International English Language Testing System, i.e., IELTS, is an English language competency exam for individuals whose first language is not English and who want to pursue further education in another country where English is the official language.
We will present you with a complete IELTS syllabus and the exam details in this blog to help you prepare.
IELTS Test Types
Let’s take you through various IELTS exams before going into the IELTS syllabus and exam pattern. During IELTS exam preparation, you’ll find that the syllabus for both courses is essentially the same, with a few minor differences. The main distinction lies in understanding the exam’s purpose.
IELTS Academic
IELTS Academic is accepted for academic reasons in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
IELTS General Training
The IELTS General Training exam focuses on a candidate’s basic language skills in a wide range of social and workplace situations. This test is ideal for candidates who intend to work visa in Canada, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, or New Zealand.
| Section | Number of Questions & Duration | Content | Marks |
| Listening | 4 Recordings and
40 Questions in 30 Minutes |
Four recorded monologues and conversations | 1 mark/question |
| Reading | 40 Questions in
60 minutes |
3 Passages (descriptive, analytical, factual, or discursive) | 1 mark/question |
| Writing | 2 Questions in
60 minutes |
Writing task (150 words)
Essay (250 words) |
Remember, task 2 is given more weight in the marking process than Task 1. |
| Speaking | 3 Questions in
11-14 minutes |
Part 1: Q&A
Part 2: Speaking on a familiar topic Part 3: Structure Discussion |
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IELTS Exam Pattern 2022
There are four sections in an IELTS exam: Reading, Writing, Speaking, and listening.
IELTS Reading Section
This section contains three texts on issues relevant to candidates interested in pursuing education, working, or relocating to another country.
- Three portions, each with 40 questions, the majority of which are multiple-choice questions.
- Candidates are tested in recognizing data for short answer questions, sentence or summary completion, identifying writer’s attitudes or views, and matching lists or phrases.
- Students will get 30 minutes to finish the portion and 10 minutes to transfer.
The significant variations between the IELTS syllabus of the two types of reading sections are listed below:
Academic
Three large paragraphs are provided, which may be factual, descriptive, or analytical. Newspapers, books, journals, research papers, and other sources are likely sources for the paragraphs, which are intended to assess the English skills of working professionals or students.
General Training
Three paragraphs, structured similarly to the academic part, can be taken from company rules, advertisements, brochures, and other sources.
IELTS Writing Section
Candidates are judged on their ability to write a report or a short essay skillfully. It has to get finished in 60 minutes.
- In this section of the IELTS exam, only two questions are there. Candidates will get a diagram, data, or a table in the first question, and they have to represent the material in their own words then.
- In the following question, candidates will get an argument or point of view problems. The objective is to evaluate the candidate based on their response’s viewpoint, justifications, ideas, and facts.
Academic
Within a 150-word essay, the candidate must define the provided diagram/data based on the description of the first answer, using examples.
General Training
Compose a letter in response to the situation. It might be intimate, formal, or semi-formal, depending on the questions. In addition, the applicant will need to produce an essay in support of the letter, providing relevant examples (if any).
IELTS Listening Section
This element of the IELTS exam gets divided into four parts, and they are all audio sections.
- Audio 1- Social context-based dialogue
- Audio 2- Monologue about ordinary social issues
- Audio 3- Conversation between four persons about education
- Audio 4- Monologue about a topic related to academia
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IELTS Speaking Section
This portion is basically like an interview, assessing the candidates’ general communication skills to see whether or not the candidate can communicate effectively in English. This IELTS exam section is divided into three parts:
- Part 1st (Introduction): Candidates must talk about themselves, their family, hobbies, interests, educational history, and so on for roughly 4-5 minutes.
- Part 2nd (Long Turn): Candidates will get a flashcard with a topic written on it. They are to speak for 2-3 minutes about it.
- Part 3rd (Discussion): Candidates are to cover the topic presented in Part 2nd for about 5-6 minutes in greater detail.
IELTS Syllabus 2022
After the basic IELTS exam pattern, let’s look at the IELTS syllabus in specific sections:
IELTS Syllabus for Listening
- Monologue (Recording 2): An everyday social context, e.g., a speech about local government)
- Conversation (Recording 3): Set between up to four people in an educational or training context)
- Monologue (Recording 4): On an academic subject, e.g., a university lecture)
IELTS Syllabus for Speaking
- Part 1 – Talk about oneself, such as family, work, studies, house, and hobbies.
- Part 2 – Choose a card with a topic and discuss it for two minutes after 1 minute of preparation
- Part 3 – Answer more questions on the same topic as in part 2
IELTS Syllabus for Reading (Academic and General Training)
- Task 1: Describe data presented in one or more graphs or tables on a related topic or in a machine diagram. You’d have to explain how it works.
- Task 2: Write an academic or semi-formal/neutral essay on the given topic.
IELTS Syllabus for Writing (Academic)
- Multiple Choice: Complete sentences by selecting the appropriate choice.
- Identifying Information: Respond to the question with a ‘true,’ ‘false,’ or ‘not given’ response.
- Identifying Writer’s Views/Claims: Respond to the questions with a yes, no, or not answered.
- Matching Information: Locate particular details in the form of an example, justification, description, comparison, summary, and explanation.
Writing (General Training)
- Task 1: In a given situation, compose a letter asking for information or explaining what’s going on in a personal, semi-formal, or official tone.
- Task 2: Write an essay or an article in response to an issue.
Conclusion
IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic are two exams offered by the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Depending on your needs or the university/course to which you are applying, you might choose one of these. During IELTS exam preparation, all versions of the IELTS are essential in giving a valid and accurate assessment of a candidate’s language skills in hearing, reading, writing, and speaking.
