IELTS Test Format

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It is a standardised test that measures the English language proficiency of non- native English language speakers who want to study or work where English is the language of communication.

IELTS has two modules:

• IELTS Academic test is for those who want to apply for higher education in universities and other institutions or pursue professional registration such as medical doctors and nurses in an English-speaking country.
• IELTS General Training test is for those who are planning to migrate or applying for secondary education, training programme and work experience in an English-speaking country.

IELTS test has four parts:

IELTS TEST FORMAT

It takes 2 hours 45 minutes to complete the test.

1) Listening test format:

You will have to listen to four recordings:

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

 2) Reading test format:

It consists of 40 questions.

• IELTS Academic includes three long texts. The test consists of extracts books, journals, magazines and newspapers. Information range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. These texts have been selected for a non-specialist audience but are appropriate for people entering university courses or seeking professional registration.
• IELTS General Training includes three passages with tasks. The test consists of extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to come across on a daily basis in an English speaking environment.

3) Writing test format:

IELTS Academic test – There are two tasks:

• Task 1 – You will be given graphs, tables, charts or diagrams and asked to describe the information in your own words. You may be asked to explain and interpret data, describe the stages of a process.
• Task 2 – You are required to write an essay in response to the point of view, argument or problem. Reactions to both tasks must be in a formal style.

IELTS General Training – There are two tasks:

• Task 1 – You will be given a situation and required to write a letter requesting information, or explaining the situation. The message may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
• Task 2 – You are required to write an essay in response to the point of view, argument or problem. The article can be slightly more personal in style.

4) Speaking test format:

IELTS Speaking test is a face-to-face interview. Every test is recorded. There are  three tasks:

• Task 1 – You are required to answer general questions about yourself and many familiar topics, such as your home, family, work, studies and interests. The time taken to complete the task is between 4 and 5 minutes.
• Task 2 – You are required to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare. The examiner then asks you one or two questions on the same subject to finish this part of the test.
• Task 3 – You will be asked more questions connected to the topic in Part 2. These questions give you a chance to discuss more abstract issues and ideas. This task lasts between four and five minutes.

IELTS has two modules: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.

Each  test has four parts:

IELTS TEST FORMAT

• It takes 2 hours 45 minutes to complete the test.
• The listening and speaking are the same for both modules, but reading and writing components differ depending on which test you want to take.
• The listening, reading and writing components of IELTS tests are completed on the same day, with no breaks.

The Speaking component can be completed a week before or after the other tests.