TPS - IELTS Exam Prep in Vancouver, BC

For those who reside in Vancouver, this page is designed to give information on finding a tutor, the exam, self-study, and test registration. Vancouver has many study opportunities for IELTS preparation, but it is important to understand the IELTS test. Here are a few issues to consider:

Issues to Consider

1) The IELTS test has a speaking exam, which means it is best to listen to guided speaking through tutorials. It composes of two writing tasks, and the scoring system can be quite strict, so trying to self-study the writing task is quite tough.

2) They offer the test in many locations. However, it is an expensive test so if you keep taking it every 3 weeks you may be losing a lot of money. Nevertheless, it is an advantage of IELTS over others in that you can register for the test at almost any point of the year. You may have to take it outside as Vancouver test centers can book up quickly.

3) IELTS has many sections within its reading and listening parts so it is best to understand them before you take classes because then you can work more quickly on practice tests, skills, and strategies. Be sure to let the tutor know your previous experience with the IELTS test if you have taken it before.

4) It is rare that your skills for all 4 sections will be exactly the same so you need to find out quickly your strengths and weaknesses to help you and your tutor develop the best program.

Online Tutoring

If you want the optimum efficiency in your studies and a tailor-made program around your schedule then check out the IELTS tutor Vancouver page to see what is open.  You can contact us at 613 447 1622 or send us an email at [email protected].

Taking Classes in Addition to Tutorials

Many students like to combine tutorials with group classes at training centers. TPS encourages this and believes combining tutorials and group classes can be very beneficial. The best centers for IELTS training in Vancouver tend to be in larger institutions such as colleges and universities but not always. There are also an increasing number of language schools and learning centers in Vancouver but be careful of the quality. Some of them offer long trial lessons but pressure you to sign up and hold back on the most important parts of the course until you do.  They will take in students at any time and often teach you language points general to any ESL program without a much real focus on the exam itself. A drawback is that they have fixed entry dates and may try to low-ball your actual level to encourage you to stay longer.

Self Studying IELTS in Vancouver

Self-study resources are easy to obtain. Try the public libraries in the Vancouver area (for example, the) The IELTS test has not significantly changed since 2001. For books I would suggest heading to University of British Columbia  bookstore or to Octopus Books. YouTube offers a number of presentations on IELTS. The best are IELTS Official, IELTS with Emma, and Passport to English.

If you are looking for online information, browse through our IELTS exam page for free information on study tips that include strategies, skills and topics and information on recent exams. I have also posted links for free practice exams in the listening and reading tests and free practice exams in speaking and writing where you can even take a mock test and recieve a score for free. There are external links to other blogs such as the official IELTS Practice Site , IELTS Essentials, IELTS British Council and IELTS Blog.

Test Taking Centers

There are many options for you if you are planning to take the IELTS test in the Vancouver or Lower Mainland area. Check locations and dates and times of IELTS in Vancouver, but you can also look up other areas  or the many IELTS test centers in Seattle . There are also now a growing number of sites such as IELTS Blog that archive tests around the world based on feedback from test takers.

Vancouver Universities and Colleges Requirements for IELTS

There are different standards for different educational institutions in Vancouver and different requirements in different departments in UBC at the graduate and post-graduate level. For a full list of program IELTS requirements, click onto the undergraduate and graduate links below

                                    University of British Columbia  (UBC)
Undergraduate programs                                                               6.5, with no part less than 6.0
Graduate Programs
Graduate MBA                                                                                    7.0 with no part less than 7
Graduate Engineering Physics                                                        6.5 with no part less than 6
Master of Science Physics & Chemistry                                       6.5 with no part less than 6
Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology      7.5 with no part less than 7
Master of Science in Computer Science                                      7.0 with no part less than 6.5

                                     Simon Fraser University (SFU)
Undergraduate                                                                                   6.5, with no part less than 6.0
Graduate Programs                                                                            7.0 with no part less than 6.5

                                     Langara College
IELTS Academic(a,b,c)                                                           6.5 (No Band Lower Than 6.0)

                             Douglas College                                        
English Proficiency Admission (IELTS)                               6.5


                             Vancouver Community College
External Language Test  (IELTS)                                                           Not determined. Depends on program and English instruction                              

                   
                             Capilano University
English Language Requirement for IELTS                       Required minimum mark: 6.5 overall, with no single score below 6
     
                           
                            Emily Carr University of Arts & Design
English Proficiency Requirement                                     Minimum band 6.5, with no component less than 6.0
                           
                            Kwantlen Polytechnic University
English Proficiency Requirement                            Overall band of 6.5 or higher,  at least 6.0 in each band, taken within the last 2 years