IELTS Exam Format

IELTS has two modules namely- 1. Academic and the 2nd General Training Module.It is imperative to take IELTS Academic Module if one is to enroll in universities and other institutions of higher education.

IELTS Exam Format

The IELTS test has four parts
Listening: 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes extra to transfer answer to answer sheet)
Reading: 60 minutes
Writing: 60 minutes
Speaking: 11-14 minutes

Here is a detailed format and insight into each section of the IELTS Test:

Listening: The module comprises 4 sections with 10 questions in each section. It takes 40 minutes: 30 minutes for testing, plus 10 for transferring the answers to an answer sheet. Section 1 and 2 are usually about every day, social situation where as section 3 and 4 are about training and educational situations.

Reading: This module comprise of 3 long reading passages which may range from descriptive and factual passages to discursive and analytical passages. Every passage is followed by variety of question types. It may also include non verbal materials such as diagrams, graphs or illustrations.

Writing: The Writing section has 2 tasks, both of which must be attempted. In task 1, the test taker is to summarise a graph, table, chart or diagram etc. in at least 150 words. In task 2, an essay prompt is provided, and the test taker has to discuss a point of view, argument or variable in at least 250 words.

Speaking: The speaking test is a face to face interview between the test taker and an examiner. It consists of 3 tasks- introduction ad interview (short questions), speaking at length about a structured discussion and a familiar topic.

Sections	Questions	Time
Listening	40 questions	40 minutes
Reading
Academic Module	3 passages ( 40 questions)	60 minutes
General Module	3 sections (40 questions)	60 minutes
Writing
Academic Module	2 tasks (Diagram Prompt/Argument Prompt)	60 minutes
General Module	2 tasks (Letter Prompt/Essay Prompt)	60 minutes
Speaking	3 parts	11 – 15 minutes