IELTS Exam - Updated Pattern & Detailed Syllabus 2024
IELTS Exam - Updated Pattern & Detailed Syllabus 2024
IELTS test structure
The IELTS test has two forms:
- IELTS Academic
- IELTS General
Candidates can choose between one of these two exam forms depending on their purpose of studying abroad, settling down or working
Writing test - IELTS Writing
Writing section of IELTS Academic (IELTS Academic Writing)
Candidates will have to complete 2 articles with given topics related to topics popular with students who want to study at the Bachelor and Master's level in an international environment.
Question 1 in the Writing section: Candidates will be provided with a chart, graph or table and asked to explain the information and data in the test. Candidates should apply appropriate interpretation with clear conclusions.
Question number 2 in the Writing test: Candidates are asked to express their opinion on the issue or topic raised in the test. Candidates need to persuade with arguments and data to support their ideas.
IELTS General Writing section (IELTS General Writing)
Similar to IELTS Academic, the Writing section of IELTS General Training also includes two questions. However, the questions are usually relatively easier than IELTS Academic.
Question number 1 in the Writing section: Candidates will write a letter based on a specific situation. The language used can be academic or spoken style depending on the required topic.
Question 2 in the Writing section: Candidates will be asked to write an essay based on the content of the letter in question 1 and need to clearly state their personal opinions to respond to the question.
Reading test - IELTS Reading
Reading section of IELTS Academic
This test includes 3 long paragraphs with specialized content of analysis and description. Usually those passages are taken from newspapers, research articles, journal articles, books and magazines.
Reading section of IELTS General Training
Similar to the structure of the IELTS Academic test, the passages in the IELTS General Test are taken from advertisements and publications. Therefore, the language used in this section is often everyday and widespread.
Listening section - IELTS Listening
The IELTS listening section consists of four parts with each recording being 3 minutes long and edited from a combination of monologues and conversations between multiple individuals. The recording will only be played once and candidates will have to answer a set of questions appropriate to each listening section. The question format can contain multiple answers or fill in the blanks, write short answers and choose an appropriate title for the chart. IELTS
listening skills in parts 1 and 2 will be based on everyday social situations.
Recording 1 : A conversation between two people in an everyday social situation.
Recording 2 : Simple monologue based on everyday situations.
- IELTS listening sections 3 and 4 will be based on highly educational or professional situations.
Recording 3 : Conversation between four people related to the field of education or training.
Recording 4 : Monologue discussion about a specific subject.
Speaking test - IELTS Speaking
Candidates will meet directly 1-1 to take the test. Examiners will focus on evaluating candidates' knowledge and ability to use English to communicate.
Number of questions: 3
- Questions about personally relevant topics
- Present a requested topic within the allotted time
- Discuss questions related to the topic in question 2
Questions about personal topics: Candidates need to answer questions related to family, studies, work and hobbies.
Present a requested topic within the allotted time: Candidates will be provided with a specific topic and have 1 minute to prepare. Then candidates need to present their opinions in 2 minutes. The examiner may ask additional questions based on the candidate's presentation.
Discussion: The examiner will have a discussion with the candidate about a number of issues related to the topic in question 2. The questions in this part are more abstract and in-depth.
IELTS Exam Pattern for Vietnamese
Section | Description | No. of Questions | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
IELTS Syllabus -Listening | This section consists of four recorded monologues and dialogues. | 40 | 30 +10 minutes |
IELTS Syllabus -Reading | This section contains three long passages, and tasks are assigned to each passage. The texts under the reading section are descriptive, factual, discursive and analytical. It also includes non-verbal content like diagrams and graphs. These texts are taken from books, journals and newspapers. | 40 | 60 minutes |
IELTS Syllabus - Writing | This section consists of two tasks. The first task is a summarisation/explanation of the given table, graph or diagram in at least 150 words. The second task is writing an essay of at least 250 words. | 2 | 60 minutes |
IELTS Syllabus - Speaking | This session is a face-to-face interview that includes brief questions and talking in detail about a particular topic. | 3 | 11-14 minutes |