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IELTS Syllabus 2024: Check Section Wise Exam Pattern for Academic and General

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Bhaskar Das

Content Writer - Study Abroad | Updated On - Dec 15, 2023

IELTS syllabus consists of four sections — Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The Writing, Reading and Listening tests of IELTS exam are conducted on the same day. Candidates have the option to take IELTS Speaking on the same day or 7 days after. IELTS Listening has 4 recordings with 40 questions. The IELTS Reading section provides a passage with 40 questions related to it. IELTS Writing and IELTS Speaking have 2 and 3 questions respectively. The total duration of IELTS test syllabus is 2 hours and 45 minutes. Candidates are scored on a scale of 0-9 and are valid for 2 years.

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The IELTS exam has two versions: Academic and General Training. Candidates who want to study abroad in universities must take the IELTS Academic. Candidates who are looking for a job, training courses or immigration purposes must opt for IELTS general.

IELTS scores are measured on the computer for reading, Writing and Listening sections. The IELTS speaking section is a face to face interview and scored by humans. The IELTS results are posted on the official website within 13 calendar days for IELTS on paper and 3  to 5 days for IELTS on computer. All the IELTS course syllabus have different question patterns and time.

IELTS Exam Syllabus

To prepare for IELTS exam, candidates must take a mock test and identify their weaknesses. IELTS exam is hard to pass for Non-native English speakers, but with good preparation, candidates can ace the IELTS exam. The sequence of IELTS Exam pattern is Listening, Reading and Writing all on the same day. The general IELTS exam pattern is different from Academic. The IELTS syllabus pattern, the exam duration and question type are provided below:

Particulars IELTS Academic Syllabus IELTS General Syllabus
Listening 4 sections and 40 Questions 30 minutes: 4 sections and 40 Questions 30 minutes:
Reading 3 sections and 40 questions 60 minutes Multiple texts and 40 questions 60 minutes
Writing Task 1 Describe data of 150 words
Task 2 Essay of 250 words 60 minutes
Task 1 Write a letter of 150 words
Task 2 Essay of 250 words 60 minutes
Speaking Background Interview Speech on Topic Discussion on Topic 11 to 14 minutes Background Interview Speech on Topic Discussion on Topic 11 to 14 minutes

IELTS Reading Syllabus

The source and types of IELTS reading questions for IELTS Academic and IELTS General exam vary. The IELTS exam syllabus and pattern for reading section of the IELTS syllabus is 40 questions linked with 3 passages in total. There are four types of questions in the IELTS Reading section of the IELTS exam. The types of questions asked in IELTS which includes multiple choice, matching, labeling, flowchart, sentence completion. Candidates get 1 mark for each correct answer in IELTS syllabus and pattern.

  • Duration: 60 Minutes
  • Number of Passage: 3
  • Number of questions: 40
Format IELTS Academic Reading Question Type IELTS General Reading Question Type
Passages 3 passages from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers Section 1: 2-3 short texts; Section 2: 2 texts; Section 3: 1 long text
Structure Factual, Descriptive and Analytical Factual, Descriptive and Analytical
Source Newspapers, Books, Journals, Research works, Company Guidelines, Advertisements, Brochures
Topics Wide-ranging subjects, such as science, history, culture, or environmental issues Section 1: Everyday social context Section 2: Workplace context Section 3: General reading texts

IELTS Reading Practice Paper

The IELTS reading sample questions will help candidates understand the IELTS online exam pattern and syllabus. The IELTS reading Academic and general sample questions are:

IELTS Reading Samples

IELTS Writing Syllabus

This section of IELTS grammar Syllabus determines the fluency of the candidate in writing a short essay. Candidates need to write a 150 word short summary. The IELTS writing syllabus has 2 parts, namely IELTS Writing Task 1 and IELTS Writing task 2. In IELTS Writing task 1, candidates need to summarize a table, graph, map, or data. In IELTS Writing Task 2 candidates need to write about the argument and their point of view. The candidates are scored on task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource and grammatical range and accuracy. The IELTS Writing task 2 is the same for both. The major differences in exam pattern for IELTS are:

