IELTS Exam Syllabus 2024: Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking

For candidates aiming to attain a higher band score in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), familiarity with the exam syllabus is paramount. The syllabus outlines the content and format of the test, providing candidates with essential information to effectively prepare. The IELTS exam is available in two formats: Academic and General Training, each tailored to assess different language proficiency levels and skills. Both formats consist of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, and understanding the nuances of each section is crucial for success.

The IELTS exam is designed to measure a candidate's ability to communicate effectively in English, whether for academic or general purposes. The Listening section evaluates the candidate's ability to understand spoken English in various contexts, while the Reading section assesses comprehension skills through passages of increasing complexity. In the Writing section, candidates are tasked with expressing ideas clearly and coherently, and in the Speaking section, they must demonstrate their ability to communicate verbally in different situations. In this discussion, we will delve into the specific content and requirements of both the Academic and General Training formats of the IELTS exam, equipping candidates with the knowledge necessary to excel on test day.

Section-wise IELTS Exam Syllabus

The IELTS exam comprises four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, each with a distinct syllabus tailored to evaluate specific language skills. In the Listening section, candidates listen to recordings of conversations and monologues, responding to questions that assess their ability to understand main ideas, details, and speaker attitudes. Similarly, the Speaking section evaluates candidates' ability to express themselves fluently and coherently in response to various prompts, engaging in discussions, and delivering structured monologues. However, the syllabi for the Reading and Writing sections differ between the Academic and General Training formats of the exam. In the Reading section, Academic candidates encounter texts of a more academic nature, whereas General Training candidates engage with texts relevant to everyday life. Likewise, the Writing tasks in the Academic format involve summarising and analyzing information from visual data or academic texts, while General Training candidates focus on letter writing and essay composition related to general topics. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effective preparation and performance on the IELTS exam.

IELTS Writing Section

Explain how this test goes by | Contains 2 tasks - both being compulsory | Mention some facts about these two tasks such as the number of words required and what are the candidates expected to do | Similarly mention the second task too. Along with the time & no. of questions for both tasks

The IELTS Writing section consists of two tasks, both of which are compulsory for candidates. In Task 1, candidates are presented with visual information, such as graphs, charts, or diagrams, and are required to write a report summarising and describing the information provided. For Academic candidates, this task typically requires a minimum of 150 words and must be completed within 20 minutes. General Training candidates may be asked to write a letter based on the given information, also with a minimum word count of 150 and the same time constraint. In Task 2, candidates are presented with a prompt or statement on a general topic, and they must write an essay in response. Academic candidates are expected to write an essay discussing a point of view, argument, or problem, requiring a minimum of 250 words to be completed within 40 minutes. Similarly, General Training candidates must also write an essay in response to a prompt, often expressing an opinion, argument, or problem solution, with the same word count requirement and time limit. Understanding the specific requirements and time constraints for each task is essential for candidates to effectively manage their time and produce well-developed responses.

Writing- IELTS Academic

Task 1:

Introduction to Visual Information: You will be presented with visual data such as graphs, charts, tables, or diagrams.
Understanding the Information: Take a few moments to carefully examine the visual data provided. Identify key trends, comparisons, and significant points.
Writing the Report: Write a report summarising the information presented in the visual data. Your report should include an overview of the main trends or features and specific details supporting your overview.
Structure of the Report: Organise your report logically with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Use appropriate vocabulary and grammar to convey your ideas effectively.
Word Count: Aim for a minimum of 150 words for your report. Writing less than the required word count may result in a penalty.
Time Allotment: You have 20 minutes to complete Task 1.

Task 2:

Introduction to the Prompt: You will be presented with a prompt or statement on a general topic.
Understanding the Prompt: Carefully read and analyze the prompt. Identify the main point or issue being discussed and consider different perspectives or arguments related to the topic.
Formulating Your Response: Decide on your stance or opinion regarding the prompt. Develop a clear thesis statement that outlines your position and the main points you will discuss in your essay.
Writing the Essay: Write an essay responding to the prompt. Present your arguments and support them with relevant examples, facts, or personal experiences. Ensure a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Word Count: Aim for a minimum of 250 words for your essay. Writing less than the required word count may result in a penalty.
Time Allotment: You have 40 minutes to complete Task 2.
Language Use: Use formal language and appropriate vocabulary and grammar throughout your essay. Avoid slang or overly informal language.

