IELTS Exam Syllabus 2024: Comprehensive Guide to Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking Sections

Understanding the IELTS exam syllabus for 2024 is crucial for effective preparation and achieving a high band score. This comprehensive guide covers all four sections of the IELTS test: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each section is designed to evaluate different aspects of your English language proficiency. By familiarizing yourself with the detailed syllabus, question types, and scoring criteria, you can strategically plan your study approach.

Whether you are taking the Academic or General Training version, this guide will help you navigate the IELTS exam syllabus and maximize your performance in each section.

The IELTS exam curriculum encompasses four sections: Reading, Speaking, Writing, and Listening. The total duration of the IELTS exam is 2 hours and 45 minutes. Candidates receive scores ranging from 0 to 9, which remain valid for 2 years.

In the IELTS exam syllabus, there are four main sections: Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking. While the Speaking and Listening parts are the same for both Academic and General Training formats, the Reading and Writing sections differ. Here’s a brief overview of each section’s syllabus:

1. Writing Syllabus: Candidates must complete two writing tasks, addressing topics relevant to both formats.
2. Reading Syllabus: Test takers read three texts and answer questions. The topics vary depending on whether it’s Academic or General Training.
3. Listening Syllabus: Candidates listen to four recordings and answer questions. This tests their ability to understand spoken English.
4. Speaking Syllabus: Divided into three parts, candidates answer general questions, speak about a specific topic, and discuss related questions.

In the IELTS Writing Section, candidates tackle two tasks. For the Academic module, Task 1 involves summarizing visual information from graphs, tables, charts, or diagrams, while Task 2 requires writing an essay on a given topic. For the General Training module, Task 1 involves writing a letter based on a scenario, and Task 2 also involves essay writing

Writing- IELTS Academic

For IELTS Academic Writing, candidates address general-interest topics relevant to undergraduate or postgraduate programs. Task 1 involves interpreting data from a graph or chart, while Task 2 requires writing an essay supporting an argument with relevant examples.

Writing- IELTS General Training

For IELTS General Training Writing, candidates complete two tasks, which are less complex than the academic format. Task 1 involves writing a letter based on a given scenario, while Task 2 requires an essay supporting a viewpoint with personal examples.

Types of Questions in the Writing Section

In the writing section of the exam, candidates encounter various question types:

1. Agree/Disagree: Candidates express their agreement or disagreement with a given statement and provide supporting arguments or opinions.
2. Advantages/Disadvantages: Candidates discuss the pros and cons of a particular situation.
3. Cause/Solution: Candidates analyze the causes of a problem and propose potential solutions.
4. Two-Part Questions: Candidates respond to two related questions, addressing each part thoroughly.
5. Discuss Both Sides of a Question: Candidates write about arguments for and against a topic before expressing their opinion.

Read More: IELTS Writing

The Reading module comprises three passages with a total of 40 questions. The Academic version includes longer texts from books, journals, and newspapers, while the General Training version includes shorter texts from everyday sources like advertisements.

• Total no. of questions: About 40
• Total time: 30 minutes

Reading- IELTS Academic

In the Academic version, passages are longer and drawn from academic sources such as newspapers, journals, or books. They are designed to test candidates’ ability to understand descriptive, factual, or analytical content suited for a non-specialist audience, such as higher education aspirants or professionals seeking work abroad.

Reading- IELTS General Training

In the General Training version, passages are similar but may include excerpts from everyday sources like advertisements or company guidelines. This version is considered relatively easier as the texts are more common and encountered in daily life.

Types of Questions in the Reading Section

Candidates will encounter various question types in the reading section of the exam:

1. Multiple Choice Questions: Candidates select the most suitable answer from a list of options.
2. Short-answer Questions: Candidates provide brief responses based on information from the text.
3. Matching Information: Candidates match specific information or paragraphs with corresponding sections of the text.
4. Matching Headings: Candidates match paragraph headings with relevant sections of the text.
5. Matching Features: Candidates match features or characteristics with appropriate categories.
6. Identifying Information: Candidates locate specific details or information within the text.
7. Identifying the Writer’s Views: Candidates determine the writer’s perspective or opinion on a given topic.
8. Sentence Completion: Candidates complete sentences using information from the paragraph or text.
9. Matching Sentence Endings: Candidates match sentence endings with appropriate beginnings.
10. Diagram Label Completion: Candidates label diagrams or charts based on information provided in the text.
11. Summary, Note, Table, and Flowchart Completion: Candidates complete summaries, notes, tables, or flowcharts using information from the text.

