IELTS Exam Pattern 2024: Detailed Guide to Test Format, Sections, and Tips

Understanding the IELTS Exam Pattern 2024 is crucial for anyone aiming to achieve a high band score. This comprehensive guide breaks down the test format, covering all four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. We provide detailed insights into each section, including the types of questions you can expect, the scoring criteria, and essential tips to help you excel. Whether you’re a first-time test taker or looking to improve your previous score, our expert strategies and practical advice will prepare you thoroughly for the IELTS exam.

Let us discuss in details about the IELTS Exam Pattern in detail!

IELTS Exam pattern 2024 remains the same. The conducting body has not made any changes in the IELTS exam pattern. This widely recognized English test is used for two purposes; admission abroad and visa application. The more a candidate scores on IELTS, the better university he/ she gets. To score a better band on IELTS, candidates must understand the IELTS exam pattern.

The table below discusses the IELTS exam pattern in detail:

The total duration of the IELTS test is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

To gain a thorough understanding of the IELTS pattern, candidates should familiarize themselves with the IELTS syllabus. The syllabus covers four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, with a total test duration of 2 hours and 45 minutes.

• Listening: This section lasts 30 minutes and is divided into four parts. Candidates must answer 40 different types of questions.
• Reading: This section includes three texts of general interest relevant to candidates pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate programs. It lasts 60 minutes and contains approximately 40 questions.
• Writing: Spanning 60 minutes, this section consists of two tasks. In Task 1, candidates must write a summary of at least 150 words based on a graph, table, or process. In Task 2, candidates need to write a discursive essay of at least 250 words.
• Speaking: This section lasts 11 to 14 minutes and involves a face-to-face interview. It assesses candidates’ ability to communicate effectively and present their ideas coherently in English.

IELTS is divided into two different formats; Academic and General Training. However, the IELTS Reading and Writing tests will be different for all candidates.

IELTS Listening will include four recordings of native English speakers. Based on these recordings, candidates have written their answers to the list of questions given.

Recording Details

1. Section 1: 10 questions (General conversation between 2 English natives)
2. Section 2: 10 questions (Monologue on the general topic)
3. Section 3: 10 questions (Conversation between 2-4 people around academics)
4. Section 4: 10 questions (Monologue on an academic topic)

IELTS Listening Question Types

Exam Pattern for IELTS for the listening section are:

• Multiple choice
• Matching
• Plan, map, diagram labeling
• Form, note, table, flowchart, summary completion
• Sentence completion
• Short-answer questions

The Reading section for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training differs for test-takers. According to the 2023 IELTS exam pattern, test-takers have 60 minutes to complete this section, which includes 40 questions.

• IELTS Academic Reading: The passages are of medium length and sourced from journals, books, magazines, and newspapers. The writing styles of these excerpts can be descriptive, factual, discursive, or analytical. Test-takers must identify the purpose, attitude, or opinions of the writers.
• IELTS General Training Reading: This section comprises three parts with excerpts from newspapers, books, magazines, guidelines, advertisements, handbooks, and notices. Task 1 focuses on “social survival,” Task 2 on “workplace survival,” and Task 3 is a general reading passage with a slightly more complex structure.

IELTS Reading Question Types

The types of questions included in this section are:

• Multiple choice
• Identifying information
• Identifying the writer’s views/claims
• Matching information
• Matching headings
• Matching features
• Matching sentence endings
• Sentence completion
• Summary, note, table, flow-chart completion
• Diagram label completion
• Short-answer questions

Similar to the IELTS Reading section, the IELTS Writing section varies for Academic and General Training test takers. The exam includes two tasks that must be completed in 60 minutes. Task 1 requires 20 minutes to write 150 words, while Task 2 requires 40 minutes to write 250 words. No changes have been made to the Writing section’s format.

IELTS Writing Question Types

• Task 1:
  • Academic Writing: Candidates must write a report analyzing a graph or table.
  • General Training: Candidates are required to write a letter.
  • Both tasks have a minimum time of 20 minutes and a word limit of 150 words.
• Task 2:
  • Academic Writing: Candidates write an article in response to a situation.
  • General Training: Candidates write an essay in response to an argument or point of view.
  • Both tasks have a minimum time of 40 minutes and a word limit of 250 words.

For both tasks, candidates should ensure all information is relevant and that they effectively utilize graphical data when required. Examiners evaluate responses based on several criteria, including task achievement or task response, coherence, lexical resource, and grammatical accuracy.

The duration, word limit, and marking criteria remain consistent across both the General Training and Academic Writing sections. In the General Training Writing section, Task 1 involves writing a letter, while in the Academic section, it involves describing a graph or chart. For Task 1, candidates must adopt a formal, semi-formal, or personal tone, while Task 2 (essay) will have a personal style.

IELTS Speaking is conducted to measure a candidate’s English speaking skills. This entire section is recorded, based on which candidates are evaluated. This test will be conducted for 11 to 14 minutes.

