IELTS Exam Pattern & Syllabus: Format, Types of Questions & Marking Scheme
The IELTS exam paves the way for students and working professionals to strengthen their English language skills, which are required to get admission into most of the top global academic institutions and professional bodies for employment. IELTS scores are also needed to get different immigration permits from the UK.
To get a good score on the exam, test pursuers must thoroughly understand the IELTS exam pattern and syllabus. In this blog, we have discussed the IELTS exam pattern and its format, including test content, marks and time duration, syllabus, and more.
What is IELTS?
The IELTS exam paves the way for students and working professionals to strengthen their English language skills, which are required to get admission into most of the top global academic institutions and professional bodies for employment. IELTS scores are also needed to get different immigration permits from the UK.
To get a good score on the exam, test pursuers must thoroughly understand the IELTS exam syllabus along with its pattern. In this blog, we have discussed the IELTS exam pattern and its format, including test content, marks and time duration, syllabus, and more.
Importance of IELTS Exam
After discussing what is IELTS, let’s briefly review the importance of this exam, which is worth appreciating.
Global Acceptance: The IELTS exam is globally recognised by over 12,000 academic institutions, professional bodies and government authorities for educational and employment purposes. It can provide a significant breakthrough for Indian students by enhancing their prospects.
Personal Growth: Preparation for the IELTS Exam requires a dedicated approach, and when students go through it with rigorous practice and consistent efforts, they can turn their calibre into the pro level. It helps them interact with society with great confidence. Don’t forget, practice makes a man perfect!
Unlimited Opportunities: Improvement in English language skills prepares individuals to take on opportunities with courage and confidence since it enhances their communication skills, cultural awareness and ability to thrive in diverse environments to pursue their career or employment path.
IELTS Exam Pattern & Syllabus: Types of Exams
Before understanding the IELTS exam syllabus, let’s quickly overview the types of IELTS exams. Below is the table corresponding to the different types of IELTS exams, including content, duration, format and validity.
| Type of IELTS | Content | Exam Duration | Format | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Academic English based on college/university coursework | 2 Hours 45 Minutes | Listening Writing Reading Speaking | 2 Years |
| IELTS General Training Test | Academic English based on university coursework and English used in | 2 Hours 45 Minutes | Listening Writing Reading Speaking | 2 Years |
| IELTS Life Skills | The English language is used in everyday life, such as at the workplace and in society | Varies from 16-20 minutes, depending on the level | Discussion on tasks related to: Personal details Friends Family Buying goods Work Health Leisure etc. | 2 Years |
There are three main types of IELTS exam: one for students and two for migrants:
- IELTS Academic
- IELTS General Training Test
- IELTS Life Skills for UKVI
IELTS Academic
The IELTS Academic test is for those students who are planning to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate courses in English-speaking countries such as the UK, the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, etc. The main purpose of this test is to check the vocabulary of the aspirants. The IELTS Academic evaluates the following English language skills:
- Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Reading
IELTS General Training Test
Unlike the IELTS Academic test, the IELTS General Training test is for those students who want to pursue the courses below the degree level such as diploma or certificate program in an English speaking country. This test includes questions related to everyday life, like workplace conversations, advertisements, and more on which they have to speak. It evaluates the following English language skills, e.g.,
- Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Reading
IELTS Life Skills for UKVI
This test is for individuals intending to visit or immigrate to the UK. It is available at three levels: A1, A2, and B1 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). It evaluates only speaking and listening skills. Following type of visa/permits are available on behalf of a good IELTS Life Skills score:
- Family Visa
- Extension to spouse, family, partner visa
- Permit to become a British Citizen
Also read – Best Books for IELTS
IELTS Academic Exam Pattern & Format
Below, we have provided the detailed information about the IELTS Academic exam pattern, format and curriculum to give students an idea about the nature of the exam so that they can plan their strategy accordingly.
