IELTS Exam Pattern 2023 - Explore Section-wise IELTS Exam Format, Marking Scheme & Duration

IELTS Exam Pattern

To understand the IELTS exam pattern, a candidate should understand the IELTS Syllabus. The IELTS syllabus has different sections Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.

What are the Different Types of IELTS?
The General Training and Academic Test are the two IELTS test categories.

People who want to relocate overseas, land a job with a company in an English-speaking nation, or brush up on their English language abilities typically take the General Training Test.

On the other hand, students who want to enroll in a university for undergraduate or graduate study need to take the Academic Test. Most universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, Canada, and New Zealand accept this test and set a minimum IELTS score that applicants must meet to be considered for admission. This exam aims to determine if you possess the essential English language abilities to function in a setting where the predominant language of instruction is English. Therefore, it should go without saying that to succeed in a higher education setting, you will require a better level of English proficiency, which implies a high IELTS score.

Your speaking, reading, writing and listening skills are evaluated on both IELTS exams. While the Reading and Writing sections are different for each test, the Listening and Speaking sections are the same.

The IELTS test can be taken in two formats by the candidates -

Paper-delivered Format and Computer-delivered Format
The test has been administered via a paper delivery method for more than 30 years, and a computer delivery method was only recently implemented (in August 2018). It is crucial to remember that the IELTS computer-delivered format follows the same question structure, format, difficulty level, and scoring as the paper-based version, just that you will use a computer to administer the listening, reading, and writing tests.

IELTS Paper Pattern

IELTS Academic Paper Pattern

IELTS Academic Paper Pattern

Candidates must compose their responses to the list of questions after listening to four recordings of fluent English speakers.

• Recording 1 - A conversation between two persons in any typical social setting is captured in Recording 1.
• Recording 2 -It is a monologue situated in a typical social setting.
• Recording 3 - A conversation between up to four persons recorded in the context of instruction or training.
• Recording 4 - A monologue on any academic topic is recorded in take four.

IELTS Test Format – Reading

There are 40 questions in the Reading section of the exam, all of which are designed to evaluate various reading abilities. These include reading for primary concepts, reading for details, and comprehending logical reasoning. The reading module consists of three long passages covering a wide range of topics, from argumentative to descriptive to factual. The materials are chosen for university applicants from periodicals, journals, newspapers, and books.

IELTS Test Format – Writing

The topics covered in the Writing component of the exam are appropriate for undergraduate and graduate students applying to universities.

Task 1 - The test taker has 60 minutes to do both assignments. The first job takes 20 minutes, while the second takes 40 minutes. A candidate must write a summary of at least 150 words of a table, graph, or procedure in Task 1 of the IELTS Academic Module. A candidate must compose a letter of at least 150 words for Task 1 of the IELTS General Training Module.

Task 2 - The Academic and General Training Modules Task 2 asks you to write an essay of at least 250 words. Candidates will be required to respond to an issue, argument, or point of view in an essay. Ensure that you formally respond to the task.

IELTS Test format – Speaking

The candidate's spoken English is observed during the speaking portion, and each test is documented.

Part 1: The test-taker will be asked open-ended questions about themselves and common subjects like work, school, and/or home. The first segment lasts four to five minutes.

Part 2: A cue card with a question regarding a specific subject will be provided to the exam taker. You will have a minute to prepare before you speak for two minutes, and the examiner will then ask a question or two about the chosen subject.

Part 3: Questions about the subject the test-taker chose in Part 2 will be asked. You will get to talk more in-depth about the concepts and problems here. This section lasts for four to five minutes.