• Part 1 – The interviewer/ examiner will ask the candidate questions about their education, work, family, and interests. This part will be conducted for four to five minutes.
• Part 2 – After Part 1, the examiner will provide a card that will include a specific topic. The candidate will be given one minute to prepare for the topic and two minutes for speaking. After two minutes of speaking, the examiner will ask questions on the topic.
• Part 3 – The interviewer will ask questions from Part 2. Candidates can discuss the main ideas of the topic listed on the card. Here, candidates will be given 4 to 5 minutes for discussions.

1. Listening

Duration: 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes transfer time)
Format: 4 sections, 40 questions
Content: Conversations and monologues

Tips for Preparation:

• Practice Regularly: Listen to various English audio materials like podcasts, news broadcasts, and audiobooks.
• Understand Different Accents: Familiarize yourself with different English accents (British, American, Australian).
• Focus on Keywords: Pay attention to keywords and phrases to understand the context.
• Take Notes: Practice taking notes while listening to capture key points.

2. Reading

Duration: 60 minutes
Format: 3 sections, 40 questions
Content: Passages from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers

Tips for Preparation:

• Read Widely: Read various English texts, including academic articles, newspapers, and magazines.
• Skim and Scan: Develop skills to quickly find information and understand the main idea of passages.
• Time Management: Practice completing reading sections within the allocated time.
• Understand Question Types: Familiarize yourself with different question types such as multiple-choice, matching, and True/False/Not Given.

3. Writing

Duration: 60 minutes
Format: 2 tasks
Content: Task 1 (150 words) – Describing a graph, table, chart, or diagram; Task 2 (250 words) – Essay writing

Tips for Preparation:

• Practice Writing: Write essays and reports on various topics to improve your writing skills.
• Plan Your Answer: Spend a few minutes planning your answer before you start writing.
• Focus on Clarity: Ensure your writing is clear, well-organized, and coherent.
• Review Grammar and Vocabulary: Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary usage.

4. Speaking

Duration: 11-14 minutes
Format: 3 parts
Content: Introduction and interview, individual long turn, and two-way discussion

Tips for Preparation:

• Practice Speaking: Engage in regular English conversations with friends or language partners.
• Record Yourself: Record your responses to practice questions and review them to identify areas for improvement.
• Develop Fluency: Focus on speaking fluently and confidently without long pauses.
• Prepare for Common Topics: Be prepared to discuss common IELTS topics such as education, work, and hobbies.

The IELTS band score shows candidates’ English language proficiency skills. The table below shows an overview of the IELTS score pattern and their corresponding levels of English proficiency:

Every year, thousands of individuals prepare for the IELTS exam, often dedicating at least 6 months to achieve a score of 7-7.5 for higher education or employment purposes. The following preparation tips can assist candidates in achieving their desired scores:

• Familiarize Yourself with the Exam Format: Ensure you thoroughly understand the IELTS exam structure before taking the test.
• Enhance Vocabulary: Start reading English novels, newspapers, or magazines to expand your vocabulary.
• Learn New Words: Continuously add new words to your vocabulary and practice using them correctly in writing tasks.
• Improve Listening and Speaking Skills: Regularly watch English news, interviews, and movies to enhance your listening and speaking abilities.
• Build Confidence in Speaking: Engage in conversations in English to boost your confidence.
• Practice Writing: Write daily to minimize spelling mistakes and improve overall writing skills.
• Manage Time Efficiently: Develop strict time management skills to ensure you can answer all questions within the allotted time.
• Take Mock Tests: Regularly practice with mock tests and IELTS sample papers to improve your performance in each section.
• Understand Rather than Memorize: Focus on comprehending each section of the test rather than rote learning.
• Answer All Questions: Attempt every question as there is no negative marking in the IELTS exam.

1. Understand the IELTS Format

Familiarize yourself with the structure of the IELTS exam. There are two versions: Academic and General Training. Both versions consist of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

2. Assess Your Current Level

Take a practice test to determine your current level of English proficiency. This will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses.

3. Set a Realistic Goal

Based on your initial assessment, set a realistic target score. This will guide your preparation and help you stay focused.

4. Create a Study Plan

Develop a study plan that covers all four sections of the IELTS exam. Allocate more time to areas where you need improvement. Your plan should include daily practice, review sessions, and periodic full-length practice tests.

This was all about the IELTS exam pattern 2024. Candidates preparing for their next IELTS must know about the exam pattern. For more information on such informative articles, visit w3wiki.

Also Read:

What is the pattern of the IELTS speaking exam 2024?

IELTS Speaking is conducted for 11 to 14 minutes. This test is divided into three parts; Part 1 will include general introduction on education, work and family; Part 2 will include a cue card which will include a topic on which candidates have to speak for 2 minutes; and Part 3 will include questions based on Part 2. The IELTS Speaking will be a one-on-one round with the interviewer/ examiner.

What is the general structure of the IELTS exam 2024?

IELTS exam is divided into four sections; Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking. The total duration of the exam will be 2 hours 45 minutes. Each section will include different types of questions with seperat evaluation and time limit.

What is the minimum passing band on IELTS?

Candidates planning to pursue an undergraduate or postgraduate program must score at least 6 bands on IELTS to become eligible to apply for admission.

How many questions are there in IELTS Reading?

IELTS Reading will include 40 questions aimed to test candidates English reading skills. The duration of this section will be 60 minutes.