IELTS Test Types and Formats
IELTS Test Types and Format
There are two different types of IELTS Modules:
- Academic
- General Training
Both tests are taken to check your English language skills in Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The Speaking and Listening tests are similar for both modules. But Reading and Writing tests are different.
What is IELTS?
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is designed to help you work, study or migrate to a country. The scores of the IELTS exams are recognized across 140 countries, by more than 10,000 organizations, government institutes, universities, and professional associations IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English.
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What’s in the exam?
| Paper | Content | Time |
| Listening | 40 questions | Approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes’ transfer time) |
| Reading | 40 questions | 60 minutes |
| Writing | 2 tasks | 60 minutes |
| Speaking | 3 parts | 11–14 minutes |
IELTS Test Type 1: ACADEMIC
Academic Module is for those people/students who wish to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels.
IELTS Academic Reading paper
There are three sections, each containing one piece of large text. The texts are collected from journals, magazines, newspapers, and online media. All of the topics are of general interest to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
You’ll need to write down your answers on an answer sheet. Unlike the Listening test, no extra time is given. You should be careful while writing your answers on the answer sheet because incorrect spelling and grammar will result in a loss of marks.
| Time allowed: | 60 minutes (including transfer time) |
| Number of sections: | 3 |
| Number of questions: | 40 |
| Marking: | Each correct answer receives 1 mark. Your final score is given as a band score from 1–9 in whole or half bands, e.g. 3 or 8.5. |
Read Also: IELTS Reading Tips
IELTS Academic Writing paper
In IELTS Academic Writing paper there are two Writing tasks and both must be completed.
Task 1 you need to describe some visual data in your own words (a graph, table, chart, or diagram). Try to complete it in 20 minutes and you must write at least 150 words.
Task 2 you will be given a point of view, an argument, or a topic to discuss. In the remaining 40 minutes, you must write at least 250 words.
| Time allowed: | 60 minutes |
| Number of tasks: | 2 |
| Marking: | Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score. |
Read Also: IELTS Writing Tips
IELTS Academic Listening paper
The paper is divided into four sections, each part contains 10 questions. The questions are arranged in the same sequence as the information in the recording
Part 1 includes a conversation between two speakers (for example, a conversation about travel arrangements). In Part 2, only one person speaks (for example, a speech about local facilities).
Parts 3 and 4 are concerned with education and training issues. In Part 3 there is a conversation between two main speakers (for example, two university students in discussion, perhaps guided by a tutor). In Part 4 Only one individual speaks on an academic topic.
| Time allowed: | Approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes to transfer your answers to an answer sheet) |
| Number of parts: | 4 |
| Number of questions: | 40 |
| Marking: | Each correct answer receives 1 mark. Your final score is given as a band score in whole or half bands, e.g. 5.5 or 7.0. |
Read Also: IELTS Listening Tips
IELTS Academic Speaking paper
The Speaking test is a face-to-face conversation between the candidate and the examiner. The Speaking Exam is recorded. The test is divided into three sections, each part follows a certain pattern of tasks to assess your speaking abilities in various ways.
| Time allowed: | 11–14 minutes |
| Number of parts: | 3 |
Read Also: IELTS Speaking Tips
IELTS Test Type 2: GENERAL TRAINING
The General IELTS test is conducted for those who have the desire to migrate abroad and begin their professional careers. General test format is typically for people who are going for work experience and training program in an English speaking country.
IELTS General Training Reading paper
There are three sections, each with a different level of difficulty. Two or three short texts, or multiple shorter texts, may be included in Section 1. There are two texts in Section 2. There is one large text in Section 3.
The texts in Section 1 deal with everyday issues. You will need to extract information from notices, advertisements, and timetables. Section 2 contains literature on work-related topics such as job descriptions, contracts, staff development, and training materials. Section 3 contains text on a topic of general interest.
| Time allowed: | 60 minutes (including transfer time) |
| Number of sections: | 3 |
| Number of questions: | 40 |
| Marking: | Each correct answer receives 1 mark. Your final score is given as a band score from 1–9 in whole or half bands, e.g. 3 or 8.5. |
IELTS General Training Writing paper
In this test, there are two writing tasks and both must be completed.
Task 1, you must write a letter in response to a situation, such as asking for information or explaining a situation. In approximately 20 minutes, you must compose at least 150 words.
Task 2, you will be given a point of view, an argument, or a topic to discuss. In rest of the 40 minutes, you must compose at least 250 words.
| Time allowed: | 60 minutes |
| Number of tasks: | 2 |
| Marking: | Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score. |
IELTS General Training Listening paper
The listening part of General Training is same as the Academic Listening module.
IELTS General Training Speaking paper
The speaking part of General Training is same as the Academic speaking module.
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