IELTS
IELTS Test Structure
- The IELTS test evaluates candidates across four essential skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
- There are two modules for the IELTS test:
- Academic
- General
- The formats for the Listening and Speaking sections are consistent across both modules. However, the structures of the Reading and Writing segments vary between the Academic and General tests.
- Typically, the Listening, Reading, and Writing tests are conducted on the same day, with no breaks between these sections. The Speaking test is scheduled either a week before or after the test date for the remaining three skills.
- The total duration for the LRW (Listening, Reading, and Writing) test is 2 hours and 45 minutes, while the Speaking test lasts for approximately 11-14 minutes.
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
Listening
| Structure | The initial two components address situations within everyday social contexts. Part 1: Involves a dialogue between two speakers (e.g., a conversation about travel arrangements). Part 2: Features a monologue (e.g., a presentation about local facilities). The latter two segments focus on scenarios related to education and training. Part 3: Comprises a discussion between two main speakers (e.g., university students engaging in a discussion, possibly guided by a tutor). Part 4: Presents a scholarly monologue on a specific subject. The format of the IELTS Speaking test is divided into four parts, each addressing distinct aspects of communication and knowledge. Part 1: Involves a dialogue between two speakers, such as a conversation about travel arrangements. Part 2: Features a monologue, where the speaker delivers a presentation, for instance, discussing local facilities. Part 3: Engages in a discussion between two primary speakers, often university students, in conversation, possibly guided by a tutor. Part 4: Showcases a scholarly monologue, focusing on a specific academic subject. |
| Timing | A maximum of 30 minutes is allocated for listening to audio, followed by an additional 10 minutes designated for transferring answers. The IELTS Listening test has a maximum duration of 30 minutes of audio content, followed by an additional 10 minutes designated for transferring answers. During the test, candidates write their responses on the question paper as they listen. The final 10 minutes are allocated at the end of the test for transferring these answers to an answer sheet. It’s important to exercise care while transferring answers, as poor spelling and grammar can result in penalties in this section. |
| Number of Questions | 40 Questions |
| Types of Questions | Fill in the blanks. Maps/Plan/Diagram Labelling Multiple-choice questions Matching (form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion) Sentence completion |
| Scoring | Each correct answer is awarded 01 mark |
Reading
The Reading section evaluates skills such as reading for the main idea, identifying key concepts, reading for details, skimming, comprehending logical arguments, and discerning writers’ opinions, attitudes, and purposes.
IELTS Reading Test: Academic
This test comprises three extended passages extracted from journals, magazines, and books. The content of these paragraphs is tailored for individuals aspiring to pursue higher education abroad.| Structure | The test includes three paragraphs, each accompanied by various question formats |
| Timing | 60 minutes Note: Candidates must transfer their answers to an answer sheet during the allotted test time. No extra time is provided for transferring answers. It is crucial to exercise care when writing responses on the answer sheet, as poor spelling and grammar may incur penalties in this section |
| Types of Questions: | Multiple-choice, 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 Short-answer questions |
| Number of Questions | 40 Questions |
| Scoring | Each correct answer is awarded 01 mark |
IELTS Reading Test: General
The test includes three sections featuring materials sourced from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks, and guidelines. These materials represent common encounters in daily English-speaking environments.| Format | There are three sections in the test. Section 01: It may have two or three brief texts or several shorter texts. Section 02: It comprises of two texts. Section 03: There is one lengthy text. |
| Timing | 60 minutes Note: Candidates are required to transfer their answers to an answer sheet during the time allowed for the test. No extra time is allowed to transfer the answers. Care ought to be taken when writing answers on the answer sheet. Poor spelling and grammar are penalized under this section. |
| No. of Questions | 40 questions |
| Types of Questions | Multiple-choice, 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. |
| Scores | Each correct answer is worth 01 mark. |
Writing
Module Structure:
This module is divided into two parts: Task 01 and Task 02. It assesses a candidate’s ability to address tasks appropriately using a broad range of vocabulary and grammar.
Writing Test: Academic
| Structure | Task 01: Describe visual information in at least 150 words in approximately 20 minutes. Task 02: Respond to a point of view, argument, or problem in at least 250 words in approximately 40 minutes. |
| Timing | 60 minutes Note: Candidates must write their tasks on the answer sheets during the allocated test time. A formal style is required for both tasks. |
| Number of Questions | 2 Questions |
| Types of Questions | Task 01: Graph, Table, Chart, or Diagram Task 02: Compose an essay in response to opinions, claims, or problems. |
| Scoring | Responses are assessed by certified IELTS examiners, with the points for Task 2 weighted twice as much as Task 1. |
| Structure | Task 01: Respond to a situation in at least 50 words in approximately 20 minutes. Task 02: Respond to a point of view, argument, or problem in at least 250 words in approximately 40 minutes. |
| Timing | 60 minutes Note: Candidates must write their tasks on the answer sheets during the allocated test time. Responses to Task 1 should be in a formal style. Responses to Task 2 can be in formal, semi-formal, or informal style, depending on the question. |
| Number of Questions | 2 questions |
| Types of Questions |
Task 01: A letter requesting information or explaining a situation. Task 02: Compose an essay in response to opinions, claims, or problems. |
| Scoring | Responses are assessed by certified IELTS examiners, with the points for Task 2 weighted twice as much as Task 1. |
Speaking
This module is divided into three parts and assesses the candidate’s English-speaking ability. Each test is recorded by the test center.
| Structure | Part 01: The examiner introduces themselves and asks the candidate general questions on familiar topics, such as work, hobbies, religion, hometown, and music. (Duration: 04 to 05 minutes) Part 02: The candidate is given a card containing a topic with three sub-points to speak on. They have one minute to think and make points if they wish, followed by 2 minutes to speak on the topic. Part 03: The examiner discusses the cue card topic by asking questions, and the candidate should be able to speak elaborately. (Duration: 04 to 05 minutes) |
| Timing | 11 to 14 minutes |
| Number of Questions | Variable |
| Scoring | The speaking ability of the candidate is assessed by certified IELTS examiners. |