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 of the Listening and Speaking sections are the same for both modules. However, the structures of the Reading and Writing segments differ between the Academic and General tests.
Usually, the Listening, Reading, and Writing tests are taken on the same day, and there are no intervals between them. The Speaking test is arranged one 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.
| Structure | The first two components relate to scenarios in the ordinary social setting. Part 1: Refers to a conversation between two people (for instance, a discussion about travel plans). Part 2: Includes a monologue (for example, a speech about the facilities in the region). The last two segments are devoted to the situations connected with education and training. Part 3: Involves two main interlocutors (e.g., university students discussing something, perhaps with the help of a moderator). Part 4: Delivers an academic lecture on a particular topic. The IELTS Speaking test is conducted in four parts, each focusing on different aspects of communication and knowledge. Part 1: Refers to a conversation between two people, for instance, a discussion on the plans for a trip. Part 2: Includes a speech, where the speaker gives a lecture, for example, on facilities in the area. Part 3: Involves two main interlocutors, who may be university students, speaking in conversation, perhaps with the help of a tutor. Part 4: Represents an academic lecture based on a particular academic discipline. |
| Timing | Listening to audio is allowed for a maximum of 30 minutes, while an extra 10 minutes is provided for transferring answers. The IELTS Listening test contains 30 minutes of audio material and 10 minutes for transferring answers. In the test, the candidates write their answers on the question paper as they listen to the questions. The last 10 minutes of the test are provided at the end of the test for transferring these answers to an answer sheet. One has to be very careful when transferring answers because poor spelling and grammar will attract 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 |
The Reading section assesses competencies like reading for gist, understanding concepts, reading for specific information, scanning, understanding of cause and effect relationships, and determining the writer’s stance.
IELTS Reading Test: Academic
This test consists of three longer passages from journals, magazines, and books. The content of these paragraphs is intended for those who plan to continue their education in foreign countries.
| Structure | The test includes three paragraphs, each accompanied by various question formats |
| Timing | 60 minutes Note: During the test time, candidates must transfer their answers to an answer sheet. No additional time is given for transferring answers from one section to another. One has to be very careful when writing the responses on the answer sheet since poor spelling and grammar are 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 consists of three parts, and the materials for the test are taken from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks, and guidelines. These materials are typical of what one is likely to come across in everyday usage of English.
| Format | There are three sections in the test. Section 02: It comprises of two texts. |
| Timing | 60 minutes Note: The candidates can transfer their answers to an answer sheet during the time allowed for the test. There is no additional time given to transfer the answers from one paper to another. It is essential to be very careful when writing the answers on the answer sheet. This section penalizes poor spelling and grammar. |
| 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. |
Module Structure:
This module is divided into two parts: Task 01 and Task 02, which are the two tasks that have been identified in this project. It evaluates a candidate’s suitability to respond to tasks in a correct manner, with a wide variety of words and grammar.
Writing Test: Academic
| Structure | Task 01: The ability to describe visual information should be done in at least 150 words in approximately 20 minutes. |
| Timing | 60 minutes Note: The tasks must be written on the answer sheets by the candidates within the time allowed for the test. Both tasks need to be done in a formal style. |
| 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: The tasks must be written by the candidates on the answer sheets within the time allowed for the test. The answers to Task 1 should be written in formal tone. Responses to Answers to Task 2 can be in formal, semi-formal or informal tone 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. |
This module is composed of three sections and tests the candidate’s fluency in English. All the tests are documented by the test center.
| Structure | Part 01: The examiner starts by telling the candidate his/her name and then proceeds to ask 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 provided with a card that has a topic with three subtopics to discuss. They have one minute to deliberate and make points if they want, then two minutes to speak on the subject. Part 03: The examiner introduces the cue card topic in the form of questions, and the candidate should be able to elaborate on the subject. (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. |