For DEK70 students preparing to apply through the TCAS70 Portfolio Round , especially for international programmes or programmes with English-language requirements, IELTS may be an important part of your application.
What IELTS score do you need? When should you take the test? How should you submit your results? And how can you make sure your score is ready before the application deadline?
Here are the key things to know before you apply.
First, not every faculty or programme requires IELTS .
However, some programmes may use an English proficiency score as an entry requirement or as part of their admissions criteria, particularly programmes taught in English.
Before preparing for the test, check the official admission requirements for your target programme:
Is IELTS accepted? â Which IELTS test? â What score is required? â Is there a minimum score for each skill?
Do not prepare based on the score that other applicants say is âusually enoughâ. Requirements can vary between universities, faculties and programmes.
There is no single IELTS score required by every programme.
For example, imagine your target programme requires:
IELTS Overall 6.5, with no skill below 6.0
An Overall Band Score of 6.5 would not be enough if one of your individual skills was below 6.0.
Before starting your IELTS preparation, create a simple Target Score Plan :
Dream Programme â IELTS Requirement â Current Score â Score Gap
Target: 6.5 Current Mock Score: 5.5 Score Gap: +1.0 Band
Once you know the gap, you can plan your preparation around what you actually need to improve.
Do not wait until the application deadline is approaching.
Start with your Portfolio application deadline and work backwards :
Preparation â First IELTS Test â Retake Buffer â Final Score â Portfolio Deadline
IELTS on Computer results are generally available within 1â5 days , but your plan should also allow time to prepare your application documents and, importantly, another opportunity to take the test if your first result does not meet your target.
Think of it this way:
Your first attempt should not be your last chance.
Once you know the application deadline for your target programme, start building your IELTS timeline around it.
This depends on the requirements of the university or programme you are applying to .
IELTS results may be available through a printed Test Report Form (TRF) or an electronic eTRF , while institutions may have their own procedures for receiving and verifying scores.
âIs a PDF or hard copy better?â
âHow does my target programme require IELTS results to be submitted?â
Always follow the instructions in the official admissions announcement and check the required submission method before the deadline.
â Check the IELTS requirement for your faculty and programme.
â Check the required Overall Band Score and minimum score per skill , if applicable.
â Plan your test date backwards from the application deadline.
â Leave enough time for a possible retake if your first score does not meet your target.
â Check how your university requires IELTS results to be submitted.
Also check whether your IELTS result will still be valid when you apply. The current article notes that IELTS results are generally considered valid for two years.
DEK70: Don't let the deadline make the plan for you
Your Portfolio, IELTS, Personal Statement and Interview preparation should not all be left until the final weeks before applications close.
Start with your Dream Programme .
Find out what you already have, what you still need, and how much time you have to close the gap.
Know Your Requirements â Set Your Target â Plan Your Test â Build Your Portfolio
The goal is not simply to have an IELTS score .
The goal is to have the right score, ready when you need it.