IELTS 2024 : Exam Dates, Registration, Fees, Eligibility, Syllabus, Question Papers, Results

There are two types of IELTS test pattern: Academic and General Training. Each test has four sections: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, which is used to assess candidates' English language competence. Thousands of prominent universities throughout the world recognise IELTS scores.

For both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, the listening and speaking sections follow the same IELTS exam pattern. The reading and writing sections, on the other hand, follow a distinct pattern. The Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are all given on the same day, although the Speaking section can be taken up to seven days before or after the other tests. The IELTS Academic features 82 questions and an oral interview as a component of the speaking exam.

You'll need to know how far you've progressed when studying for the IELTS exam. Knowing where you stand will assist you in moving forward with your planning. As a result, it is recommended that you continue to take IELTS to practise exams regularly. It will also assist you in preparing yourself to face and handle the question paper effectively on exam day, without worrying. Check out various sample papers and practice as much as you can.

The IELTS exam pattern is divided into four parts. The below figure shows each part in detail.

This IELTS exam structure is followed all across the globe. Your total scores are calculated by the sum of these four parts.

Let us see the IELTS exam pattern for listening in detail. 

Candidates must listen to recordings and answer questions based on them in the IELTS 2023 listening section. Before the questions are asked, the recordings can only be heard once.

The IELTS Listening section is divided into four sections. The word segment has been replaced by the word parts since January 2020. There are ten questions in each area of the IELTS listening action. As a result, the total number of questions in the listening segment is 40.

The first two sections of the IELTS listening section are about daily circumstances.

Section 1: The first part will consist of a dialogue between the two speakers.

Section 2: There is a monologue in Part 2.

The situation will be set in educational and training contexts in the final two parts.

Section 3: In this section, the two primary speakers will have a conversation.

Section 4: In this section, there will be a monologue on a topic of scholarly interest.

There are 40 questions in the IELTS Academic Reading portion, which are based on three separate reading texts. The IELTS Academic Reading section lasts 60 minutes and includes questions in a variety of formats, including multiple-choice, matching information,  identifying information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, flow chart, summary completion, diagram labelling, and so on.

In the IELTS paper pattern for writing, there are two questions in Academic Writing. Candidates must describe visual information in the form of graphs, charts, tables or diagrams in the first question, which must be completed in less than 20 minutes. Candidates must react to an argument, a point of view, or a problem in the second question.

There are three elements to the IELTS exam pattern of the Speaking Section. Graphs, tables, charts, and diagrams are all examples of visual information that candidates must describe. It's worth noting that the length of each segment varies. Part 1 should take 11-14 minutes to complete, Part 2 should take 4-5 minutes to complete, including preparation time, and Part 3 should take 4-5 minutes.

Students who want to take the test at home and submit the results for admission to universities overseas might use the IELTS Indicator option. The IELTS Indicator test, on the other hand, is not a replacement for the in-person IELTS test, and the test taker may be required to take the in-person IELTS test in an IELTS test centre.

The following are some important details concerning the IELTS Indicator 2023 Exam Pattern:

• The IELTS Indicator is a session-based online test that can be taken at home.
• In terms of content, test style, and time allotted, the IELTS Indicator exam is equivalent to the in-person IELTS.
• The IELTS Indicator is scored by IELTS examiners and is thus as reliable as other options.
• Candidates should not expect the same level of quality and security in an IELTS Indicator test as they would in the in-person format of IELTS.

Those who prefer to take the IELTS on paper will use HB pencils or a pen to complete the listening, reading, and writing sections on paper. The speaking examination, however, is conducted in front of a certified IELTS examiner.

The IELTS Indicator on the other hand is an IELTS online test that can be completed in the privacy and convenience of your place. Listening, reading, writing, and Speaking are the four skills tested, and you will earn an indicative IELTS exam result for each. IELTS examiners will grade your performance, and you will receive your score within seven days.

While IELTS testing is temporarily suspended due to COVID-19, the Academic test is available for a limited time. The IELTS Indicator can be used by educational institutions to assess future students' English language abilities. 

Difference between Pen & Paper Test Vs Computer-Based Test: IELTS 2023