Whether you’re thinking of emigrating to an English-speaking country or studying abroad, the IELTS exam might be the first name that comes to your mind. It is a widely accepted and popular test for verifying English language ability.However, cracking it needs a proper strategy, and the first step towards it is to understand the IELTS syllabus. To ace and score high on the IELTS exam, applicants must prepare well for the IELTS exam syllabus which has been discussed in detail in this article.
The IELTS exam syllabus contains four sections: writing, reading, listening, and speaking. For both the academic and general test versions, the listening and speaking sections will be the same while the reading and writing sections will be different.
IELTS Exam Pattern 2024
Those planning to take either of the IELTS exams – Academic or General Training can understand in detail the IELTS exam pattern in the following table:
| IELTS Test Sections | IELTS Academic | IELTS General Training | Time Allocated |
| IELTS Listening | 4 parts are tested and there are 40 questions | 30 minutes | |
| IELTS Reading | 3 passages, 40 questions | Multiple texts, 40 questions | 60 minutes |
| IELTS Writing | Task 1: Report WritingTask 2: Essay | Task 1: Write a letterTask 2: Essay | 60 minutes |
| IELTS Speaking | Part 1: Introduction and InterviewPart 2: Individual long turn / task cardPart 3: Discussion | 11-14 minutes | |
IELTS Reading Exam
The IELTS reading section contains three texts of general interest topics which test students who wish to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The candidates are required to answer from three passages or sections with 40 questions that need to be completed in 60 minutes. In this test, a wide range of reading skills are tested:
- Skimming: Reading quickly to grasp the main idea.
- Scanning: Rapid reading to find specific information.
- Reading for detail: Comprehending a logical argument, opinions, attitudes, and the writer’s purpose.
Syllabus
The IELTS Reading test is different for both academic reading and general reading.
Reading Syllabus for IELTS Academic
In the IELTS Academic training test, the multiple texts come from books, journals, magazines, newspapers and online resources, which is of general interest to students. The texts can be narrative, descriptive or discursive/argumentative or contain non-verbal materials such as diagrams, graphs, or illustrations.
Reading Syllabus for IELTS General Training
This format is comparatively easier than IELTS Academic. The first section of the test focuses on everyday information from notices and advertisements; section 2 covers work topics like job descriptions and contracts; section 3 deals with general interest topics like any descriptive article taken from newspapers, magazines, company guidelines, advertisements or books in the general IELTS syllabus.
Question Types
- Multiple Choice
- Identifying Information
- Identifying writer’s views/claims
- Matching Information
- Matching Headings
- Matching Features
- Matching Sentence Endings
- Sentence Completion
- Summary, note, table, flow-chart completion
- Diagram Label Completion
- Short-answer Questions
Scoring Pattern
The IELTS Reading exam is scored on a band scale of 1-9, with 9 being the highest. Each correct answer earns 1 mark; and there’s no negative marking. To score well in this IELTS Reading section, candidates must practice reading and understanding the long-form text. Moreover, they should also be able to manage their time effectively.
IELTS Listening Exam
The IELTS Listening section assesses the candidates’ attention to detail and ability to comprehend spoken English across various contexts and scenarios. Four recordings, comprising social, environmental, and educational themes, each lasting three minutes, are played, followed by 40 questions.
Syllabus
The listening part of the syllabus is divided into four sections. Within each section, there will be 10 questions, adding up to 40 questions. You’ll have 30 minutes to complete this section, and an additional 10 minutes will be given for transferring your answers to the answer sheet.
The audio contains a range of accents that can be played only once. The conversions could be dialogue or monologue and the duration of each conversation will be 3 minutes. The four recordings you need to listen to are:
- Recording 1: Two people discussing every social context.
- Recording 2: A monologue based on an everyday social context.
- Recording 3: Four people discussing an educational or training context.
- Recording 4: A monologue based on an academic subject.
Question Types
- Multiple Choice Questions
- Matching
- Plan, Map and Diagram Labeling
- Sentence Completion
- Form, Note, Table, Flow- chart, Summary Completion
Scoring Pattern
In the IELTS Listening exam, your performance is assessed based on the number of correct answers you provide. Each correct answer earns 1 mark, and there is no negative marking for incorrect answers. The raw score (out of 40) is then converted into a band score on a scale from 1 to 9. To improve your score, candidates must learn techniques and practice strategies to excel in IELTS listening, like being attentive as recording is played only once and understand different accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand and North American.
IELTS Writing Exam
The IELTS Writing section, the first section of the IELTS examination journey, contains two tasks designed to evaluate candidates’ ability to express themselves effectively in the written format, with a focus on grammar, vocabulary, and coherence. Total 60 minutes divided into 2 tasks. You have 20 minutes to complete Task 1 and 40 minutes for Task 2.
Syllabus
Like the IELTS reading section, the writing section also differs for general and academic IELTS text. It includes two tasks in the IELTS syllabus. Whether it’s IELTS Academic or General Training, the writing section’s duration, word limit, and marking criteria are the same.