Remember to manage your time effectively, allocate sufficient time for planning, writing, and reviewing your responses, and ensure that your writing is clear, coherent, and well-supported with evidence.

Writing- IELTS General Training

Task 1:

Introduction to the Situation: You will be presented with a scenario or situation that requires a written response.
Understanding the Task: Carefully read the instructions and the situation provided. Identify the purpose of the letter and the intended recipient (e.g., formal or informal).
Writing the Letter: Write a letter responding to the situation presented. Depending on the scenario, your letter may be formal, semi-formal, or informal in tone.
Structure of the Letter: Organise your letter appropriately with a greeting, introduction, main body paragraphs, and a closing. Tailor your language and tone to suit the situation and the intended recipient.
Word Count: Aim for a minimum of 150 words for your letter. Writing less than the required word count may result in a penalty.
Time Allotment: You have 20 minutes to complete Task 1.

Task 2:

Introduction to the Prompt: You will be presented with a prompt or statement on a general topic.
Understanding the Prompt: Carefully read and analyze the prompt. Identify the main point or issue being discussed and consider different perspectives or arguments related to the topic.
Formulating Your Response: Decide on your stance or opinion regarding the prompt. Develop a clear thesis statement that outlines your position and the main points you will discuss in your essay.
Writing the Essay: Write an essay responding to the prompt. Present your arguments and support them with relevant examples, facts, or personal experiences. Ensure a coherent organization comprising an introductory section, several body paragraphs, and a concluding segment.
Word Count: Aim for a minimum of 250 words for your essay. Writing less than the required word count may result in a penalty.
Time Allotment: You have 40 minutes to complete Task 2.8j
Language Use: Use clear and concise language appropriate for an academic essay. Avoid overly complex vocabulary or sentence structures, and ensure that your writing is coherent and easy to understand.

Remember to carefully read and follow the instructions for each task, manage your time effectively, and review your writing for errors before submitting your responses.

IELTS Reading Section

The IELTS Reading section consists of three texts of general interest, taken from newspapers, magazines, journals, or other relevant publications. These texts are selected to suit a non-specialist audience and cover a range of topics, such as social issues, science, history, or the arts. Each text is accompanied by a set of questions that assess different reading skills, including comprehension, vocabulary, and reasoning.

Types of Questions and Sections:

Multiple Choice: Candidates are required to choose the correct answer from a list of options.
Matching Information: Candidates must match statements or information to the corresponding section or paragraph in the text.
True/False/Not Given: Candidates decide whether the statements provided match the information in the text.
Sentence Completion: Candidates complete sentences using information from the text.
Summary, Note, Table, Flowchart Completion: Candidates fill in gaps in a summary, note, table, or flowchart using information from the text.
Short Answer Questions: Candidates provide brief answers to questions based on information in the text.
Diagram Labelling: Candidates label diagrams or illustrations based on information from the text.

Time and Total Number of Questions:

The Reading section consists of 40 questions in total.
Candidates have 60 minutes to complete the entire section.
It's important to manage time effectively, allowing approximately 20 minutes for each text. However, the time distribution may vary depending on individual preferences and reading speed.
Candidates should read the instructions carefully for each question type, understand the requirements, and practice a variety of question formats to familiarise themselves with the test format and improve their reading skills.

Reading- IELTS Academic

Task 1:

Introduction to Texts: You will be presented with three texts of general interest, taken from newspapers, magazines, journals, or other relevant publications. These texts are typically informative and may include diagrams, graphs, or illustrations.
Understanding the Texts: Read each text carefully, paying attention to the main ideas, supporting details, and any visual aids provided. Take notes if necessary to aid comprehension.
Answering Questions: After reading each text, answer a set of questions that assess various reading skills, such as comprehension, vocabulary, and reasoning. The questions may include multiple-choice, matching, true/false/not given, sentence completion, or summary completion formats.
Time Allotment: Allocate approximately 20 minutes for each text, including reading and answering questions.

