not a simple English test, it is an English Proficiency test testing your English skills. There are things you should consider before taking an IELTS test. The test takers must have a passport to give an IELTS test.
To give an IELTS test, the test takers/students are should be well versed in English before the test. In Nepal, we see many test-takers seeking a test date in a hurry without much preparation. The test takers are faced with the challenge of less preparation and knowledge about IELTS. People also have limited knowledge about test types, format, question types, and scoring of IELTS.
So, the test takers/students must have a passport and a well-thought plan before taking an IELTS test. Get enough preparation and avoid choosing the date in a hurry. The test taker might get lower scores if they hurry their plans, but if the test taker is in a hurry prepare properly with a Preparation class and mock test to help you prepare for the test quickly.
On the day of the test, make sure to arrive at the test center on time and follow the instructions mentioned in the Test Takers information part of the application form. Carry the identification documents you received when you registered for the test, or else you will not be permitted to sit for the test. These are a few challenges faced by Nepalese when taking an IELTS test along with the precautions to avoid them.
We hope that this Gurubaa blog “IELTS in Nepal” briefly explains the situation of IELTS in Nepal and IELTS dates in Nepal. Thank you for visiting this blog. If you wish to know more about IELTS, please visit our other blogs on IELTS.