The IELTS Academic exam pattern is divided into four sections:
- Listening section – 40 questions in 30 minutes
- Academic Reading section – 40 questions in 60 minutes
- Academic Writing section – 2 tasks in 60 minutes
- Speaking section – 3 parts in 11-14 minutes
| Sections | Questions/Task | Time Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 40 questions | 30 minutes | Answering the questions based on the recorded lecture/conversation between two native speakers |
| Academic Reading | 40 questions | 60 minutes | Reading the descriptive passages and answering the questions |
| Academic Writing | 2 tasks | 60 minutes | Written discussion on a given point of view, topic, or argument |
| Speaking | 3 parts | 11-14 minutes | Stating opinions or answers orally based on topics by having a discussion with the invigilator/examiner |
IELTS Academic Exam Pattern: Sections Breakdown
The purpose of the IELTS exam is to evaluate the aspirants’ various English language skills to certify their language expertise. These evaluation of those skills are made through four different sections, which are elaborated below:
Listening Section
Content: 4 recorded conversations
Number of questions: 40 questions in four parts (10 questions in each part)
Time Duration: 30 minutes (10 minutes extra for answer writing)
Marking: Each correct response will grant 1 mark.
- It involves listening to four recordings of conversations or speeches by native speakers.
- After each recording, the candidate is supposed to answer questions designed to assess their understanding of the ideas, details, opinions, and attitudes of the speakers.
- These recordings feature a variety of accents from native speakers, and each segment is played only once.
- It is important to note that the Listening section is the same for both the Academic and General Training versions of the test.
- The section includes conversations in everyday social situations, monologues on familiar topics, and discussions in educational settings.
Type of questions
The listening section of the IELTS exam consists of questions of the following types:
- MCQs: These questions are presented with multiple choices among which there can be only one correct answer or more than one correct answer.
- Matching: Aspirants are required to match a numbered list of items from what they hear in the listening audio to a set of options on the question paper. It assesses the ability to follow a conversation between two people and recognise relationships or connections between the facts.
- Diagram labelling/plan/map: These types of questions required to complete the labels on a plan, map, diagram. The plan, maps or diagrams may correspond to building, town and equipment etc. These questions evaluate the ability to relate the description with visual representations.
- Form/note/table/flow chart/summary completion: In these questions, aspirants are required to fill in the gaps and focus on the main opinions or ideas in the text.
- Sentence completion: The questions based on the sentence completion format require aspirants to read a set of sentences and then fill a gap in each sentence using information from the listening text. It evaluates the ability to identify the key information in a text.
- Short answer questions: In short answer questions, test takers are required to read a question after listening to the text and write a short answer in two or three points.
Reading Section
Content: 3 texts; the total text length is 2150-2750 words.
Number of questions: 40 questions in three parts
Time Duration: 60 minutes
Marking: Each correct response will grant 1 mark
- In the Reading Section of the IELTS Academic, test takers have 60 minutes to answer 40 questions that assess a wide range of reading abilities.
- These questions are crafted to gauge how well a test taker understands the main idea, key points, details, and logical reasoning presented in a passage by reading it.
- Additionally, the candidate will have to see the intention of the writer, basically his opinions.
- The questions vary to evaluate different reading strategies, including quickly scanning for information and grasping the author’s views.
Type of questions
The reading section of the IELTS Exam consists of questions of the following types:
- MCQs: In these types of questions, a test taker has to complete a sentence or answer a question by choosing the correct answer among the different options provided.
- Identifying the writer’s claim/view: Such questions are asked to identify the view of a writer whether they agree with the sentence given.
- Matching Information: These types of questions are required test takes to locate specific information within the given paragraph or text sections. They are asked to find the specific detail, example, reason, description, comparison or summary.
- Short answer questions: In these types of questions, test takes are required to answer a question in short form, in two or three points which are usually related to factual information about the text.
- Diagram labelling: In diagram labelling questions, test takers are required to complete labels on a diagram which relates to a text description.
- Summary/note/flowchart: In summary, note or flow chart type of questions, test takers are given a summary of a text and they need to complete it with information taken from the text. The summary is only one part of the passage or text.
- Sentence Completion: In these questions, aspirants are needed to complete the sentences taken from the reading text.
- Matching sentence ending: In matching sentence ending type of questions, aspirants are given the first half of a sentence based on the text which they have read earlier. They are asked to choose the right option to complete it in the best possible way.
Writing Section
Content: Tasks to communicate the idea/opinion or logic in written form.
