IELTS: Exam Pattern and Test Format | How To Prepare For IELTS PDF Download

The IELTS exam is divided into two main formats: Academic and General Training. If you're planning to study in an English-speaking country, it's crucial to understand the IELTS pattern before signing up.
The IELTS test comprises four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The British Council and IDP jointly own and design the IELTS exam pattern to evaluate candidates' English communication skills for those intending to study or work abroad.
The entire IELTS test takes 2 hours and 45 minutes. Both Academic and General Training versions share the Listening and Speaking modules. However, there are differences in the Reading and Writing modules between the two versions.

IELTS Exam Pattern

The exam is divided into four sections that check your proficiency in the English language. These sections are reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

You need to work on all aspects of the English language to get a good IELTS exam score. The table below highlights the exam pattern and discusses the topics and the time allotted to attempt each of the sections:

IELTS Syllabus

In order to understand the IELTS Pattern deeply, you should also know the IELTS Syllabus. IELTS Syllabus includes different sections, Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The complete test duration is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

• Listening: The total length of this section is 30 minutes and it is divided into four parts. You have to answer different types of 40 questions.
• Reading: The reading section comprises three texts of general interest that deals with issues that are suitable for candidates going to pursue post-graduate or undergraduate program. The total time for this section is 60 minutes and it comprises almost 40 questions.
• Writing: The duration of this section is 60 minutes and it comprises of two tasks. In Task 1, a candidate has to write a summary based on a graph/table/process in at least 150 words. In Task 2, you have to write a discursive essay of at least 250 words.
• Speaking: The total time of this section varies from 11 to 14 minutes in which you have to give a face-to-face interview. With the help of this section, you are checked whether you can communicate effectively and present your ideas coherently in English.

IELTS Test Format

There are two types of IELTS - Academic and General Training. All test takers take the same Listening and Speaking tests but different Reading and Writing tests. You need to prepare for the right type of test.

1. IELTS Test Format - Listening

This section is designed to assess the listening skills of the candidates. It includes assessment of their understanding of main ideas and specific factual information, recognition of the opinions, attitudes, and purpose of the speaker, and following the development of an argument.
As part of the test pattern of IDP IELTS, candidates have to answer a series of questions in writing after listening to four recordings of fluent English speakers.

• Recording 1: a discussion between two people taking place in a typical social setting.
• Recording 2: a monologue that takes place in a typical social setting, like a speech about a neighbourhood facility.
• Recording 3: a discussion between up to four people that takes place in an educational or training setting, such as when a student and a university tutor are discussing an assignment.
• Recording 4: a monologue about a subject in school, like a lecture at a university.

Types of IELTS Listening Questions

• Matching
• Multiple-choice questions
• Sentence completion
• Short answer questions

2. IELTS Test Format - Reading

The Reading section includes 40 questions that aim to test a wide range of reading skills of the test taker. These include understanding the logical argument, reading for main ideas, and reading for details. There are three long texts that range from factual and descriptive to discursive and analytical.

These texts are selected from magazines, journals, newspapers, and books for those looking to enter universities. Apart from the IELTS format, we have also given the types of IELTS Reading questions below.

Types of IELTS Reading Questions

• Identifying information
• Matching features
• Sentence completion
• Short-answer questions
• Identifying the author’s claims

3. IELTS Test Format – Writing

• Task 1 - You get 60 minutes to complete both tasks. One task is for 20 minutes and the other is for 40 minutes. On the IELTS Academic Module, in Task 1, you have to write a summary of at least 150 words of a table/graph/process. On the IELTS General Training Module, in Task 1, you have to write a letter of at least 150 words.
• Task 2 - Task 2 is the same for both Academic and General Training Modules, and involves an essay of at least 250 words. You will be asked to write an essay in a response to an argument, problem, or point of view. Make sure to give responses to both tasks in a formal way.

4. IELTS Test Format – Speaking

The speaking section monitors your spoken English. Every test is recorded.

• Part 1: The examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and familiar topics like work, studies, or home. The first part is of four to five minutes.
• Part 2: You will be given a card that asks you about a specific topic. Here, you will be given one minute to prepare before speaking for two minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the selected topic.
• Part 3: You will be asked questions about the topic selected in Part 2. Here, you will get the opportunity to discuss more the ideas and issues. This part lasts for four to five minutes.

IELTS Preparation Tips

To enhance your chances of achieving a favorable IELTS score in 2024, it's crucial to establish a consistent study routine. In addition to your daily plan, incorporating specific tips and strategies for each section is vital:

1. Speaking Section:

• Pay close attention to questions and respond directly.
• Enhance responses with relevant, relatable information.
• Maintain answer precision and relevance.
• Guard against repetition in your answers.
• Minimize grammatical errors.
• Proofread responses before submission.

2. Listening Section:

• Focus on understanding questions thoroughly.
• Distribute time effectively across all sections.
• Analyze assigned tasks promptly and mentally prepare responses.

3. Reading Section:

• Allocate time wisely for each passage.
• Comprehend questions and answer precisely.
• Avoid unnecessary repetition in your responses.

4. Writing Section:

• Manage time efficiently for task completion.
• Include relevant information in your responses.
• Steer clear of repetitive content.
• Proofread thoroughly to catch grammatical errors.
• By following these tips and incorporating them into your study routine, you'll be better equipped to excel in each section of the IELTS exam.