Academic IELTS IELTS General Exam Pattern Key Aspects
Bars, graphs, flowcharts, diagrams, tables Letter Writing Task: formal, semi-formal, or informal Coherence, vocabulary, grammar, and appropriate tone
Essay writing task of around 250 words Essay writing task of around 250 words Ability to address the topic, Clarity, coherence, grammar, vocabulary,

IELTS Writing Practice Papers

The IELTS Writing sample questions are different for IELTS Academic and IELTS general. The list of IELTS Academic sample papers are:

IELTS Writing Samples

IELTS Listening Syllabus

IELTS coaching syllabus for the listening section is divided into four parts. Candidates will hear audio clips on social needs and education. These clips are usually dialogue or a monologue that will run for a duration of around 3 minutes. The IELTS listening test is difficult because the clips will be played only once. It is very easy for the candidates to miss any important information.

  • Audio 1: Conversion between two people in an everyday social context
  • Audio 2: A monologue set in an everyday social context
  • Audio 3: A conversation between four people regarding educational or training
  • Audio 4: A monologue on an academic subject.

The format of the IELTS Listening Test is the same for IELTS Academic and IELTS General candidates. IELTS Listening Test consists of four sections, each with 1 recording, which decides the IELTS listening score. The IELTS Listening section contains 40 questions. Candidates are given 1 mark for each correct answer. The various question types along with IELTS academic exam pattern are:

Type of Recording Number of Questions Key Aspects
Conversation between two speakers 10 Social context and everyday topics
Monologue of one speaker 10
Conversation of up to four people 10 Academic context; educational or training-related topics
Monologue of one speaker 10 Academic context; lecture or talk on an academic subject

IELTS Listening Samples

IELTS Speaking Syllabus

IELTS Speaking syllabus is the same for IELTS Academic and IELTS general tasks. The IELTS speaking test consists of three parts. In this section, the interviewer interacts with the candidate in English on various topics. This helps the interviewer understand if the candidate can speak proficiently in English or not. Candidates are scores on Fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. The examiner provides a band score from 0-9. The 3 stages of the speaking section are:

  • Part 1: General questions about the candidate’s family details, study, work, hobbies etc. This part lasts for about 4–5 minutes.
  • Part 2: Candidates are provided a flashcard with a IELTS Speaking topic written on it. They need to think for a minute and speak on the topic for 2–3 minutes.
  • Part 3: Discussion and questions are asked based on Part 2. Candidates get an opportunity to discuss more on the topic.
IELTS Speaking Task Description Time Allotted Key Aspects
Part 1 General questions about background, interests, hobbies and experiences 4-5 minutes Fluency, accuracy, vocabulary, and pronunciation
Part 2 Prompt card provides a topic. Choose and speak on a given topic for 1-2 minutes (prepare for 1 minute) 3-4 minutes Fluency, accuracy, vocabulary, pronunciation, and ability to organize thoughts and ideas
Part 3 A discussion based on the topic in Part 2 Examiner will ask questions related to the topic 4–5 minutes Fluency, accuracy, vocabulary, pronunciation, and ability to express and justify opinions

IELTS Speaking Practice Papers

The IELTS Speaking section is the same for IELTS Academic and IELTS general. The sample question papers are:

IELTS Speaking Samples

UKVI IELTS Syllabus

IELTS and IELTS for UKVI have the same format, content, scoring, and difficulty level. The UKVI IELTS syllabus is the same as IELTS. The only difference is an IELTS for UKVI test is approved by the UK Home Office for work, study, and migration purposes. The test results for IELTS UKVI is different as it shows that the candidate has taken IELTS UKVI and not normal IELTS.

