IELTS Exam Syllabus and Pattern

IELTS Exam Syllabus and Pattern

IELTS Syllabus and Pattern 2023: Find Section Wise Syllabus

Types of IELTS


The IELTS exam has two categories:

  • IELTS Academic
  • IELTS General

The candidate can choose between one of these tests depending on the requirement (to study overseas/migrate/work).

IELTS Academic


The IELTS Academic test is designed for students who intend to study at a university or in an English-speaking setting (higher education). IELTS Academic can also be used for professional registration. The test determines whether or not students are prepared to begin studying in English. It contains language that is commonly used in academic settings.

IELTS General


IELTS General Training The IELTS General Training test is appropriate for people applying to study at a lower level than a bachelor's degree. An English-speaking school or college falls under this category. It can also be used for work experience or other types of training in the workplace. The test covers common English language skills that students need in social and professional settings.

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IELTS Exam Syllabus and Pattern 2023

Section

Description

Number of Questions

Duration

Marks

Listening
The module is divided into four sections that increase in difficulty. Each section, which can be a monologue or a dialogue, begins with a brief introduction about the situation and the speakers.
40
30 minutes
40
Reading
The reading test in the academic module is divided into three sections, with three texts typically followed by 13 or 14 questions for a total of 40 questions. The General test is divided into three sections as well. However, because the texts are shorter, there may be up to five to read.
40
60 minutes
40
Writing
There are two tasks in the Academic module: Task 1 requires candidates to describe a diagram, graph, process, or chart, and Task 2 requires them to respond to an argument. There are also two tasks in the General Training module: Task 1 requires candidates to write a letter or explain a situation, and Task 2 requires them to write an essay.
2
60 minutes
Variable
Speaking
The speaking test is divided into three sections. This final section is more abstract and is generally regarded as the most difficult.
Variable
11-14 minutes
Variable

IELTS Exam Syllabus (Section Wise)

IELTS Listening Syllabus


It consists of four aspects each with 10 questions. 

The first two sections deal with scenarios that happen in everyday social situations. 

Multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion, and sentence completion are among the question kinds employed.

As they listen, test takers write their responses on the question paper, and at the end of the test, they have 10 minutes to transfer their answers to an answer sheet.

Recording 1 - consists of a dialogue between two people in an everyday social setting.

Recording 2 - a monologue set in a common social environment, such as a speech about local amenities.

Recording 3 - consists of a dialogue between up to four people in an educational or training situation, such as a university instructor and a student discussing an assignment.

Recording 4 - consists of a monologue about an intellectual subject, such as a university lecture.

IELTS Reading Syllabus

IELTS Reading Syllabus: IELTS Academic


The Reading part consists of 40 questions designed to assess a variety of reading abilities. Reading for gist, reading for major ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument, and recognising writers' perspectives, attitudes, and intent are examples of these.

The IELTS Academic test consists of three long texts ranging from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical. There are multiple choices, identifying information, identifying the writer's views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, and short-answer questions. All of the topics are of general interest. 

Exam takers who are commencing undergraduate or postgraduate courses or seeking professional registration will find them engaging, relevant, and understandable. The paragraphs might be written in a narrative, descriptive, or discursive/argumentative manner. At least one text contains a complete logical argument. Texts may include nonverbal resources such as diagrams, graphs, or drawings.

IELTS Reading Syllabus: IELTS General


The Reading part consists of 40 questions designed to assess a variety of reading abilities. Reading for gist, reading for major ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical arguments, and recognising writers' perspectives, attitudes, and intent are examples of these. The emphasis here is on descriptive and informative texts, rather than argumentative texts, in a general context appropriate to the diverse spectrum of test-takers engaged, such as newspapers, periodicals, and fictional and non-fictional book extracts.

IELTS General Training exam consists of excerpts from books, periodicals, newspapers, notices, advertising, company handbooks, and guidelines. These are the kinds of resources students likely to come across on a regular basis if they live in an English-speaking country.

There are three parts.

  • Section 1 may include two or three brief texts or a collection of shorter texts. 
  • Section 2 consists of two texts. 
  • Section 3 contains a single long text.

The following types of questions are used in the exam multiple choice, identifying information, identifying writer's views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, and short-answer questions.

IELTS Writing Syllabus

IELTS Writing Syllabus: IELTS Academic


The topics are of general interest to and appropriate for test-takers beginning undergraduate or postgraduate courses or seeking professional registration. There are two assignments:

Task 1: Students will be given a graph, table, chart, or diagram and will be asked to describe, summarise, or explain the material in their own words. They may be requested to describe and explain data, process phases, how something works, or an object or event.

Task 2: It entails writing an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. Responses to both assignments must be written in a formal manner.

IELTS Writing Syllabus: IELTS General


The subjects are of general interest. There are two assignments:

Task 1: Students will be given a situation and will be asked to compose a letter asking for information or describing the circumstance. The letter might be informal, semi-formal, or formal in tone.In Task 1, test takers are expected to respond to a circumstance, such as writing a letter requesting information or explaining a situation. 

Task 2: entails writing an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. The essay's style might be quite personal.Task 2 requires test takers to compose an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem.

IELTS Speaking Syllabus


The speaking portion evaluates the ability to communicate in English. Every test is videotaped.

Part 1 - consists of the examiner asking general questions about themselves and a variety of familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies, and interests. This segment lasts four to five minutes.
Part 2 - It will be handed a card on which students will be asked to speak on a specific topic. Before speaking for up to two minutes, they will have one minute to prepare. The examiner will next ask one or two follow-up questions on the same subject.The task focus of this section of the test is the ability to communicate ideas and information about ordinary issues and common experiences or situations by answering a variety of questions.
Part 3 - They will be asked additional questions about the topic covered in Part 2. These will allow them to discuss more abstract concepts and issues. This section of the test lasts between four and six hours.This section of the test focuses on the ability to articulate and justify viewpoints, as well as analyse, discuss, and hypothesise on issues.

IELTS Preparation Tips


It is critical to understand what to expect from the test format before students begin practising. Review the exam content, as well as the question and task categories for each part, to become acquainted with it. Begin preparation by taking a practice test to determine the shortcomings. This is an important component of initial preparation because it will help in identifying strengths and limitations.The comprehension of the test format will assist to complete it successfully within the time frame allotted.

Prepare under timed settings which will help acclimate to the pace of the test. It is critical to grasp how to follow a conversation, if something is missed, and how to recover to answer the next questions. When writing, use acceptable and assertive English terminology. Both academic training activities must be written in a formal style. Along with test preparation, be exposed to the language as much as possible.

IELTS Coaching


AECC Global is the right place for you to explore your  career and academic interests. We offer IELTS coaching which covers all aspects of the exam. We are present in ahmedabad, chandigarh, chennai, Kochi, surat, vadodara and Vishakapatnam

IELTS Preparation Books


  • The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS 
  • Barron’s IELTS  Superpack
  • Simone Braverman’s Target Band 7
  • IELTS Practice Tests Plus 2 with Key and CD Pack
  • Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Student’s Book with Answers
  • Road to IELTS
  • IELTS Trainer
  • Mometrix IELTS Book for General Training and Academic 2022 – 2023
  • Check Your English Vocabulary for IELTS 
  • Focus on IELTS Foundation: Foundation Coursebook
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