Are you itching to travel abroad? Do you dream of working or studying in another English-speaking country? Certifying your English proficiency is great to put on your résumé, or even a necessity to apply for a visa. The IELTS is one of the most widely recognized tests of English available and is an essential step if you’re planning on moving abroad.
This article will go over the basics of the IELTS test, where you can take the test in the Atlanta area, and how to prepare for the IELTS effectively.
Get everything you need to know at a glance about taking the IELTS test in Atlanta and you’ll be prepared to ace the test and start your international adventure with GlobalExam.
What Is the IELTS Exam and What Does It Aim to Test?
You have surely heard of the TOEIC and TOEFL English tests, so what makes the IELTS different? The IELTS is required to study or move to English-speaking countries besides the United States. It focuses more on British English rather than American English and is a requirement if you want to get a study or stay visa in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada. It may be required by other organizations, and in any case, is a great reference to include on your CV.
There are two versions of the test: Academic and General. As the name suggests, the Academic IELTS focuses more on materials you would encounter in an educational setting, while the General IELTS uses more everyday situations. If you’re taking the IELTS test for college admission or visa purposes, be sure to verify with your sponsoring organization or admissions office to see which version you should be taking. Then, be sure that the testing location you have chosen offers the test you need!
Both versions of the IELTS test covers all four language skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
IELTS Atlanta: How Many Test Centers Exist and Where Are They?
There is currently one location where the IELTS test is administered in Atlanta, so it’s easy to remember!
Testing is available at TALK Atlanta, a language school located in the impressive Silhouette building in the heart of midtown Atlanta.
| TALK Atlanta | 1447 Peachtree St., Suite 100, Atlanta GA 30309 | IELTS Academic and General Training | [email protected] |
The good news is that the TALK test centre is accessible by public transportation. The MARTA bus stops just in front of the school, and the Arts Center subway station is nearby. TALK is a modern facility, so please feel free to ask about accommodations for test-takers with special needs (braille material, amplified sound, etc.).
TALK offers test dates every month (up to three dates), and you will not need to return to the center for your speaking exam because your interview will take place on the same day as your main test and is scheduled in the afternoon from 1 – 6 pm.
IELTS Testing centers oversee the local administration of the test and recruit, train, and monitor IELTS examiners. In turn, the testing centers are accredited by the British Council to administer the IELTS tests in each jurisdiction in the USA, including Atlanta.
What Are Other Places Nearby Georgia Where You Can Take the IELTS?
Georgia has only one test center that offers IELTS dates, but other states surrounding Georgia offer Academic and General Training IELTS dates. Outside of Atlanta, IELTS testing locations exist also in Greenville (South Carolina), Montgomery (Alabama), and Murfreesboro (Tennessee). Whether you would like to take the Academic IELTS or General Training, test centers in these locations offer both versions in paper-based and computer-delivered formats.
Make sure you contact the test center to confirm the fees and the address for your IELTS exam.
| Auburn University at Montgomery | 7430 East Drive, Montgomery AL 36117 | IELTS Academic and General Training | Tel: + 1 334 244 3129 Email: [email protected] |
| ELS Language Centers Clemson-Greenville | 225 S Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville, SC 29607, USA | IELTS Academic and General Training | Tel: + 1 864 233 1025 Email: [email protected] |
| ELS Language Centers Nashville-Murfreesboro | 820 Fairview Ave, Murfreesboro, TN 37130, USA | IELTS Academic and General Training | Tel: + 1 615 898 2637 Email: [email protected] |
Other Main IELTS Test Centers in the United States
We made a list of other numerous cities for the IELTS USA where you can take the test:
- NYC
- Seattle
- Boston
- Dallas
- Houston
- Denver
- Tampa
- Charlotte
- San Francisco
- San Diego
- Indianapolis
- Pittsburg
- Phoenix
- Arizona
- Newark
- Chicago
- Austin
- Portland
What Is the Best Way to Register for the IELTS in Atlanta?
Because it is a requirement by the British immigration authorities, the IELTS is managed exclusively by the British Council; their website is where you will need to register for the test.
On the homepage, click “Take an exam,” then “IELTS,” then choose a date and location, in this case, Atlanta. Finally, select if you want to sign up for the Academic or General Training version of the test.
The IELTS is given about every two weeks, generally on Saturday. You can choose whichever date is best for you and even whichever location is best for you! This means you can take the IELTS in Atlanta whether you live here or are just passing through. The most important thing is to register and book a seat well in advance.
IELTS Atlanta: How Much Does It Cost to Take the Exam?
The test fee varies depending on the administering location but is between $215 and $310. Of course, you may retake the test as many times as you want if you aren’t satisfied with your initial score, but to make the most of your time and to save money, you should strive to meet your target score the first time with proper preparation.
You can expect to receive the test results and the Test Report Form (TRF) within 13 days of taking the complete test. You can either collect them in person from the testing center or receive your score in the mail.
Tips and Tricks That Will Help You Score High on the Exam
Do you wish to succeed on your exam? Well, here are some tips and tricks that will allow you to answer the questions more effectively in all sections of the test.
Listening Section
- Try to predict what you will hear in the recording before you listen: is it a name? an address? a number?
- Check your spelling after you have written your answers.
- Pay attention to distractors that are there to confuse you.
- Listen to the various English accents (American, Australian, British, etc.) so that you’d become more familiar with them before the test.
Reading Section
- Read the topic sentence (the first sentence of a paragraph) of each paragraph, read the questions, and then look for the information you need in the relevant paragraph.
- If reading topic sentences is not sufficient, skim through the whole passage to find what you need.
- Pay close attention to keywords, such as adjectives and linkers.
Writing Section
- Carefully study any type of graph or chart you are given and focus on the main changes of the figure (Academic Writing).
- Don’t leave out any information and answer all the questions you are asked in the writing section. Check if you have answered the whole task at the end of your writing.
- Managing your time properly is crucial, and you should take more time answering Task 2, as it is worth twice as many points as Task 1.
- Your essay should be divided into several paragraphs in which your introduction, body paragraphs, and your conclusion are easily identified.
Speaking Section
- Arriving early at your test (especially if it’s on another day than your main test) is important so that you will have some time to relax and not hurry before your interview.
- Do not learn anything by heart, because your examiner will know if you have prepared a speech.
- Listen carefully to the examiner’s questions, because they will determine the tenses you need to use in your answer.
Lastly, all sections (except the Speaking Section) indicate the number of words you need for your answer, so make sure you follow the instructions.
Prepare for the IELTS Test Peacefully With GlobalExam
On the GlobalExam’s platform you will get access to a complete preparation program, including the “Training Mode” with 45 hours of revision, dozens of practice exercises, and over 1,200 questions ranked according to difficulty.
There’s the “Exam Mode,” where you take one of five mock IELTS tests so you can get a feel for the pressures and timing of the real IELTS before the day of the test. We’ll also correct your listening and reading sections automatically so you’ll know where your strong and weak areas lie.
Ultimately, preparing for the IELTS test is an ongoing, personal process that depends on improving your overall English skills. GlobalExam also offers general language development on top of test-taking tips and strategies for the IELTS format. You even have a personal statistics function that can track your progress as you train.
Visit GlobalExam and start your free trial, which will include the equivalent of a full mock IELTS when you sign up. Let your IELTS journey start with GlobalExam and we’ll be sure you have all the tools to reach your target score and ace your IELTS test!
