IELTS Exam Pattern 2025

IELTS Exam Pattern 2024

The IELTS exam pattern 2024 comprises of four sections; Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The candidates are tested on these four parameters. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS exam) has two formats namely IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training Test. IELTS Academic is accepted by universities worldwide where candidates apply for undergraduate or postgraduate courses. Candidates should check the requirement of the college/university they are applying to and then prepare accordingly. IELTS General Training is given by those who are planning to migrate to a major English-speaking nation. It can also be given by those who are shifting to a different country for work-related training. IELTS is also accepted by professional organizations that ask for English language proficiency scores from candidates whose native language is not English.

• IELTS Exam Pattern 2024
• IELTS Test Format
• FAQs about IELTS Exam Pattern

IELTS Exam Pattern 2024

Before preparing for the IELTS Exam 2024, candidates are advised to check the IELTS format and then start preparing for the test. IELTS Test Score plays a significant role in the selection criteria. IELTS is jointly owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge English Language Assessment. This exam is accepted by more than 10,000 educational institutes in more than 140 countries.

Earlier, we mentioned that the IELTS format includes different components of the exam—Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Candidates should keep in mind that the Reading, Listening, and Writing sections of the exam are tested in one sitting. However, the Speaking section can be tested either on the same day, or seven days before or after the date of examination.

IELTS Paper Pattern

In order to understand the IELTS Pattern deeply, candidates 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. Candidates have to answer different types of 40 questions.
• Reading: The reading section comprises three texts of general interest that deal with issues suitable for candidates going to pursue post-graduate or undergraduate programs. 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 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, a candidate has 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 candidates have to give a face-to-face interview. With the help of this section, the candidates are checked whether they can communicate effectively and present their 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.

IELTS Test Format - Listening

In this section, candidates listen to four recordings of native English speakers and then write their own answers to the list of questions.

• Recording 1 - a conversation between two people set in any everyday social context
• Recording 2 - a monologue set in an everyday social context
• Recording 3 - a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context
• Recording 4 - a monologue on any academic subject

Types of IELTS Listening Questions

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

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. The texts are selected from magazines, journals, newspapers, and books for those looking to enter universities.

Types of IELTS Reading Questions

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

IELTS Test Format – Writing

The topics in the Writing section are designed for test takers who are suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate programs looking to get into universities.

Task 1 - The test taker gets 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, a candidate has to write a summary of at least 150 words of a table/graph/process. On the IELTS General Training Module, in Task 1, a candidate has 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. Candidates will be asked to write an essay in response to an argument, problem, or point of view. Make sure to respond to both tasks in a formal way.

Test format – Speaking

The speaking section monitors the spoken English of the candidate. Every test is recorded.

Part 1 - The examiner will ask the test taker general questions about them and familiar topics like work, studies, or home. The first part lasts four to five minutes.

Part 2 - The test taker will be given a card that asks them about a specific topic. They 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 - The test taker will be asked questions about the topic selected in Part 2. Here, they will get the opportunity to discuss more about the ideas and issues. This part lasts for four to five minutes.

Related read:

• IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Academic: Which test you should take
• IELTS Academic vs IELTS General?

Still need more clarity? Read IELTS frequently asked questions to understand everything about the IELTS and IELTS pattern.

Understanding the IELTS Exam Pattern

Passing Band Score

The passing band score in the IELTS exam varies depending on the requirements of the institution or organization you are applying to.

Number of Test Report Forms (TRFs)

Candidates can obtain multiple Test Report Forms (TRFs) based on their requirements for sending the scores to different institutions.

Difficulty Levels in IELTS

The difficulty of the IELTS exam can vary for each individual, but typically, the Writing section is considered one of the most challenging.

Preparation Time

The amount of time needed to prepare for the IELTS exam varies for each person, but it is generally recommended to study for a few weeks to a few months.

Achieving a Good Score

Scoring well on the IELTS exam requires diligent preparation and practice. It is essential to focus on improving grammar, maintaining a logical structure, minimizing spelling errors, and ensuring consistency in presenting ideas.

Tips for IELTS Writing Section

• Focus on improving grammar
• Have a logical and concrete structure
• Make fewer spelling mistakes
• Ensure consistency in the ideas you are presenting