Task 2:

Introduction to Texts: You will be presented with three more texts of general interest, similar to Task 1. These texts may cover different topics and may have varying lengths and complexities.
Understanding the Texts: Read each text carefully, focusing on understanding the main ideas, arguments, and any supporting evidence presented. Pay attention to details and make notes if necessary to aid comprehension.
Answering Questions: After reading each text, answer a new set of questions that assess similar reading skills as Task 1. Again, the questions may include multiple-choice, matching, true/false/not given, sentence completion, or summary completion formats.
Time Allotment: Allocate approximately 20 minutes for each text, including reading and answering questions.
Overall Time: The entire Reading section consists of 40 questions and lasts for 60 minutes in total. It's essential to manage your time effectively to ensure you have enough time to read the texts and answer all the questions.

Remember to read the instructions for each question type carefully, manage your time wisely, and practice a variety of question formats to familiarise yourself with the test format and improve your reading skills.

Reading- IELTS General Training

Task 1:

Introduction to Texts: You will be presented with three texts of general interest, taken from newspapers, magazines, advertisements, notices, company handbooks, or other relevant sources. These texts are typically descriptive or instructive and may include diagrams, illustrations, or advertisements.
Understanding the Texts: Read each text carefully, paying attention to the main ideas, specific details, and any instructions provided. Note important information and keywords to aid comprehension.
Answering Questions: After reading each text, answer a set of questions that assess various reading skills, such as comprehension, vocabulary, and reasoning. The questions may include multiple-choice, matching, true/false/not given, sentence completion, or summary completion formats.
Time Allotment: Allocate approximately 20 minutes for each text, including reading and answering questions.

Task 2:

Introduction to Texts: You will be presented with three more texts of general interest, similar to Task 1. These texts may cover different topics and may have varying lengths and complexities, similar to Task 1.
Understanding the Texts: Read each text carefully, focusing on understanding the main ideas, arguments, and any supporting evidence presented. Pay attention to details and make notes if necessary to aid comprehension.
Answering Questions: After reading each text, answer a new set of questions that assess similar reading skills as Task 1. Again, the questions may include multiple-choice, matching, true/false/not given, sentence completion, or summary completion formats.
Time Allotment: Allocate approximately 20 minutes for each text, including reading and answering questions.
Overall Time: The entire Reading section consists of 40 questions and lasts for 60 minutes in total. It's essential to manage your time effectively to ensure you have enough time to read the texts and answer all the questions.

IELTS Listening Section

First Two Sections:

Conversation or Monologue: The first two sections typically feature a conversation between two speakers or a monologue by one speaker. These conversations or monologues are based on everyday social situations, such as ordering food, booking tickets, or making inquiries.
Types of Questions: In these sections, you may encounter question types such as multiple-choice, matching, sentence completion, note completion, or form completion. Questions are designed to assess your ability to understand main ideas, specific details, and implied meanings in spoken English.

Next Two Sections:

Educational or Training Context: The next two sections usually focus on more academic or educational topics. These may include lectures, discussions, or presentations related to topics such as academic subjects, research findings, or training programs.
Types of Questions: Similar to the first two sections, question types in the last two sections may include multiple-choice, matching, sentence completion, note completion, or form completion. However, the content is typically more complex and may require a deeper understanding of specialized vocabulary and concepts.

Timing and Question Types:

Each section lasts for approximately 10 minutes.
There are a total of 40 questions across the four sections.
The types of questions vary within each section but generally include multiple-choice, matching, sentence completion, note completion, or form completion.
It's important to listen attentively, take notes if necessary, and manage your time effectively to answer all questions within the allocated time.

Total Time Required:

The entire Listening section lasts for approximately 40 minutes.
This includes the time for listening to the recordings and answering the questions.

By familiarising yourself with the different question types and practicing active listening skills, you can better prepare for success in the IELTS Listening section.

IELTS Speaking Section

The IELTS Speaking section is a face-to-face interview designed to assess a candidate's spoken English proficiency. It consists of three parts, each with a different focus and set of tasks.

Three Rounds:

Part 1 - Introduction and Interview: In the first part, the examiner introduces themselves and asks the candidate general questions about familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies, hobbies, or interests. This part aims to assess the candidate's ability to speak fluently and provide relevant information about themselves.

