IELTS Exam Pattern 2024: Section-wise IELTS Exam Paper Pattern, Question Types

The IELTS exam pattern is divided into four sections namely: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. All four sections have a different pattern which does not coincide with one another. The type of questions are also different for each of the sections on IELTS. Let us understand the IELTS exam pattern elaborated in the table below for Academic Test takers:

The IELTS Academic is available to test takers in the computer-delivered format and the IELTS paper-delivered format. Test-takers who opt for the IELTS computer-based test take the Listening, Writing, and Reading sections of the exam on a computer. While test-takers who opt for the IELTS paper-based test are required to take the Reading, Writing, and Listening sections on paper with either HB pencils or a pen. The Speaking section for both formats of the test is conducted face-to-face with a professional IELTS examiner. Read the Difference Between IELTS on computer vs IELTS on paper.

IELTS exam structure is simple, there are four sections and applicants have to answer questions chronologically for the IELTS sections in the following order:

• Listening
• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking

While, the first three sections have to be taken one after the other, Speaking section can be taken on that very day or it can be after 2-3 days of the exam. Unless the Speaking section is completed, the IELTS exam shall not be deemed as completed. 

No, the IELTS exam pattern is not changing in 2024. The IELTS exam pattern was restructured in 2022 and since then no changes have been propsed. Thus, applicants preparing for IELTS exam - Academic or General, can prepare with the current IELTS exam pattern guidelines only. 

Here are some tips by experts to ace your IELTS examination:

Be familiar with the syllabus: IELTS test pattern can be a little new for candidates who don't know about it . It is advised for one to be familiar with the syllabus. 

Take as many test as possible to make sure that you are aware of where you stand in the examination. 

Practice time base test as much as possible as time management will play an important role in this examination. 

Don't just be dependent on text book but learn from wherever you get like movies, English music, reading books and much more .

Conversate in English as much as possible to be fluent in the speaking section. 

To know more about the examination refer to the official website. 

Conducted by IDP, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the world’s most popular English language proficiency tests for candidates looking to pursue higher education abroad and global migration. The IELTS exam is available in two formats. The IELTS Academic and the IELTS General.

The IELTS Academic test is designed for candidates looking to pursue higher education across universities and colleges abroad. The IELTS General Test is for candidates who are looking to migrate to an English-speaking country such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the UK among others.

The IELTS exam evaluates the English speaking, writing, listening and reading skills of the candidate. Your total IELTS score will be a combination of the band scores from the four sections. You will receive IELTS scores based on each of the four skills on a band of 1 – 9, and you will also be awarded an overall band score. You can score whole (example 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half (example 5.5, 6.5, 7.5) bands in each part of the test.

The IELTS Listening section format is designed in the following manner:

Candidates listen to four recordings of native English speakers and then write their answers to the list of questions.

• Recording 1 - a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context
• Recording 2 - a monologue set in an everyday social context
• Recording 3 - a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context
• Recording 4 - a monologue on any academic subject

Types of IELTS Listening Questions

• Matching
• Multiple-choice questions
• Sentence completion
• Short answer questions

Three long texts range from factual and descriptive to discursive and analytical. The texts are selected from magazines, journals, newspapers, and books for those looking to enter universities. Apart from the IELTS format, we have also given the types of questions below.

Types of IELTS Reading Questions

• Identifying information
• Matching features
• Sentence completion
• Short-answer questions
• Identifying the author’s claims
• Multiple choice questions
• Note completion
• Diagram label questions
• Matching information & Sentence endings

The topics in the Writing section are test takers who are suitable for undergraduate and postgraduates looking to get into universities.

IELTS Writing Task 1 - The test taker gets 60 minutes to complete both tasks. One task is for 20 minutes and the other is for 40 minutes. On the IELTS Academic Module, in Task 1, a candidate has to write a summary of at least 150 words of a:

• Table or,
• Graph or,
• Process or,
• Map

Any of the above-given types of questions can be tested, thus applicants should be prepared for it.  

IELTS Writing Task 2 - Task 2 is the same for both Academic and General Training Modules, and involves an essay of at least 250 words. Candidates will be asked to write an essay in response to an argument, problem, or point of view. Make sure to give responses to both tasks formally.

The IELTS Speaking section monitors the spoken English of the candidate. Every test is recorded. Check out the format of the IELTS Speaking section below:

Applicants can prepare for the Speaking section on IELTS based on the above mentioned format.