IELTS EXAM

IELTS test scores are valid by over 10,000 organizations in the world, including schools, colleges, universities, government departments, immigration authorities, and professional bodies. The test is structured to cover a range of skills, fully from non-user to expert users. Even with a sound knowledge of English, one must study extensively to gain a high score.
 
IELTS Exam Pattern
The IELTS exam Pattern is designed to reflect the daily life use of English in different walks of life; at the study, at work, at play, and at social gatherings. Candidates have to start the preparation by understanding the IELTS exam pattern, in such a manner to achieve the desired result. The total time for the IELTS exam is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The IELTS exam pattern contains 4 sections: Listening, Writing, Reading, and Speaking. Details about these sections are given below:
 
Test Format – Listening Section of IELTS

• Paper format: There are 4 parts with 10 questions each. You will have to listen to 4 recordings of native English speakers and then write your answers to a series of questions. The 4 recording contains: 

1. a conversation between 2 persons set in an everyday social context.
2. a monologue set in an everyday social context.
3. a conversation between up to 4 people set in an educational or training context.
4. a monologue on an academic subject.

• Time and questions: The recordings are heard only once. They can be of any English accent such as American, Australian, British New Zealand, and Canadian. You will be given approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes to transfer the answer). There will be 40 questions.
• Task types: A variety of question types are used, chosen from the following: multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labeling, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion and sentence completion.
• Answering: You have to write your answers on the question paper as you listen and at the end of the test are given 10 minutes to transfer your answers to an answer sheet. 
• Expectations from the candidate: Assessors will be looking for evidence of your ability to understand the main ideas and detailed factual information, the opinions and attitudes of speakers, the purpose of a statement, and evidence of your ability to follow the development of ideas.

Test Format – Academic Writing Section of IELTS 

• Paper format: There are 2 writing tasks in IELTS and both must be completed. Topics are of general interest to, and suitable for, candidates joining undergraduate and postgraduate studies. The two tasks are:

1. Task 1 - You will be given a graph, chart, table, or diagram and asked to describe, summarize or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, how something works, describe the stages of a process, or describe an object or event.
2. Task 2 - You have to write an essay on a point of view, argument, or problem. 

• Timings and questions: You will be allotted 60 minutes to complete the writing section of IELTS. You have to complete 2 question
• Task types: In Task 1, you are asked to describe some visual information (graph/table/chart/diagram) in your own words. You have to write your answer in 150 words in 20 minutes. In Task 2, you have to respond to a point of view or argument or problem. You have to write your answer in 250 words in 40 minutes.
• Answering: Answers must be on the answer sheet and must be written in full. Notes or bullet points are not allowable as answers. Answers should be in a formal style for both tasks.

Test Format – Academic Reading Section of IELTS 

• Paper format: Three reading passages with a variety of questions using several task types.
• Timing and questions:  You will be allotted 60 minutes to complete the reading section of IELTS. You have to complete 40 question
• Task types: Several question types are used, chosen from the following; multiple-choice, identifying information, identifying the writer’s views or claims, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, matching information, sentence completion, note completion, summary completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion and short-answer questions.
• Sources: Texts are taken from books, magazines, journals, and newspapers. All the topics are of general interest. The passages may be written in various styles, for example, narrative, discursive, descriptive, or argumentative. Texts may contain diagrams, graphs, or illustrations. 
• Answering: You are required to transfer their answers to an answer sheet during the time allowed for the test. No extra time is allowed for transfer. 

Test Format – Speaking Section of IELTS 
The IELTS speaking section evaluates your use of spoken English. Every test is recorded. There are 3 parts:

1. Part 1 - You will be asked general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, studies, work, and interests. This part lasts between 4 and 5 minutes.
2. Part 2  - You will be given a card that asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will be given 1 minute to prepare before speaking for up to 2 minutes. The examiner will then put 1 or 2 questions on the same topic.
3. Part 3 - You will be asked further questions about the same Part 2 topic. You will get a chance to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test completes between 4 and 5 minutes.

• Paper format: The Speaking test of IELTS consists of an oral interview. All Speaking tests are recorded.
• Timing: You will have 11–14 minutes to complete this section.
• Task types: There are 3 parts to the test and each part fulfills a specific function in terms of interaction pattern, task input, and test-takers output.

You have to appear for the Listening, Reading, and Writing tests one after the other without any breaks in between the sections. The Speaking section may be taken within the time of 7 days before or after the other section. The IELTS scores are marked on a scale of 9-bands.