IELTS TEST PATTERN

IELTS exam is one of the standardized English tests accepted by English-speaking countries for visa approvals. If you want to move to such a country, for travel, work, study, or immigration purposes, we help you achieve good scores in the IELTS exam.

You may opt for the IELTS General Training test if you want to work abroad, or IELTS Academic tests if you want to study abroad.

The different parts of the IELTS test are divided into four tests:

• Listening
• Reading
• Speaking
• Writing

These 4 different tests decide and evaluate the English skills of the candidates who sit for the exam. The candidates should get the score according to the college/university they wish to enrol into. 

Every university has its criteria and if that criterion is not entirely matched, the candidates cannot enrol in that particular university. 

The difference between IELTS Academics and IELTS General Training is that students who want to go to English speaking countries like UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia etc., for doing undergraduate and postgraduate studies, write the IELTS Academics test whereas the candidates who wish to go to English speaking countries concerning their work or training programs. 

The IELTS test score is accepted as well as recognized by more than 150 countries all over the globe.

Duration of the test

The entire test lasts for 2 hours 45 minutes and as stated above is divided into 4 different categories. But sometimes, the speaking test might not fall on the same day as of writing, listening and reading test. Sometimes, it is taken one day before the main test or just the next day of the test and if not this case, then within the very seven days.

IELTS reading test

This test consists of a total of 40 questions and is divided into 3 parts. Every section consists of a single text and an entire set of questions. Candidates should not spend more than 20 minutes on a particular section otherwise there are chances of missing out on questions.

The format of this test is different for both academic and general training candidates. This exam lasts for an hour.

Three different English passages with 13-14 questions are crafted in a way to analyze the ability of the candidates that how quickly they absorb the questions and come up with answers to the questions after reading the stanzas. The type of questions could vary. 

There could be multiple-choice questions, complete the sentences, writing summaries, to match the information, or to answer briefly the questions given in the passage. 

The academic test is majorly based on three paragraphs that could be based on facts, or taken from different sources like magazines, journals or books. On the other hand, the general training test, as the name suggests based more on general information extracted from advertisements, notices, magazines etc. The score band is from 0-9.

IELTS writing test

The duration of this test is also an hour. Two assignments have to be completed by the candidates; both with a different type of context. It could be based on opinions, arguments or even discussion. The difference between academic and general training tests is:

ACADEMIC TEST: 

It could be a graph, a table, a process, a chart or could be a diagram that the candidates have to explain and describe or maybe write a gist of the information that is given to them. 

The candidates are expected to write a proper formal essay in which they are supposed to put out their opinion and views on the topic that is given to them. They could use examples to support their opinions. 

GENERAL TRAINING TEST:

Candidates could be given to write a formal, semi-formal or personal letter in which they are supposed to request any particular information or they could have to explain any particular situation. 

The candidates are supposed to write an essay in their personal way in which they express their own opinions on any topic that could be in favour or against the motion.

IELTS listening test

The pattern, as well as the context of the exam, is the same for both academic and general training in the listening test and it is divided into four sections. Every test is difficult as compared to the last one. That means, it starts with the simplest one and then ends when the most difficult one. The time provided for this test is half an hour. The four parts are:

• a conversation between two people which is mostly casual, 
• a speech, 
• an academic setting in which either two people are having a conversation, and
• a lecture or a speech based on an academically related topic. 

The catch here is that every recording is only played once and the candidates are allowed to listen and take down notes that help them answer the questions. The scoring band is again from 0 to 9.

IELTS speaking test

As the name suggests, the speaking test is based on talking which is to check the English-speaking skills of the candidate, majorly focused on how one can express themselves, explain things as well as situations, and have healthy debates to support their point of view. 

The duration of each section is approximately from eleven to fourteen minutes. It is a one-on-one conversation between the examiner and the candidate. The examiner evaluates how well a candidate speaks English and English speaking is a really important test. 

The scores here also vary from the band of 0 to 9.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to improve speaking skills?

Speaking fluently does not come overnight. You will have to talk, write, sing and practice in English. You could read out loud, talk in front of the mirror or make it a habit to talk to everyone in English. With the help of the course that we provide at Visa2Immigration, you could easily practice speaking as we make sure that you are confident and well prepared before you take the test. 

Why should I take an IELTS practice test?

The IELTS practise test with us helps you prepare well for your test. It helps in understanding the pattern, speed, scoring and the syllabus. You should definitely take the test series if you plan to take the IELTS test as it will do nothing but benefit you.