IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System, which is an international test designed to test the proficiency of a candidate in English language. This testing system is jointly managed by the University of Cambridge with the British Council and IDP English Pty Ltd. IELTS was launched in 1989. There are two versions of IELTS; advanced and general.

Students who want to enrol in a foreign university or an educational institution in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and in over 3,000 educational institutions in the United States have to clear the advanced test. People who are applying for immigration to the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are also required to clear the general test.

The IELTS test is scored on a scale of one to nine. One denotes no knowledge and nine denotes expert command over English language. Over 2 million people from around the globe give the IELTS test annually. In all those countries where the first language of people and students is not English, there are institutions and coaching centres that prepare students for IELTS. The IELTS test consists of four sections; reading, writing, speaking and listening. The institutions where students are taught and prepared to give the IELTS test have sample IELTS tests, which make the students practice before giving the real test.

By practicing IELTS sample tests, students get to know what to expect in the real test and this helps them to better prepare for the test. English language teaching institutions that teach and prepare for IELTS have free IELTS test samples for the students. These IELTS test samples are great resource for students who are planning to give the test. You can get an IELTS test sample for just one portion of the test or for all the four portions.

Generally, students who have gained proficiency in reading and writing English lack speaking and listening skills. The reason for this is that they speak with a native accent and cannot comprehend the different accents of English spoken in different English speaking countries. In the United Kingdom itself, people speak in many different accents.

The Welsh accent is very different from the Scottish accent. The American accent differs from the Australian and within America different accents prevail. That is why it is imperative for an English language student to be able to understand the different accents and they can only learn this by practicing to listen to an IELTS sample test of the accent spoken in the country they plan to go.

Taking and practicing sample IELTS tests is especially important for students as the educational institution where they plan to enrol may require a score of nine for IELTS. Therefore, the more they practice, the better their chances are of securing the required score. Free IELTS sample tests can also be downloaded from the internet or you can take the IELTS sample test online. People who think they are proficient in English should give an IELTS sample test so that they know what to expect; and how much time they are taking in giving each section of the test. This will help them gain more confidence in giving the actual test.

The IELTS test must not be taken lightly by anyone who plans to give this test; as their future will depend on how well they score it. Therefore, students must avail as many opportunities as they can of giving sample IELTS tests. The reading, writing and listening tests have to be given on the same day one after the other with a short break in between. The speaking test is given separately and depends on the schedule determined by the testing centre.