Writing Section for Academic
- Writing Task 1 requires you to explain or summarize visual data, like a graph or chart, using your own words. Aim to write a minimum of 150 words within a 20-minute timeframe. You must write at least 150 words and will be penalized if your answer is too short.
- In writing task 2, you need to write a 250-word essay in about 40 minutes; providing your viewpoint and opinion for the given point of view, argument or problem.
Writing Section for General Training
- For IELTS Writing Task 1, you’ll get 20 minutes to write at least 150 words. In the General training version, you’ll write a letter. The tone might be formal, semi-formal, or informal, depending on the specific scenario presented in the task.
- For IELTS Writing Task 2, you’ll have at least 40 minutes to write at least 250 words. In the General Training version, you’ll respond to an argument or point of view with an essay. The tone is generally more formal.
Question Types
- Agree/disagree
- Advantages/disadvantages
- Cause/solution
- Two-part questions
- Discuss both sides of a question
Scoring Pattern
The two IELTS writing assignments are graded separately by two distinct examiners on a scale of 1 to 9 based on four key criteria:
- Task Achievement / Task Response
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Each of these criteria contributes 25% to the final Writing band score. The arithmetic mean of all four criteria is used to determine the IELTS Speaking Score. Usually, Task 2 holds more weight (2/3) than Task 1 (1/3). To excel in the IELTS Writing section, focus on delivering a clear and well-structured essay with accurate grammar and varied vocabulary. You should be able to present your ideas logically and support them with examples and evidence.
IELTS Speaking Exam
The IELTS Speaking section is relatively straightforward and tests the communication skills of the candidates in the English language. There are three parts i.e., a Personal Interview, Long turn, and a Discussion. The total time for the listening section is 11-14 minutes.
Syllabus
The IELTS Speaking test format will be the same for both academic and general training tests. The test will be conducted for 11-14 minutes and recorded for evaluation. It will be a face-to-face conversation between you and the examiner that includes three parts.
- Part 1: Introductory questions
In these 4 to 5 minutes, candidates will be asked to introduce themselves. Then you will be asked questions related to general topics like hobbies, home, family, work, and studies. The examiner will analyze your communication, sentence structure, word usage, and vocabulary.
- Part 2: Cue Card
The Cue Card session is conducted for 3-4 minutes including a 1-minute preparation time. The examiner will give a cue card and ask you to talk about a particular topic. You need to include key points to talk about and explain one aspect of the topic. After completing the speech, candidates may be asked 1 or 2 questions about the topic. In the task card, you’ll be instructed on the points that you need and need not follow. The test will focus on analyzing your language and organizing ideas coherently.
- Part 3: Follow-up questions
Speaking part 3 is a discussion round where you’ll be asked follow-up questions for the discussed topic in part 2. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. Speaking part 3 will last for 5-6 minutes.
Question Types
- Personal questions (Part 1)
- Topic-based presentation (Part 2)
- Follow-up discussion (Part 3)
Scoring Pattern
The IELTS Speaking exam is scored on four key criteria: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource (Vocabulary), Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. Each of these components is graded on a scale from 1 to 9. The final speaking band score is an average of these four scores, reflecting the candidate’s overall speaking ability. To master the IELTS Speaking section, you must practice speaking English fluently over various IELTS speaking topics and have amazing confidence along with great language skills.
Conclusion
IELTS is a crucial step to turn your dream of studying abroad, living in foreign states, or getting work visas into reality. Understanding the format and specific skills required for each section of the IELTS exam is crucial for success. By familiarizing yourself with the test structure, question types, and scoring criteria, you can effectively target your preparation. Knowing the IELTS syllabus comprehensively will enable candidates to approach the test with confidence and clarity. Thorough and consistent practice across all four sections—Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking—will greatly improve your chances of achieving your desired score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IELTS very difficult?
To begin with how hard IELTS is, it totally depends on the test-taker’s preparation. IELTS has some difficulty levels, as it covers multiple sections and skills. But it’s not difficult to pass, especially if you are strong in English. With practice and proper preparation, you can score in the exam. The test can be difficult if you come unprepared on the examination day. So, proper IELTS test preparation is important to tackle the difficulty of IELTS.
How can I prepare for IELTS at home?
Preparing for IELTS at home can be both flexible and effective if approached with the right plan. Start by familiarizing yourself with the test format and focusing on each section. To practice consistently, you can prepare for IELTS at home with online resources that are available on the internet. Set a study schedule, take timed mock tests, and use language apps to build your vocabulary and fluency.
What is the IELTS pass score?
There is no official “pass” score for the IELTS exam. It uses a band score system ranging from 0 to 9, where 1 is the lowest score and 9 is the highest band score. The score you need depends on the requirements of the institution or organization you are applying to. For example, universities typically require a minimum score of 6.0 to 7.5, while immigration programs may have different requirements.
