Complete Guide to IELTS Exam Syllabus and Pattern

IELTS Exam Syllabus: Key Points, Exam Format, and More

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PI - Prepare IELTS

2023-10-27

IELTS Exam Syllabus

Overview

If you are looking forward to studying, working, or immigrating to English-speaking countries, then you will know that you have to clear the IELTS Academic or General Test.

To prepare best and get a good band score in the exam, it is crucial to understand the IELTS Syllabus, its key points, and the exam format. For 2024, the official authorities have released the IELTS Exam Syllabus and pattern for those candidates who want to appear in the upcoming IELTS.

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the key points of the IELTS syllabus, the specific content of the exam for both Academic and General Training modules and the format of the IELTS test. Let's dive into it and learn more about the International English Language Testing System.

Key Points of the IELTS Syllabus and Exam Pattern

Before diving into the IELTS exam syllabus, it's important to understand some key points about the IELTS syllabus and exam pattern.

  • IELTS offers two modules - Academic and General Training. The Academic module is for those planning to study at the undergraduate or postgraduate level, while the General Training module is for individuals seeking work experience or migrating to English-speaking countries.

  • The IELTS test examines four essential language skills - Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking and each of these skills is measured on a scale of 0 to 9.

  • The IELTS syllabus is designed to reflect real-life situations and challenges. The content is practical and relevant, ensuring candidates can communicate effectively in various contexts.

  • The timing of the IELTS Exam syllabus is 2 hours 45 min. 

IELTS Exam Syllabus

The IELTS syllabus contains different syllabus for the Academic and General Training modules. Below, you can check the complete IELTS Syllabus.

 

IELTS Exam Syllabus for Academic Training

If you want to study in English-speaking countries, then you must first check the IELTS Syllabus for Academic training. It will help you to prepare best and get a good band score in the exam. 

Listening - The listening component assesses the ability to understand spoken English in various academic contexts. This includes listening to lectures, conversations, and discussions, often involving multiple accents and dialects.

Reading - The academic reading test evaluates the ability to read, understand, and analyse academic texts, such as articles, journals, and reports.

Writing - The writing section requires candidates to complete two writing tasks. Task 1 involves summarising, describing, or explaining visual information (charts, graphs, diagrams). Task 2 is an essay that requires critical analysis and argumentation on a specific topic.

Speaking - The speaking test is a face-to-face interview that assesses the ability to communicate effectively in spoken English. It includes a structured conversation, a short speech on a familiar topic, and a discussion with the examiner.

 

IELTS Exam Syllabus for General Training

If you want to work in English-speaking countries, then check the IELTS Syllabus for General Training below.

Listening - The general training listening test assesses understanding everyday spoken English in various situations, such as social interactions, workplace discussions, and public announcements.

Reading - The general training reading test evaluates the ability to read and understand practical, everyday texts, including advertisements, brochures, and job-related documents.

Writing - Similar to the academic module, the general training writing section includes two tasks. Task 1 involves writing a letter based on a given situation, while Task 2 is an essay that requires candidates to express a point of view, argue, or problem-solve.

Speaking - The speaking test for the general training module is also a face-to-face interview but focuses on everyday communication in social and workplace contexts.

IELTS Exam Format

Understanding the format of the IELTS exam is crucial for effective preparation. The IELTS exam format includes the following -

Sections Description Number of questions/Duration Marks Band Descriptors/Band score

Listening

It contains four recordings, including 2 conversations and 2 monologues related to the social and academic context.

40 questions/30 minutes

1 mark per question

0-9 band scale

Reading

Three reading passages with different question types are sourced from books, journals, etc.

40 questions/60 minutes

1 mark per question

0-9 band scale

Writing
 

 
Task 1: 150-word essay based on the given chart, map, diagram, or letter. Task 2: 250-word essay based on the given situation.

2 tasks/60 minutes

Both writing tasks 1 and 2 are evaluated separately. Task 2 has more weightage than Task 1

Task Achievement (Task 1), Task Response (Task 2)

Coherence and cohesion

Lexical resource

Grammatical range and accuracy

Speaking

Part 1: Personal interview
Part 2: Task Card
Part 3: Structured discussion

3 parts/11-14 minutes


         -

Fluency and coherence

Lexical resource

Grammatical range and accuracy

Pronunciation

Conclusion

Understanding the key points, the complete IELTS syllabus, and the IELTS exam format is essential to preparing for the IELTS Academic and General in an effective manner. If you are embarking on a higher education journey, pursuing work opportunities, or planning to immigrate, accurate knowledge and understanding of the IELTS syllabus is the key to achieving your goals.

We hope the above details of the IELTS Syllabus will help you to prepare best for the exam. If you need further guidance, please contact Prepare IELTS (PI) expert counsellors. Our team of education experts is dedicated to providing you with the best guidance in the IELTS exam.

You can get a one-on-one counselling session online via our platform. Contact us at info@prepareieltsexam.com or call us at +91 9773398388.

FAQs

The general structure of the IELTS syllabus is consistent across the globe.

Yes, the syllabus of the Academic and General Training modules is different. Although both modules assess the same four language skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking), the materials and tasks are tailored to other purposes.

The IELTS exam is scored on a scale of 0 to 9 for each of the four skills. The scores for each skill are then averaged to calculate an overall band score. A band score of 6.5 to 7 is generally suitable for most academic and professional purposes. However, specific score requirements may vary by institution or organisation.

IELTS Life Skills tests, designed for individuals seeking to prove their speaking and listening skills for visa and immigration purposes, have a separate syllabus. These tests assess a candidate's ability to communicate through conversation and discussion with an examiner in every day, social, and workplace contexts.

Yes, many candidates choose to prepare for the IELTS exam independently using online resources, practice materials, and sample tests. However, some individuals may benefit from formal IELTS preparation courses or coaching to receive personalised guidance and feedback on their performance. The choice depends on your comfort with self-study and your specific needs.

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