Read More: IELTS Reading

The Listening section includes four parts, with recordings related to everyday social contexts, educational settings, and training contexts. Candidates answer various question types based on the recordings.

The section includes various question types, such as multiple-choice, short-answer questions, and labeling diagrams.

• Total no. of questions: 40+
• Total time: 30 minutes

Sections 1 and 2 are about everyday, social situations

In the IELTS Listening section, Sections 1 and 2 cover everyday social situations.

In Recording 1, there is a conversation between two people in a social setting, while Recording 2 is a monologue in a similar context.

Sections 3 and 4 are about educational and training situations

Sections 3 and 4 focus on educational and training scenarios.

Recording 3 features a conversation among four people in an educational setting, while Recording 4 presents a monologue on an academic topic.

Types of Questions in the Listening Section

In the listening section of the exam, candidates will encounter various question types:

1. Multiple Choice Questions: Candidates select the correct answer from a list of options based on the information provided in the recording.
2. Sentence Completion: Candidates complete sentences or phrases using the information heard in the recording.
3. Matching: Candidates match information or categories with corresponding options presented in the recording.
4. Plan, Map, and Diagram Labeling: Candidates label plans, maps, or diagrams based on information provided in the recording.
5. Table, Flowchart, Summary Completion: Candidates complete tables, flowcharts, or summaries using information presented in the recording.

Read More: IELTS Listening

The Speaking section involves a face-to-face interview divided into three parts: a personal interview, a monologue on a given topic, and a discussion on the topic. This section assesses fluency, coherence, lexical resource, grammatical accuracy, and pronunciation.

• Total no. of questions: 3 parts – Personal Interview, Little Speech, and a Discussion
• Total time: 11 to 14 minutes

Part 1 introduction and interview (4–5 minutes)

Part 1 (Introduction and Interview): Lasting around 4-5 minutes, this section involves answering simple questions about personal topics such as family, home, studies, hobbies, and interests.

Part 2 long turn (2–3 minutes)

Part 2 (Long Turn): In this part, lasting 2-3 minutes, candidates are given a flashcard with a topic and are asked to speak about it for about two minutes. Following the speech, the examiner may ask further questions about the topic.

Part 3 discussions (5–6 minutes)

Part 3 (Discussions): This segment, lasting 5-6 minutes, involves deeper discussions and abstract conversations related to the given topic and the candidate’s speech. It provides an opportunity to explore the topic in-depth and address more complex issues.

Types of Questions in the Speaking Section

1. Part 1- General topics and self-introduction: Candidates respond to questions about their personal experiences, opinions, and preferences, demonstrating their ability to engage in spontaneous conversation.
2. Part 2- Speaking on a given topic for two minutes: Candidates deliver a monologue on a specific topic, showcasing their ability to organize their thoughts, use relevant vocabulary, and maintain coherence and fluency.
3. Part 3: Discussion on serious issues and topics: Candidates engage in a more complex and nuanced discussion with the examiner, exploring abstract ideas, societal issues, and cultural phenomena, demonstrating their ability to express opinions, analyze perspectives, and engage in meaningful discourse.

Read More: IELTS Speaking

Read More: IELTS Exam Pattern

IELTS Academic: For those aiming to study or work in English-speaking countries, focusing on academic readiness.

IELTS General Training: For those looking to migrate to English-speaking countries or require English proficiency for work or training.

Read More: Types of IELTS

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What is the IELTS exam syllabus for 2024?

The IELTS exam syllabus for 2024 includes four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each section is designed to test different aspects of English language proficiency. The Listening and Speaking sections are the same for both Academic and General Training versions, while the Reading and Writing sections differ.

How is the IELTS Listening section structured?

The IELTS Listening section consists of four recordings, including conversations and monologues, with a total of 40 questions to be answered in 30 minutes. It tests the ability to understand main ideas, details, opinions, and specific information.

What types of questions are included in the IELTS Reading section?

The IELTS Reading section includes a variety of question types such as multiple-choice, matching headings, matching information, sentence completion, and short-answer questions. The Academic version has three long texts, while the General Training version has multiple shorter texts.

What topics are covered in the writing section?

The topics can vary widely, covering issues of general interest, current affairs, education, society, technology, and more.

How is the writing section scored?

The writing section is scored based on criteria such as task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy.