IELTS 2023 : Exam Syllabus

 IELTS Exam Outline 2023

The IELTS exam is organized by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge ESOL Exams. It is available in two types: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. The IELTS tests how well people can use English, especially those who want to study or work where English is the main way to communicate. The test checks your abilities in listening, reading, writing, and speaking English. Please remember that the listening and speaking parts of the test are the same in both the Academic and General Training versions. But the reading and writing parts are set up differently in these two versions. Based on the rules for the IELTS exam, anyone can take it because there are no special requirements. The lowest IELTS score you need to get into a school or move to a country where people talk in English depends on the school and what you want to study there. If you want to move to another country, the immigration laws of that country will decide what IELTS score you need.

IELTS Syllabus 2023

Section	Number of Questions & Duration	Content	Marks
Listening	4 Recordings 40 Questions 30 Minutes + 10 minutes transfer time	Four recorded monologues and conversations	1 mark per question
Reading	40 Questions 60 minutes	3 Passages (can be descriptive, analytical, factual or discursive)	1 mark per question
Writing	2 Questions 60 minutes	Writing task (Minimum 150 words) Essay (minimum 250 words)	Each task is assessed independently. The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1.
Speaking	3 Questions 11-14 minutes	Part 1: Q&A Part 2: Speaking in detail on a familiar topic Part 3: Structure Discussion

Exam Pattern of IELTS 2023

Exam Variant	Total Duration	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking	Score Pattern & Range
Paper-Based IELTS Test	174 minutes	30 + 10 = 40 (Answer Transfer Time)	60	60	11 to 14	0 – 9 Bands with a possibility of 0.5 band intervals.
Computer-Based IELTS Test	164 minutes	30	60	60	11 to 14	0 – 9 Bands with a possibility of 0.5 band intervals.

 

IELTS Test Format

1. IELTS Academic and General Listening

• General Rules and Guidelines
• Can use both British and American spelling but should stick to one typeThe answer sheet has two sides One for the Listening test / One for the Reading test 04 Sections / 40 Questions.At the end, Candidates will be given 10 minutes to copy the answers onto the answer sheet

IELTS Listening Format

Section 1 : Conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.
Section 2: Monologue (A talk by a single speaker based on a non-academic situation,

e.g. in a film, play etc.)
Section 3: Conversation (Four Speakers -based on academic topics or course-related situations)Section 4: Academic Lecture (Monologue)

 

2. IELTS Reading (Different for Academic and General Training Modules)

General Rules and Guideline

• All candidates are required to read three texts of between 2,150-2,750 words

• The texts and questions increase in difficulty

• All answers should be recorded on the answer sheet within 60 minutes. (ZERO score)

• Each question is worth one mark

• No penalty for wrong answers

• Spelling is important – can use both British and American spelling

• No Transfer time is Given

IELTS Reading Format

• Texts are taken from books, magazines, journals, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks, and guidelines.

• All written for a non-specialist audience

• At least one of the text contains a detailed argument

• 3 sections

• Text range from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical

• May contain non-verbal materials such as diagrams

• Length and Difficulty level of reading passages increase with each passage.

•  Passages are different and shorter for General Training IELTS

• Questions Vary from Summary Completion, Matching Heading to Paragraphs, Yes/ no /not given, True/ False/ Not Given, Multiple Choice questions, Table completion, Matching Information, Sentence completion and short Answers.

• 
  

3. Writing (Different for Academic and General Training Modules)

General Rules and Guideline 

• Allocate about 20 minutes Task 1

• Allocate about 40 minutes Task 2

• Task 2 is worth more marks

IELTS Writing Format:

• Task 1 (IELTS ACADEMIC) Presents a table, graph, chart or diagram. The candidate must describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, describe an event or an object. (150 words approx.)

• Task 1 (IELTS GENERAL TRAINING) Presents a letter to be written. The content required in the letter can be either

1. Informal (To a friend, family member etc.)

2. Semi-Formal (To a colleague, teacher etc.)

3. Formal (Professional announcements, Letters of recommendation etc.)

• Task 2 (Same for IELTS ACADEMIC and GENERAL TRAINING IELTS) Write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem (250 words approx.)

 

4. IELTS Speaking (Same for Academic and General Training):

• When the student enters the exam room:

• Smile and act confident

• Look at the examiner in the eyes

• Confidently introduce oneself

• Eliminate nervous gestures

• Wear smart clothing

• Speak clearly

• Project your voice

•  Avoid repeating phrases

• Always say more than Yes or No

• Time: 11 – 14 minutes

• All Speaking tests are recorded

IELTS Speaking Format:

• Part 1 (Introduction): This section of the test lasts 4-5 minutes and in it the student may need to give longer answers to questions to ensure they show their best ability. Part 1 will see the examiner ask questions that will require the exam taker to talk about themselves, about their likes and dislikes etc.

• Part 2 (Individual Talk): The Candidate is given a verbal prompt on a card and is asked to talk on a particular topic. 1 minute preparation time before being asked to speak at length for up to 2 minutes. The examiner then asks 1 or 2 rounding-off questions.

• Part 3 (Discussion Topics): The examiner and candidate engage in a discussion of more abstract issues and concepts which are linked to the topic in Part 2. The discussion lasts between 4 and 5 minutes. The examiner will ask questions that will reveal the Opinions and views of the test taker. Answers In part 3 will be longer and more detailed than in part 1.

Format Of IELTS Listening Section

Number of Recordings	4
Duration	30 minutes (10 minutes transfer time)
Marking	1 mark for each correct answer
Number of  Questions	40 (10 in each part)
Part 1 (Audio 1)	An audio recording in which a conversion between two people in an everyday social context will be included.
Part 2 (Audio 2)	An audio recording with a monologue set in an everyday social context will be included.
Part 3 (Audio 3)	A conversation between people up to four, set in an educational or training context will be included.
Part 4 (Audio 4)	An audio recording with a monologue on an academic subject will be included.

 

Types Of Questions In IELTS Listening Section

• Multiple Choice Questions 

• Matching 

• Plan, Map and Diagram Labelling 

• Sentence Completion 

• Form, Note, Table, Flow- chart, Summary Completion

 

Format Of IELTS Reading Section

Parts	3 Passages
Duration	60 minutes
No. of Questions	40
Marks	1 mark for each correct answer

 

Types Of Questions In IELTS Reading Section

• Multiple Choice

• Identifying Information

• Identifying 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

 

Format Of IELTS Writing Section

Task	2
Duration	60 minutes
Task 1	Candidates need to describe, explain or summarise data, processes or events presented through charts, tables, graphs or diagrams
Task 2	Candidates need to write an essay in response to a view, problem or argument.

 

Format Of IELTS Speaking Section

Parts	Oral Interview (3 Parts)
Duration	11–14 minutes
Part 1	The examiner asks general questions about the candidate and things associated with him/ her like family details, studies, interests, home and work etc.
Part 2	The examiner asks the candidate to pick up a card and speak on the topic mentioned on the card. The examiner will also ask one or two questions related to the topic.
Part 3	The examiner asks further questions related to the topics in Part 2. This gives the candidate an opportunity to discuss more and provide abstract ideas and issues.