More and more Cambodians are learning English as part of their studies so that they can have the opportunity to study abroad at an overseas college or university. But how can students know if their English is good enough to apply for a place at a foreign education institution?

One of the most popular and effective ways to demonstrate the English language proficiency required to successfully apply for studying abroad is the IELTS test.  The IELTS test is truly global – over 1.9 million tests were taken in 2012, and there are 7,000 recognising organisations worldwide, including more than 3,000 US institutions and programs.

Anything so large and popular is bound to create some misunderstandings so Knowledge Corner is here to help bust some IELTS Myths and Legends starting with the most common!

IELTS is too difficult!

IELTS is no more difficult than any other exam. The questions are straightforward and designed to assess how well you can use your English – not to trick you or test your opinions. As with any exam, IELTS requires thorough preparation.

Also, remember that there is no pass or fail in IELTS. The results are reported on a 9-band scale (1 being the lowest, 9 being the highest). This scale has remained consistent for over 20 years.

The score you need is determined by the requirements of your visa or the institution/ organisation to which you are applying. Always remember to check what score you need before you take the test.

If I smile and make the examiner laugh in my Speaking test, I may get a better mark.

Smiling can help you feel relaxed which in turn might help you perform better. Every examiner is trained and monitored closely to be fair to every candidate and assess your level of English only. Thwe examiners will not give you more or fewer marks if you are smiling and laughing.

If the opinions I express in my Writing or Speaking test are different to the examiner, I might lose marks.

In your Writing and Speaking test, there are no right or wrong opinions. The examiner is assessing how well you can use your English to report information and express ideas.

 IELTS is harder than other English tests.

Thousands of educational institutions, employers, and professional registration bodies accept IELTS because it is a high quality and fair test. This is why IELTS is also accepted by more governments for migration purposes than any other test. The institution/organisation you are applying to will determine what level of English you need.

So there you have it – some common IELTS Myths and Legends Busted. Knowledge Corner will bust some more English language legends in the future!