The IELTS exam for 2024 is divided into four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Candidates are evaluated based on these four components. IELTS offers two formats: the IELTS Academic and the IELTS General Training Test. IELTS Academic is typically required for university admissions worldwide for undergraduate or postgraduate programs.

Candidates should verify the specific requirements of the institutions they are applying to and tailor their preparation accordingly. IELTS General Training is intended for those planning to migrate to English-speaking countries or move for work-related training. It is also recognized by professional organizations that require English language proficiency from non-native speakers.

IELTS Exam Pattern 2024

Before starting your preparation for the IELTS Exam 2024, it’s important to understand the IELTS format. The IELTS Test Score is a crucial factor in the selection process. Jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge English Language Assessment, the IELTS exam is recognized by over 10,000 educational institutions across more than 140 countries.

The IELTS exam comprises four sections: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Note that the Reading, Listening, and Writing sections are administered in a single sitting. The Speaking section, however, may be scheduled either on the same day, or up to seven days before or after the other test components.

IELTS Academic Test Breakdown

IELTS Paper Pattern

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the IELTS exam, candidates should familiarize themselves with the IELTS Syllabus.

The IELTS Syllabus consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The entire test takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete.

• Listening: This section lasts 30 minutes and is divided into four parts. Candidates are required to answer a total of 40 questions covering various types of listening tasks.

• Reading: The Reading section includes three texts on general topics, which are relevant for those pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies. Candidates have 60 minutes to answer approximately 40 questions based on these texts.

• Writing: In this 60-minute section, candidates must complete two tasks. Task 1 requires writing a summary of at least 150 words based on a graph, table, or process. Task 2 involves writing a discursive essay of at least 250 words.

• Speaking: The Speaking section lasts between 11 and 14 minutes and consists of a face-to-face interview. This section assesses the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively and present ideas clearly in English.

IELTS Test Format

There are two types of IELTS exams: Academic and General Training. While all test takers complete the same Listening and Speaking tests, the Reading and Writing tests differ depending on the type of IELTS you are taking. It’s important to prepare according to the specific test format you need.

IELTS Test Format – Listening

In the Listening section, candidates listen to four recordings of native English speakers and answer questions based on these recordings.

• Recording 1: A conversation between two people in an everyday social context.
• Recording 2: A monologue set in a social context.
• Recording 3: A conversation involving up to four people in an educational or training context.
• Recording 4: A monologue on an academic subject.

Types of IELTS Listening Questions:

• Matching
• Multiple-choice questions
• Sentence completion
• Short-answer questions

IELTS Test Format – Reading

The Reading section consists of 40 questions designed to assess a range of reading skills, including understanding logical arguments, identifying main ideas, and finding specific details. This section includes three long texts that vary from factual and descriptive to discursive and analytical. The texts are sourced from magazines, journals, newspapers, and books, and are chosen to reflect content suitable for university-level candidates.

Types of IELTS Reading Questions:

• Identifying information
• Matching features
• Sentence completion
• Short-answer questions
• Identifying the author’s claims

IELTS Test Format – Writing

The Writing section tests candidates’ abilities to write effectively for academic or general purposes.

• Task 1: For the IELTS Academic Module, candidates summarize a table, graph, or process in at least 150 words. For the IELTS General Training Module, candidates write a letter of at least 150 words. Candidates have 60 minutes to complete both tasks, with Task 1 typically requiring 20 minutes and Task 2 requiring 40 minutes.

• Task 2: Both Academic and General Training Modules require candidates to write an essay of at least 250 words in response to an argument, problem, or point of view. Responses should be formal and well-structured.

IELTS Test Format – Speaking

The Speaking section assesses candidates’ spoken English skills and is recorded.

• Part 1: The examiner asks general questions about familiar topics such as work, studies, or home. This part lasts 4-5 minutes.

• Part 2: Candidates receive a card with a specific topic and have one minute to prepare. They then speak for two minutes on the topic. The examiner will ask one or two follow-up questions.

• Part 3: This part involves a discussion on the topic from Part 2, allowing candidates to explore ideas and issues in more depth. It lasts 4-5 minutes.