Part 2 - Long Turn: In the second part, the candidate receives a task card with a topic and prompts. They have one minute to prepare and make notes before speaking for up to two minutes on the given topic. This part evaluates the candidate's ability to speak at length on a given topic, organize their thoughts coherently, and express themselves clearly.

Part 3 - Discussion: The final part involves a discussion between the candidate and the examiner, focusing on abstract ideas, opinions, or issues related to the topic in Part 2. The examiner asks follow-up questions and engages the candidate in a deeper conversation, allowing them to demonstrate their ability to express and justify opinions, speculate, and discuss abstract concepts.

Assessment Criteria:

The Speaking section assesses the candidate's ability across four criteria:
Fluency and Coherence: How smoothly and naturally the candidate speaks, and how well they organize their ideas and link them together.
Lexical Resource: The range and accuracy of vocabulary the candidate uses to convey meaning effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The variety and accuracy of grammatical structures the candidate employs in their speech.
Pronunciation: The clarity and intelligibility of the candidate's pronunciation, including their ability to produce sounds accurately and use stress and intonation appropriately.

Total Number of Questions and Time Required:

The Speaking section consists of 11 to 14 questions in total, spread across the three parts.
The total time required for the Speaking section is approximately 11 to 14 minutes, with each part lasting between 4 to 5 minutes.
Candidates need to listen carefully to the examiner's questions, respond thoughtfully, and use the allocated time effectively to showcase their speaking abilities. Practicing speaking English on a variety of topics and familiarising oneself with the format and assessment criteria can help candidates feel more confident and perform well in the Speaking section.

Part 1: Introduction And Interview

During Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test, the examiner introduces themselves and engages in dialogue with the candidate. The candidate is asked general questions about familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies, hobbies, or interests. This part typically takes around 4 to 5 minutes.

Part 2: Long Turn

In the Long Turn section of the IELTS Speaking test, the candidate receives a task card with a topic and prompts. They have one minute to prepare and make notes before speaking for up to two minutes on the given topic. This part typically takes around 3 to 4 minutes, with approximately 1 minute for preparation and up to 2 minutes for speaking.

Part 3: Discussions

In Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test, the examiner engages the candidate in a discussion based on the topic from Part 2. The discussion delves deeper into abstract ideas, opinions, or issues related to the topic, allowing the candidate to express and justify opinions, speculate, and discuss abstract concepts. This part typically takes around 4 to 5 minutes, providing ample time for a meaningful conversation between the candidate and the examiner.

Strategies for IELTS Success

Here are some basic tips to ace the IELTS exam:

Familiarise Yourself with the Test Format: Understand the structure and format of each section of the IELTS exam, including the types of questions asked and the time allotted for each section.
Practice Regularly: Dedicate time to regular practice sessions to improve your English language skills and become familiar with the types of questions you'll encounter on the exam.
Time Management: Practice time management techniques to ensure you can complete each section of the exam within the allocated time. Allocate specific time frames for reading, writing, listening, and speaking tasks during practice sessions.
Strengthen Vocabulary: Work on expanding your vocabulary by learning new words and phrases regularly. Practice using them in different contexts to improve retention and understanding.
Enhance Grammar and Punctuation: Review basic grammar rules and practice using them correctly in written and spoken English. Pay attention to punctuation, sentence structure, and word choice to ensure clarity and coherence in your responses.
Develop Reading Skills: Read a variety of English texts, including newspapers, magazines, articles, and academic papers, to improve your reading comprehension skills. Pay attention to main ideas, supporting details, and vocabulary usage.
Improve Listening Skills: Listen to a variety of English audio materials, such as podcasts, news broadcasts, and lectures, to enhance your listening comprehension skills. Practice listening for main ideas, specific details, and tone or attitude conveyed in the spoken language.
Practice Speaking: Engage in regular speaking practice sessions with a language partner or tutor to improve fluency, pronunciation, and confidence. Focus on expressing your ideas clearly and coherently, and seek feedback to identify areas for improvement.
Review and Reflect: After completing practice tests or practice sessions, review your performance and identify areas where you can improve. Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses and adjust your study plan accordingly.
Stay Calm and Confident: On exam day, stay calm and confident in your abilities. Trust in your preparation and focus on giving your best effort during the exam.