IELTS Exam Pattern: Understand, Prepare, and Ace Your Test!

Did you know that the Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking portions of the IELTS exam are each intended to evaluate a different facet of your English language proficiency? This extensive framework guarantees that the IELTS exam offers a comprehensive assessment of your language proficiency.

Getting a good score on the IELTS exam is essential, whether your goal is to study abroad, work for a multinational corporation, or move to an English-speaking country. Read on to learn more about the specifics of each section, the scoring methodology, and test-taking tips for the IELTS and the IELTS exam pattern in detail.

IELTS Exam Pattern 2024

There have been no significant modifications to the general structure or content of the IELTS exam in 2024. The exam evaluates competence in the following four critical domains: speaking, writing, reading, and listening.

While the Speaking test can be scheduled up to seven days before or after the other sections, the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are all completed on the same day.

IELTS on Paper

If you choose to take the IELTS on paper, you'll experience the test a bit differently from the computer-based version, but the content, timing, question types, scoring, and results are all the same. On test day, the staff will give you booklets and answer sheets for each section, and then collect them before moving on to the next part.

For the IELTS on paper, you'll complete the Reading, Listening, and Writing sections using pen or HB pencil for the Writing test, but you'll need to use an HB pencil for the Listening and Reading sections. All these tests are taken on the same day without any breaks in between. The Speaking test, however, is conducted in person with an examiner and can be scheduled either a week before or after your main test date.

IELTS Test Format

In 2024, the IELTS test is divided into four parts: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The Listening and Reading sections each last 30 minutes, while the Writing section is 60 minutes long. For Listening, you'll hear four recorded conversations and monologues. The Reading section features three lengthy passages.

In the Writing section, you'll tackle two tasks: writing an essay and analysing a graph or chart. The Speaking test is a 11-14 minute face-to-face interview with an examiner to gauge your spoken English. You can take the test on paper or computer, with scores being the same for both formats.

IELTS Test Format - Listening

The IELTS Listening test lasts 30 minutes and consists of 40 questions covering a range of question types. You'll listen to four recordings: two conversations and two monologues, each featuring different accents such as British, Australian, New Zealand, and North American. The recordings are played only once.

In Part 1, you'll hear a conversation between two people in a casual setting, like a chat at a rental agency.

Part 2 features a monologue in a similar everyday context, such as a speech about local amenities.

Part 3 involves a discussion among up to four people in an educational setting, like a university tutor and students talking about an assignment.

Finally, Part 4 presents a monologue on an academic topic, similar to a university lecture.

IELTS Test Format - Reading

The IELTS Reading test lasts 60 minutes and consists of 40 questions with various question types. You'll need to understand the opinions, attitudes, and purposes of the writers, using skills like skimming and grasping the writer's perspective.

For the Academic Reading section, you'll tackle one long passage per section, covering topics that interest undergraduate or postgraduate students. These passages can include different writing styles and might have diagrams, graphs, or illustrations, drawn from sources like books, journals, and newspapers.

In the General Training Reading section, you'll read five or six texts of different lengths. Section 1 features a few short texts on everyday matters, Section 2 includes two short work-related texts, and Section 3 offers one longer text on a general interest topic. Texts come from diverse sources such as advertisements, company handbooks, official documents, and newspapers.

IELTS Reading Test – Academic Format:

• The IELTS Academic Reading section assesses your ability to understand complex texts, identify arguments, and discern the writer's opinion, attitude, or purpose. It evaluates skills in skimming, scanning, and detailed reading.
• The test is divided into three parts, each featuring a passage sourced from contemporary books, journals, magazines, or newspapers. These texts cover topics relevant to academic and professional contexts.
• You will answer 40 questions, which may include a variety of formats such as short answers, matching headings, sentence endings, identifying specific information, and completing sentences, summaries, notes, tables, or flow charts.

IELTS Reading Test – General Training Format:

The IELTS General Training Reading test includes three sections designed to assess your ability to understand everyday and work-related texts.

• Section 1: Focuses on social settings within an English-speaking environment, featuring several short texts like timetables, advertisements, or public notices.
• Section 2: Evaluates your understanding of texts relevant to the workplace, such as contracts, training manuals, job descriptions, and documents on salary and working conditions.
• Section 3: Presents a longer and more challenging text on a topic of general interest, sourced from books, magazines, or newspapers.

IELTS Test Format - Speaking

The IELTS Speaking test lasts between 11 to 14 minutes and is conducted as an interview. There are no specific questions provided in advance; instead, it is an interactive assessment of your spoken English skills, and the session is recorded for evaluation. The Speaking component is the same for both the Academic and General Training versions, much like the Listening test.

• Part 1 (4–5 minutes): The examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and familiar topics, such as your home, family, work, studies, and interests.
• Part 2 (3–4 minutes): You will receive a card with a topic to talk about. You have 1 minute to prepare before speaking for up to 2 minutes. The examiner may ask one or two follow-up questions related to the topic.
• Part 3 (4–5 minutes): The examiner will ask more detailed questions connected to the topic from Part 2. This part focuses on discussing more abstract issues and ideas.

IELTS Test Format - Writing

The IELTS Writing test lasts 60 minutes and consists of two tasks, with no multiple-choice questions. For Task 1, you'll need to write at least 150 words in about 20 minutes. In the Academic version, you will describe visual information from a graph, table, chart, or diagram in your own words. In the General Training version, you'll write a letter responding to a situation, such as requesting information or explaining an issue.

For Task 2, you'll write an essay of at least 250 words in about 40 minutes. Both the Academic and General Training versions require you to discuss a point of view, argument, or problem. The Academic version is geared towards topics relevant to undergraduate or postgraduate studies, while the General Training version focuses on practical, everyday issues.

The IELTS Writing test has two parts in both the Academic and General Training versions, but the content and style vary between them.

IELTS Writing Test Format – Academic:

• Task 1: You'll receive a graph, table, chart, or diagram and need to summarise and report the information in your own words. This could involve comparing data, describing stages in a process, or explaining how something works. Responses should be in an academic, semi-formal, or neutral style.
• Task 2: You'll write an essay addressing a point of view, argument, or problem. This task is weighted twice as heavily as Task 1 in the overall Writing score. The topics are designed to be relevant and understandable for those entering undergraduate or postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration.

IELTS Writing Test Format – General Training:

• Task 1: You'll write a letter based on a given situation. This letter could be personal, semi-formal, or formal in style, and might involve requesting information or explaining a situation.
• Task 2: You'll compose an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. The style can be less formal and more personal compared to the Academic essay. This task also contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.

Takeaway

International students can improve their chances of passing the IELTS exam by learning the format of the examination, being familiar with the various question types, and creating efficient study plans.

Through the use of numerous top-notch study resources offered by AECC, consistent practice, and consulting with IELTS professionals, you can build the abilities and self-assurance required to obtain the score you want on the 2024 IELTS exam pattern. For thorough guidance on the IELTS exam pattern and preparation strategies, contact AECC today!