We all know IELTS is one of the standard exams that acts as preliminary eligibility to study, work, or migrate abroad. However, it is broadly of two types, IELTS Academic and General Training designed for different purposes. Meanwhile, the IELTS Academic Test given by the candidate likes to pursue higher studies abroad. However, in this blog, we are gonna take a brief look at what the IELTS Academic Test format looks like.
IELTS Academic Test Format In Detail
Listening :
This paper has 4 sections each containing 10 questions. The questions are arranged in the same order as the recordings. You need to hear the recording to deliver the answer in your textbook.
Course Pattern In Short :
Time Allowed : Approx. 30 minutes(+10 minutes transfer time)
Number of section : 4(each containing 10 questions)
Total number of questions : 40
Listening Task Types :
1. Multiple Choice Questions : In this section of the paper, you are given a recording to hear on behalf of which you have to go through the MCQs. Sometimes you need to choose only a single answer, sometimes more as is specified in the question. So, it is important to read the question with attention. This is to test the skills of a candidate to understand the main points of the recording given to hear.
2. Matching : Here you are required to match the list of items from the recording to the options on the question paper. Here the respective recording has a conversation between two people. You have to understand information about hotel or guest house accommodation. Also it requires you to link facts to each other.
3. Plan, Map or Diagram Labelling : You are given visuals which may be a diagram, set of pictures, plan, process, or map. You are required to do correct labelling depending on the information given in the recording.Here you are required to follow the little process as:
- Hear the recording attentively for the directions.
- Select the answer from the question paper, note its Letter.
- Follow the instructions precisely.
- Use the words from the recording to fill the gaps.
- Stick to the word limit provided otherwise you will lose the marks.
4. Form, Table, Flowchart, Note or Summary Completion : You are required to hear the recording carefully and fill in the gaps given in the structure of tables, flowcharts, form, summary etc. Here also you have to follow the process as is expected to be followed in the previous question type for better grades
5. Sentence completion : In this question, you are required to go through the sentences written on the question booklet that summarise information from the listening text. You must fill the gap in each sentence collecting the information from the recording for scoring points.
6. Short-answer questions : These include the short answer type questions that you will have to write on the basis of knowledge you gained from the recording. The recording generally contains facts like prices, places or times. Here, it is also important to adhere to the word limit to prevent yourself from losing any valuable points.
Reading :
Here in this task of Reading you are given long passages followed by questions. You are required to provide your answer as per the context of the respective passage for each question asked. The Passages are given from the topic of general interest taken from books, newspapers, journals, etc. This test is conducted to analyze the understanding skill of the candidate. Candidates need to find the core concept of the text to provide the right answers.Candidates are given 60 minutes including transfer time to complete this section of the test. It contains 3 sections consisting of 40 questions in total.
Course Pattern In Short :
- Time allowed: 60 minutes (including transfer time)
- Number of sections: 3
- Number of questions: 40
Reading Task Types :
- Academic Reading Question Type 1 – Multiple Choice
This question type of the test has multiple choice questions from which you are required to mark the correct option. This is to be done based on the understanding of the text given.
- Academic Reading Question Type 2 – Identifying information (True/False/Not given)
Here in this question type you are given a few statements which you are to evaluate whether they are true or false. However, if there is nothing given in the text regarding the sentence you must have entered “not given” in the box to secure a mark.
- Academic Reading Question Type 3 – Identifying writer’s views/claims (Yes/No/Not given)
These types of questions are the same as the previous type. You also have to do the same, write Yes if the statement is correct as per the text given, otherwise write No if the statement contradicts and Not given if nothing is given regarding the question in the text.
- Academic Reading Question Type 4 – Matching information
In this task, you're tasked with locating specific information within paragraphs or sections labelled with letters (A, B, C, etc.). You'll write the letters of the correct paragraphs or sections in the designated boxes on your answer sheet. Some paragraphs or sections may be used multiple times, as indicated by the instructions.
- Academic Reading Question Type 5 – Matching headings
In this type of question, Roman numerals denote headings while letters represent paragraphs or sections. The task involves matching each heading with the corresponding paragraph or section, ensuring each heading is used only once. Some headings may remain unused, and each paragraph or section should be matched with a single heading.
- Academic Reading Question Type 6 – Matching features
In this type of question, statements or pieces of information must be matched to a list of options represented by letters. Options typically correspond to features from the text, such as descriptions of inventions paired with their inventors. Some options may remain unused, while others might be used multiple times depending on the instructions.
- Academic Reading Question Type 7 – Matching sentence endings
In these questions, you're provided with the first half of a sentence derived from the text's information. Your task is to select the most suitable ending from a list of options identified by letters. Sentence endings outnumber beginnings, so not all endings will be utilised, and you'll match them accordingly on the answer sheet.
- Academic Reading Question Type 8 – Sentence completion
In this type of question, you have to fill in a gap in each sentence by choosing words from the text. You must write the words you choose on the answer sheet.
- Academic Reading Question Type 9 – Summary/note/table/flow-chart completion
This question type evaluates your understanding of text by requiring you to fill in gaps with suitable words or phrases drawn from the text. It assesses your ability to grasp both specific details and overarching concepts.
- Academic Reading Question Type 10 – Diagram label completion
This question format requires you to accurately label a diagram based on information provided in the text, ensuring adherence to specified word limits. It assesses your ability to extract relevant details and apply them effectively in a visual context.
- Academic Reading Question Type 11 – Short-answer questions
In this type of question, you have to answer questions about factual details in the text. You must write your answers in words or numbers on the answer sheet. Answers must be taken from words in the text. A word limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER’.
Writing :In the writing section of an IELTS Academic Test, you are given two tasks to pass this section of the test. This section assesses the ability of an individual to write complex ideas, knowledge of one’s vocabulary and grammar. The two tasks thus are :
Task 1: Describe visual information in your own wordsIn this very first task of the writing test, you are given a picture to elaborate it in 150 words. The picture may contain a graph, diagram, process, or mix. You are expected to describe, summarise, and explain the given picture in your own words. You can write over 150 words but writing less than that can make you lose points.
Task 2: Write an essayIn this task, you are given a topic to write about in 250 words. Your content should be relevant to the topic. You must write the content in a passage rather than adopting a bullet-and-note style to score good.
Course Pattern In Short
Speaking
The Speaking section of an IELTS Academic Test analyses the speaking skills of an individual. In this test examiner assessment criteria are based on four aspects of your speaking. These are fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. It contains three parts which are as follows:
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
Under this assessment, firstly, the examiner first introduces himself to you and then asks general questions on familiar topics. The questions thus related to family, home, interests, studies, and work. It generally takes 4-5 minutes to finish.
Part 2: Long Turn
In this task you are given a task card having a certain topic and they are expected to speak on it thoroughly for 2 minutes straight. You may be asked one or two questions based on your speech. It lasts 3-4 minutes including preparation time.
Part 3: Discussion
Now, the examiner will go into depth with their questions discussing issues related to the topic given in Part 2 above. The discussion happens in a more general and abstract way and in greater depth. It revolves around a time of 4-5 minutes.
Course Pattern In Short
Conclusion
IELTS Is a prevalent exam required to go abroad for study, work, or PR. However, the IELTS Academic test is one of the two types of it that allow candidates to pursue higher education abroad. It contains four papers which are Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Although we have discussed the IELTS Academic test here, for more details you can check our dedicated pages for each of them.
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