IELTS Score

IELTS score is calculated on a scale of 0-9 band scores. These scores are given to the candidates based on the correct answers attempted in IELTS exam pattern and syllabus. The IELTS scores are calculated to the nearest 0.5 or the whole number. If the overall score is 6.1, the IELTS band score will be 6. If the score is 6.25, the band score will be 6.5. If the score is 6.85, the band score will be 7. The score calculations for IELTS Listening and IELTS reading sections are:

IELTS Listening IELTS Academic Reading IELTS General Reading
Correct Answer Score Correct Answer Score Correct Answer Score
39-40 9 40-39 9 40 9
37-38 8.5 38-37 8.5 39 8.5
35-36 8 36-35 8 37-38 8
32-34 7.5 34-33 7.5 36 7.5
30-31 7 32-30 7 34-35 7
26-29 6.5 29-27 6.5 32-33 6.5
23-25 6 26-23 6 30-31 6
18-22 5.5 22-19 5.5 27-29 5.5
16-17 5 18-15 5 23-26 5

IELTS Syllabus Preparation Tips

There are many IELTS preparation tests available online which the candidates can take. This will help them prepare better for the IELTS Exam. Candidates can prepare for IELTS by themselves by practicing IELTS questions and solving sample question papers. Practicing more is the main mantra of clearing IELTS with great scores. Candidates can read newspapers, watch English movies and learn to speak, create a study plan and follow that and many more. Few more tips for IELTS preparation at home are:

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IELTS syllabus consists of four parts. Candidates need to practice all the IELTS sections to perform well in the IELTS exam. The preparation tips and books available online will guide the candidates to a better IELTS band score.

FAQs

Ques. What are the subjects for IELTS?

Ans. There are four subjects for IELTS: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. There are two different IELTS modules: Academic and General Training. Candidates can take IELTS Academic or IELTS general, depending on their requirement.

Ques. Can I crack the IELTS in 3 months?

Ans. Yes, candidates can crack the IELTS exam in just three months with practice. Candidates must be aware of the topics and practice hard to clear IELTS in three months.

Ques. Is IELTS tough for Indian students?

Ans. IELTS is a tough exam for Indian students. However, candidates can clear the IELTS exam with correct training and practice. Students must note that the accent does not play a part in the IELTS exam.

Ques. Is 7.5 IELTS easy?

Ans. Getting a 7.5 IELTS score is not easy, but it is not that impossible as well. Candidates can secure a score of 7.5 and higher with dedication and practice. They need to have a Preparation. If one is well-prepared, one will indeed score 7.5 IELTS overall.

Ques. What is eligibility for IELTS?

Ans. The eligibility for the IELTS exam in India and across the globe is that a candidate needs to be at least 16 years old. Anybody aged 16 or above can take this examination, irrespective of their gender, nationality, or background.

Ques. Is 7 easy to get IELTS?

Ans. Getting 7 or above in the IELTS exam is not an easy task. Students must start by understanding the pattern and syllabus of the exam. Once this is done, they must practice from different official books and websites.

Ques. What are IELTS exam fees?

Ans. The IELTS exam fee is INR 16500 every time candidates register for the exam. This is the registration fee and does not include college or university fees.

Ques. Is 6.5 easy in IELTS?

Ans. Yes, getting 6.5 in IELTS is moderately easy. Candidates with a grasp over the English language can get 6.5 with practice. Extensive practice, determination, hard work, and perseverance will help candidates score more in IELTS.

Ques. Can I prepare IELTS by myself?

Ans. Yes, one can prepare for IELTS themselves. Candidates need to follow the right strategies, implement tips in your study plan, stay consistent, and practice.

Ques. How many hours is IELTS exam?

Ans. The IELTS exam is for 2 hours and 45 minutes. IELTS has four parts – Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), writing (60 minutes) and speaking (11–14 minutes). The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

Comments


2 Comments
D
divakar sharma
How many parts are there in the IELTS Speaking section?
R
rubab

There are 3 parts to the Speaking test. The examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies, and interests. This part lasts between 4 and 5 minutes. You will be given a task card and the examiner will ask you to talk about a topic. The Speaking and Listening tests are the same in both Academic and General Training.

S
shaik kabeer
What are the main difference in the syllabus of IELTS General Traing and IELTS Academic?
R
rubab

The differences in the syllabus can be found in only the Reading section. In the IELTS Academic Reading test, the number of reading passages in each section is the same. In the IELTS General Training Reading test, the number of reading passages varies in each section. The main difference between IELTS Academic and IELTS general is that the Academic test will contain topics suitable for anyone entering university or professional institutions while the General Training test will contain topics based on general interest.


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