Number of questions: 2 tasks
Time Duration: 60 minutes
- In this section of the IELTS Academic exam, students will have 60 minutes to complete two tasks.
- First task requires them to describe or summarise information in about 150 words, from a graph, table, or diagram. .
- Second task involves writing an essay in response to a given topic or issue in about 250 words.
- Both tasks need to be written formally and are relevant for those entering university or seeking professional registration.
Type of questions
The writing section of the consists of questions based on the following topics:
- Task 1: Discussion on Chart, diagram, picture, object’s photo, etc
- Task 2: Discussion on relevant issues related to general awareness.
Speaking Section
Content: Discussion between the test taker and the examiner
Number of tasks: 3 tasks
Time Duration: 11-14 minutes
- The speaking section usually lasts around 11-14 minutes, which assesses the ability to speak English fluently.
- The speaking section of the IELTS academic test consists of three parts.
- First part includes answering general questions about self and common topics like test taker’s home, family, and work. This lasts around 4-5 minutes.
- In the second part, test takers will be given a topic on a card and have a minute to prepare. Then, they have to speak about it for up to 2 minutes. The examiner might ask a couple of follow-up questions related to the same topic.
- Third part of the section consists of further questions similar to the topics in the second part where both the test taker and examiner have the chance to discuss more complex and abstract ideas. It lasts for 4-5 minutes.
Type of questions
The speaking section of the IELTS exam consists of questions based on the following topics:
- Task 1 – Introduction & Interview
Time Duration: 4-5 minutes
- Task 2 – Long Turn
Time Duration: 3-4 minutes
- Task 3 – Discussion
Time Duration: 4-5 minutes
IELTS Syllabus
Preparing for the IELTS exam does not follow a strict syllabus, but candidates can get ready by doing a few things. They should listen to different kinds of English audio, read lots of different texts, practice writing essays and reports, and talk to friends or tutor to improve their speaking. They can find plenty of helpful resources on the official IELTS website like sample questions, practice materials, and information on how to register for the test. They may need to focus on the following topics while preparing for IELTS Exam:
- Agriculture Sciences
- General Knowledge & Current Affairs
- Science & Technology
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
Skills Requirements
The IELTS exam syllabus contains general topics which evaluate the candidates on some parameters. Hence, students are required to prepare the syllabus by developing and polishing the following skills accordingly.
- Critical thinking skills
- Communication skills
- Active listening
- Observation skills
- Analytical skills
- Presentation quality
- Speaking fluency
- Listening comprehension
- Grammar
Conclusion
IELTS is considered an important English language proficiency exam that evaluates the English language skills of students and working professionals desiring to continue or initiate their careers in foreign countries. In countries like the UK, IELTS is also essential to get immigration permission. The exam is not very tough, but it requires strategic preparation to get good scores for entry into the dream institution.
Before embarking on the test prep, one should undergo the whole pattern and syllabus of the exam to understand the format and develop the required calibre to ace the test. Today, approximately 12,000 foreign institutions have accepted the IEL, establishing its worthfulness and global acceptance.
FAQs
How much is the IELTS exam fee?
The registration fee for the IELTS Academic and General Training test is INR 17,000 per head. In contrast, the registration fee for the IELTS Life Skills UKVI test is INR 17,250 per person.
How much IELTS Academic score can be considered good?
The minimum IELTS score for students depends on the country, institute, and course. However, it can vary between the 6.5 and 7.5 band range. A score of 7.0 is considered a good score to get admission into the world’s top universities.
Which IELTS section can be considered difficult?
The IELTS Exam pattern is designed to comprehensively evaluate an individual’s English language skills. Each section poses its challenges and requires specific effort and approach. However, the writing section is challenging because it often requires strong grammatical and critical thinking skills to organise the thoughts properly.
What is the eligibility criteria to appear for the IELTS Academic test?
There are no specific eligibility criteria to appear for the IELTS Academic test. However, anyone above 16 years of age can appear for the exam. There are no other particular eligibility criteria.
What is the best book to prepare for the IELTS exam?
The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS is the best book for the IELTS Academic and General Training tests. The main feature of this book is that it will help you understand the pattern of the test and practice all the types of questions asked in different sections of the examination.
If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
