THE article, 'Hello, how is you feelings today?' (Oct 23), referred to some apparent 'confusion' over the scoring of the International English Language Test System (IELTS). I would like to offer some clarification.

IELTS test results are given as an overall band score and are also broken down into four skills areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

The professional bodies, employers or institutions which use the results to screen candidates are at liberty to set an overall band score (which most do) or to specify scores for each skill. Thus, if there is particular value placed on speaking and listening within a professional or academic context, then an organisation may demand a higher score in those areas.

The rigour and accuracy of the test itself is underpinned by regular and thorough monitoring and review both by the British Council and by our partners in Cambridge, so test users - candidates and recruiters - can be reassured that test results are a reliable indicator of language level.

For more information, visit www.britishcouncil.org.sg or www.ielts.org.

Roland Davies
Deputy Director
British Council

This article was first published in The Straits Times on 10 Nov, 2008.