IELTS Test Format

All candidates are tested in listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Listening: 30 minutes
Reading: 60 //
Writing: 60 //
Speaking: 11 – 14 minutes

Total test time: 2 hours 44 minutes excluding breaks.

All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking tests. There is a choice of Reading and Writing
tests according to whether a candidate is taking the Academic or General Training version of the
test.

Reading and Writing Tests

Academic General Training
For candidates For candidates taking the
taking the test test for entry to vocational
for entry to or training programmes
undergraduate not at degree level, for
or postgraduate admission to secondary
studies, or for schools and for
professional immigration purposes or
reasons. entrepreneur visas.

Order of Test Modules

Listening 4 sections, 40 items
30-40 minutes
Academic Reading General Training Reading
3 sections, 40 items 3 sections, 40 items
60 minutes OR 60 minutes
Academic Writing General Training
2 tasks Writing
60 minutes OR 2 tasks
60 minutes
Speaking 11 to 14 minutes
Total test time 2 hours 44 minutes

Listening Test Format

1. Section 1: conversation – 2 speakers
(2 Parts) Social Context
2. Section 2: monologue (2 Parts)
3. Section 3: conversation – 2-3 or 4 speakers (Academic Orientation)
4. Section 4: lecture

The actual tape lasts for about 30 minutes and then you have 10 minutes at the end of the listening in
order to transfer your answers to the answer paper.

Basic Listening Strategies

1. Try to predict before you listen to the conversation.
2. You can predict by reading questions first before the tape is played.
3. Pay attention to what the topic is, what the situation is and how many
characters are there?
4. Pay special attentions to phone numbers, names and codes.
5. Section 2 and 4 are more demanding linguistically. This means you need to
 focus language and information at the same time.
6. You hardly write 3 to 4 words, so grammar is not very important, however;
spelling errors are most possible and will be penalized.
7. Don't panic if you miss an answer. If it has really gone, then it is history.
Worrying and panicking is only going to make you miss another one. If you
remain calm, you might remember the answer or even it may be repeated.
You can even guess. There are no mark deduction for wrong answers.

Reading Test Format

1. Reading Module lasts 60 minutes with 3 reading passages. Thus you have 20 minutes for each. The
passages contain total 2,000 – 2,750 words with 40 questions
2. Texts and questions appear on Question Paper but answers are entered on a separate Answer Sheet
3. The reading passages are selected from Magazines, journals, books and newspapers. Topics are of
non-specialist, general interest. They are interesting, appropriate and accessible to university
students
4. At least one text contains detailed logical argument. One text may contain non-verbal materials –
diagrams, graphs, illustrations
5. Texts with technical terms will have a glossary

Basic Reading Strategies

1. Don’t spend too much time on one question that you miss the other questions. If
the question is difficult, leave it and then come back to answer it.
2. People often will mix the yes/no answers with the true/false answers and write
yes as an answer instead of true or vice versa. Strictly speaking, you are wrong
although you have understood the question and answer.
3. Never write 2 answers while one is asked. You will be wrong. If the question asks
for no more than 3 words, use no more than 3 words. Writing 4 words or more is
wrong.
4. In Reading Test, your spelling errors are more important because you possibly
do not make any grammatical errors in 3 words.
5. Use skimming and scanning techniques for quick reading.
6. In most cases, read the questions first to learn what area of the text you need to
reach to answer the question. Time management is very important in reading
test. Always keep a small watch on the desk so you do not miss time. I
recommend 17 minutes on section 1. 20 minutes on section 2. 23 minutes on
section 3.
7. If you have finished the exam with time to spare, DON'T just sit there!! Check
what you have done. If you have time after the check, check again. And so on....

Writing Test Format

Task 1 (20mins): descriptive report of a table or diagram (1,2,3). Some pictorial information is given
to be described in 150 words. So this is an information transfer task.

1. Interpreting graphs/ charts/ tables and other information

2. Writing about facts/ trends and comparing and contrasting information
3. Usually, you have to describe a process.

Task 2 (40 mins): 250-word essay in response to an opinion or a problem.

1. Discuss issues, construct an argument and use the appropriate tone and register.
2. Writing a well-structured, planned and organized argument
3. Demonstrating characteristics of good writing
 Basic Writing Strategies
1. Writing Task – 1 has fewer marks.
2. You will get a mark from 1 to 9 on Task Fulfillment, Coherence & Cohesion and
Vocabulary and Sentence Structure.
3. Cohesion and Coherence are interrelated, which is why they are done together.
Cohesion is how your writing fits together. Does your writing with its ideas and
content flow logically? Coherence is how you are making yourself understood
and whether the reader of your writing understands what you are saying.
4. Always present your writing in at least three paragraphs: Introduction, Body
and Conclusion. Paragraphing is important in IELTS writing.
5. Grammar is important. But don’t worry about grammatical and spelling
mistakes too much because IELTS is more interested in communication than in
grammatical accuracy.

Speaking Test Format

Face to face interview between one candidate and one examiner.
1. Part 1 (4-5mins): Introduction and interview on topics of common interest.
2. Part 2 (1-3 mins incl. prep): Individual talk. A card with a Topic and some instructions on it.
3. Part 3 (4-5 mins): Discussion topics. More demanding and critical.

Basic Speaking Strategies

1. Speak fluently and link ideas coherently and demonstrate a range of appropriate
vocabulary. Use accurate grammar and appropriate register.
2. Speak so that a listener can understand
3. Be prepared to respond fully to questions asked by examiner. Take the initiative
if possible, always say more than ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ and try to overcome nerves
4. Prepare well for your presentation and sound interested in the talk.
Demonstrate your control of the language and Support your opinions with
reasons.
5. Don’t worry about your mistakes. He will not note every mistake you make. He
will get general impressions of your speaking and grade you. More important is
the total communication rather than individual words.