Which grade is best for taking the IELTS exam? 7 or 11?

Studying and obtaining the IELTS certificate is one of many educational goals that students and learners aim for. However, with a casual approach to studying and taking the exam, few people pay attention to the essence of the IELTS certificate? Which grade is suitable for taking the IELTS exam? What is the purpose of taking the IELTS exam?

When should you start learning IELTS? Which grade should you take IELTS in?
 

1. What is the IELTS certificate?

IELTS (TRF-Test Report Form) is an English proficiency certificate assessed on a scale from 0 to 9 for reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, with 9 being the highest score. The IELTS score is an overall score for all 4 skills.

The IELTS exam is administered by three organizations: ESOL of Cambridge University, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. Test takers can choose either the IELTS Academic (academic) or IELTS General Training Module (general training).

The total duration of the 4 IELTS tests is 2 hours 45 minutes. Candidates who pass will be awarded the IELTS certificate. This certificate will be valid for 2 years from the date of issuance.

2. Which grade is best to take IELTS?

According to the context of the Vietnamese education system, the most suitable time to start learning IELTS is from grade 7 or grade 8. Students with good academic abilities, aiming for early study abroad, can start learning from grade 6. With 3 - 4 years of study and IELTS preparation, students' English listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills will be comprehensively developed.

Based on the reasoning above, it can be seen that the most suitable time to take the IELTS exam is grade 11. At this time, students are not overly pressured by the high school graduation exam approaching in grade 12. Additionally, some top universities also prioritize direct admission for candidates with an IELTS certificate. Therefore, studying and taking the IELTS exam from grade 11 onwards will bring more advantages for students.

For college students sitting in lecture halls, the best time to take the IELTS exam is in the third year of university. By this time, students have adapted to the pace of study on campus and can manage their study time. In case the exam results are not as desired, students can register for a retake to achieve better results. Since the IELTS certificate is valid for 2 years, students can include this certificate in their job applications and enhance their value.

Should high school seniors study IELTS? Which grade should IELTS be taken from?
 

3. The drawbacks of studying and taking IELTS too early.

Many parents believe that encouraging their children to study and take the ELTS certificate early is essential for their educational guidance. Many students in grades 1, 4, and 5 have been enrolled by their parents to pursue this certification.

However, according to experts, this is a misconception. This issue is explained by several reasons as follows:

- IELTS is a test of English language proficiency, focusing on learners' language reasoning skills. Therefore, the vocabulary used in IELTS reading tests is often complex and not commonly used in everyday life. At the grade 1 level, students should approach English in a way that combines learning and play to foster creative thinking when learning a new language.

- The IELTS writing test demands reasoning and critical thinking skills from test-takers. As a result, learners need to grasp vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structures to apply them effectively. Some learners, however, solely rely on memorizing new words and existing sentence structures, which ultimately leads to a loss of their ability to learn, comprehend, and use language effectively.

Mytour has provided answers regarding the appropriate grade to take the IELTS exam. While there are numerous benefits such as developing logical English thinking, gaining experience, improving test-taking skills, and increasing opportunities for studying abroad or direct admission to universities, starting IELTS preparation too early also brings several disadvantages for students' learning and experiences. Therefore, students should carefully consider their personal goals for studying and taking the IELTS exam and choose the best and most suitable time for themselves.