My first IELTS

I took an examination of International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

This is one of the international examinations which assess the skill of the English language, similar to TOEFL. IELTS is well known in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, but not so famous as TOEFL.

The examination includes four sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
Each section resembles one of TOEFL. However, it is a big difference that an expert examiner is an opponent to the examinee in a speaking section in IELTS. In contrast, in TOEFL iBT, you have to record your speaking voice via a microphone replying to each question. In IELTS, the examiner encourages you to make an answer for each question. So I could enjoy the conversation.

I was annoyed by the environment of IELTS. Application was complicated compared to TOEFL. The regulation of this exam was so strict that I was not allowed to possess my purse in the test room.

Actually, I could not sleep well in the day before. It might influence on my performance. My score was so bad. I heard that most examinees feel that a reading section is the most difficult. However, the result was that only the reading score was satisfactory.

Every examination has its own characteristic. It often occurs that an examination fails to assess the exact ability of an examinee. But at least in language examinations, I am assessed precisely in every time. I have to make more efforts to improve my English skill.