The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test of English proficiency for work, study, and migration. Exam results are especially important for students who want to study at prestigious universities abroad.
The test allows international students to be evaluated based on their proficiency and command of the English language. IELTS is a standard English test that every student who does not speak English as their first language must take.
Cracking the popular English test will be simple if you understand the IELTS exam syllabus and pattern. This article will provide you with a detailed IELTS syllabus to help you prepare.
IELTS Syllabus and Exam pattern
The exam is divided into four sections that assess students' English proficiency. Reading, writing, speaking, and listening are the sections tested on the IELTS. To get a good IELTS exam score, students must work on all aspects of the English language.
The table below summarizes the exam pattern and discusses the topics as well as the time allotted to complete each section:
Sections | Brief Overview | Questions & Duration | Scoring |
Listening | 4 Recorded Monologues & Conversations | 40 Questions; 40 Minutes | Each question is of 1 mark. |
Reading | 3 Passages (can be descriptive, analytical, factual or discursive) | 40 Questions; 60 Minutes | Each question is of 1 mark. |
Writing | 1. Writing task (minimum 150 words) 2. Essay (minimum 250 words) | 2 Questions; 60 Minutes | Each task is assessed separately. Task 2 assessment carries more weight than Task 1. |
Speaking | Part 1: Q&A Part 2: Speaking in detail on a familiar topic Part 3: Structure Discussion | 3 Questions; 11-14 Minutes | IELTS speaking marking criteria: ● Fluency and Coherence, ● Lexical Resource, ● Grammatical Range and Accuracy, ●Pronunciation IELTS speaking marks are based on the 4 different levels. IELTS Speaking Score is calculated by the arithmetic mean of all the 4 different criteria. |
Score Range: 1 (Lowest) to 9 (Highest). A band above 6.5 is considered good. The score is valid for 2 years.
Exam fee: ₹15,500.
IELTS Section-wise Syllabus
Reading Section
This section includes three general texts on topics relevant to candidates wishing to study undergraduate and postgraduate courses, work, or migrate to other countries.
● The reading modules are divided into three sections, each with 40 questions, the majority of which are multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
● Candidates' skills are tested in areas such as identifying data for short answer questions, sentence or summary completion, identifying writer's attitudes/views, and matching list or phrases.
● Students will be given 30 minutes to complete the section and 10 minutes of transfer time.
Writing Section
Candidates will be tested in this section on their ability to write a general report or a short essay fluently.
● The section of the IELTS exam contains only two questions. In the first question, candidates will be given a diagram, data, or a table and will be asked to describe the information in their own words. This question has a word limit of 150 words.
● Candidates are given an argument, or point of view problems, in the second question. The goal is to evaluate the candidate based on their answer's viewpoint, reasons, ideas, and facts. Candidates will be given a total of 60 minutes to complete this portion.
Listening Section
Listening is organised into four sections in the Listening module. The first two dialogues are about social needs, whereas the last two are about issues that are more intimately tied to schooling. They will all last about three minutes. Conversations could be monologues or dialogues. These chats can only be heard once. Multiple-choice, short-answer questions, note completion, phrase completion, naming a diagram, and other types of questions are asked.
Total number of questions: 40+
Time allotted: 30 minutes
● Conversations 1 and 2 will revolve around social and everyday settings. The first talk will take place between two persons in a regular circumstance and setting. The second will be a monologue based on a normal everyday situation as well.
● Conversations 3 and 4 will revolve around instructive scenarios. The third talk will take place in a proper education or training atmosphere among four people. The fourth conversation will be a monologue about any academic topic or context.
Speaking Section
The IELTS speaking examination is the final portion, and it follows the same style and structure for both Academic and General Training modules. The section examines applicant's general speaking skills as well as their knowledge and effective communication skills for communicating with people from other countries. There will be three questions, each of which will include personal interviews, a discussion, and a brief speech.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
You will be asked some basic questions about yourself for the first five minutes, such as family, house, studies, hobbies and interests, and so on.
Part 2: Long Turn
The candidate will be given a topic and given around two minutes to scribble down anything pertinent to the issue and speak about it. Following the candidates' speeches, there will be a brief question and answer session.
Part 3: Discussion
Based on the given topic and your speech, deeper questions and abstract dialogues would take place. You will have the ability to delve deeper into your chosen topic. This segment should last about five to six minutes.
IELTS preparation tips
There are two ways to prepare for the IELTS: self-study and attending coaching classes. Which path you take is determined by your level of linguistic proficiency and comfort. You do not need to attend coaching lessons if you are already fluent in English; you can prepare for the exam on your own. You only need to determine when you should begin preparing for IELTS.