IELTS Exam Pattern is one of the most important factors for one candidate who is going to sit for IELTS test. There are a few types of IELTS Exam and IELTS Question Pattern varies from one to one. The IELTS Exam is divided into four parts; Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking test. One candidate must participate in these tests. The overall band score will be given between 0 to 9 according to the test results.
This guideline is about the IELTS Exam Pattern. This guideline depicts the IELTS Exam Format, IELTS Exam Structure and IELTS Exam Syllabus. Moreover, the IELTS Scoring system is described and some tips are shared about the Strategies for Best Score in IELTS Exam.
IELTS Exam Pattern
Among all the IELTS exam types, IELTS General and IELTS Academic are mostly known. The IELTS General Exam Pattern and IELTS Academic Exam Pattern is almost same but there are few dissimilarities. Also there are some differences in IELTS Exam Syllabus between these.
Also Read: IELTS Registration
Take a look at short description of IELTS Exam Format:
| Exam Method | Computer Based and Online-Based |
| Total Time | 02 Hours and 45 minutes |
| Total Questions | 82 (without speaking test) |
| Band Score | 0-9 |
The IETLS exam can be given Computer Based and Online-Based. But the speaking test will be held face-to-face in both methods. The reading, writing and listening test will be held one by one without any break on the same date. The speaking test may held on the same date or before/after seven days. The exam center will notify you about the speaking test date.
IELTS Question Pattern
Overall, there will be total 82 questions. 40 questions for both reading and listening test and 02 questions for the writing test. Knowing the IELTS Exam Pattern will help you to get good score.
If you are going to sit for IELTS for the first time, then IELTS Question Pattern is much important. The band score is divided by 25% by each test. So you have to obtain good score in all these test to get a rich overall score.
You may know that IELTS Result is valid for two years. And IELTS Exam takes a lot of preparation. Though you can sit for IELTS exam anytime you want, still this result is valuable. So, the suggestion for you get a clear knowledge about the IELTS Exam Pattern as well as IELTS Exam Syllabus.
IELTS Exam Structure
IELTS officials have few articles about the IELTS Exam Paper Pattern. But here the whole IELTS Exam Structure is described briefly so that you can understand well.
The IELTS Academic is for the students who are going to English-speaking countries for higher study. Most of the candidates sit for IELTS Academic. Some others also sit for IELTS UKVI and IELTS Life Skill test. All these exams have different question types. So it is better to get knowledge about the exam stricter. So lets show you the exam pattern-
IELTS Reading Test Pattern
| Test Name | Time | Marks | Question Type |
| Reading | 60 minutes | 40 | MCQ, identifying information, identifying the writer’s views/claims, matching information/headings/features/sentence endings, sentence/summary/note/table/flow-chart/diagram label completion, short-answer questions |
There will be total 40 questions, each question consists of one mark. You should learn the IELTS Exam Pattern before you sit for test.You will read the given passage or the diagram and answer the questions there. Through this test, your English understanding ability is judged.
IELTS Writing Test Pattern
The IELTS Writing Test is much more hard and comprehensive. This test is held for one hour. The candidate has to show his writing skill. He has to prove that he has ability to create excellent piece of writing in any circumstances.
| Test Name | Time | Questions | Question Type |
| Writing | 60 minutes | 2 | Describe graph/table/chart/diagram, essay-writing, and letter-writing |
40 minutes will be allocated for IELTS Academic Writing Test and 20 minutes will be for IELTS General Writing Test. The IELTS Question pattern for academic and general is not same. The focus for academic test is on Clarity, coherence, grammar, and vocabulary. At the same time, focus for general test is on ability to address the topic and support arguments.
IELTS Listening Test Pattern
Through the listening test, your English vocabulary and fluentness is judged. There will be four sections for the listening test. Here is the IELTS Exam Pattern for listening test-
| Test Name | Time | Marks | Question Type |
| Listening | 40 minutes | 40 | MCQ, matching, labeling plan/map/diagram, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion, sentence completion |
Identifying the ideas and opinion of the speaker on the conversation is one topic of the listening exam. You will get a headphone for better experience. There will be several MCQs and matching that you can only answer if you have a good listening experience.
IELTS Speaking Test Pattern
Here is the IELTS Exam Pattern for speaking test-
| Test Name | Time | Questions | Question Type |
| Speaking | 11-14 minutes | 3 parts | Questions on general topics, speaking on a specific topic, questions on the specific topic |
The speaking test is for judging your vocabulary and your ability to speak fluently with the citizens of the English-speaking country. Each part takes 4-5 minutes, but not the same method. On the first part, basic questions will be asked. On the second part, the examiner will give you a topic and you have to speak for two minutes about it. The test taker will ask further questions in basis of your second part speech on the third part.
IELTS Exam Syllabus
The IELTS Exam Syllabus is different for each IELTS Exam type. Since the most popular are IELTS Academic and IELTS General, we are talking about these exam types today. The syllabus for the four sections (Reading, Writing, Listening & Speaking) is here for both academic and general.
IELTS Reading Test Syllabus:
| Exam Type | Section |
| IELTS Academic | 3 long texts books, journals, magazines, and newspapers |
| IELTS General | Section 1: two or three short texts; Section 2: has two texts Section &Section 3: has one long text |
IELTS Writing Test Syllabus:
| Exam Type | Section |
| IELTS Academic | Describe a graph, table, chart, or diagram |
| IELTS General | Write a letter (formal or informal) |
IELTS Listening Test Syllabus:
The speaking test method is same for both general and academic test.
| Exam Type | Section |
| IELTS Academic &IELTS General | A monologue in a daily social contextA monologue on any academic topicConversations on various topics between two or more people |
IELTS Speaking Test Syllabus:
The speaking test method is same for both general and academic test.
| Exam Type | Section |
| IELTS Academic &IELTS General | Part 01- Basic QuestionsPart 02- Speak two minutes about a subjectPart 03- Further questions about the second part. |
IELTS Scoring System
Now you may have gathered a good knowledge about the IELTS Exam Pattern &I ELTS Question Pattern. But you should also get good knowledge about the IELTS Scoring System.
| Reading | Listening | ||
| Correct Answer | Score | Correct Answer | Score |
| 40 | 9 | 39-40 | 9 |
| 39 | 8.5 | 37-38 | 8.5 |
| 37-38 | 8 | 35-36 | 8 |
| 36 | 7.5 | 32-34 | 7.5 |
| 34-35 | 7 | 30-31 | 7 |
| 32-33 | 6.5 | 26-29 | 6.5 |
| 30-31 | 6 | 23-25 | 6 |
| 27-29 | 5.5 | 18-22 | 5.5 |
| 23-26 | 5 | 16-17 | 5 |
| 19-22 | 4.5 | 13-15 | 4.5 |
| 15-18 | 4 | 10-12 | 4 |
Note: The speaking and writing score depends on the performance on the test. There is no marks, a band score is given from 0 to 9.
05 Strategies for Best Score in IELTS
First: Have a good knowledge about the IELTS Exam Pattern and the Question format.
Second: Practice more and more, there is no alternative of practicing.
Third: Improve your grammatical and vocabulary knowledge.
Fourth: Learn time management. It will be hidden treasure for you.
Fifth: Get a reliable and trusted IELTS course in your area.