I E L T S Exam Overview
IELTS Exam Composition
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Listening: Academic and General Training
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4 sections (30 minutes +
10 minutes transfer time)
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Reading: Academic
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Reading: General Training
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3 texts (60 minutes)
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3 sections (60 minutes)
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Writing: Academic
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Writing: General Training
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2 tasks
(Task 1 = 20 minutes/ Task
2 = 40 minutes)
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2 tasks
(Task 1 = 20 minutes/ Task
2 = 40 minutes)
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Speaking: Academic and General Training
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3 sections ( 11-14
minutes)
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·
The IELTS exam is scored according to a
9-Band scale. You will get a score for each section. The average of these
marks is your Overall Band Score.
·
The total test time is 2 hours 45 minutes.
The first three modules – Listening, Reading and Writing – must be completed
in one day. The Speaking module may be taken, at the test centre’s
discretion, in the period seven days before or after the other modules.
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IELTS PART 1: LISTENING
The Listening
module is the first part of the exam. It takes approximately 30 minutes and
consists of 4 sections. There are approximately 10 questions in each section.
You are given time to read the questions before you listen. You listen ONLY
once; while you listen, you can note your answers on the question paper. You
have some extra time at the end to transfer your answers onto an exam answer
sheet. A variety of tasks are used, chosen from the following types:
multiple-choice; short-answer questions; sentence completion;
notes/summary/diagram/flow-chart/table completion; labeling a diagram which has
numbered parts; classification; and matching.
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Section
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Type of listening texts
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1
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Two
speakers have a discussion in a social situation, e.g. talking about travel arrangements
or renting a house.
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2
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One speaker talks about a non-academic
topic, e.g. the benefits of exercise.
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3
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As many as four speakers have a discussion
in an educational or training situation, e.g. a group of students discussing
plans for giving a presentation.
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4
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This
is the longest section. One speaker gives a talk or mini lecture about a
topic of general academic interest.
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IELTS PART 2: READING
Academic Reading Module
The Reading
module is the second part of the exam. It lasts 60 minutes and consists of 40
questions. You have to read 3 texts (about 2000-2750 words in total). You should write your answers directly onto
the exam answer paper as you do NOT have extra time at the end to transfer your
answers. A variety of tasks are used, chosen from the following types:
multiple-choice; short-answer questions; sentence completion;
notes/summary/diagram/flow-chart/table completion; choosing from a "heading
bank” for identified paragraphs/sections of text; identification of writer’s
views/claims – yes, no or not given; identification of information in the text
– yes, no or not given/true, false or not given; classification, and matching
lists/phrases.
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Section
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Number and type of reading
texts
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1
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There
is one passage in each section. Texts come from books, magazines, newspapers
and journals, and are non-specialist; at least one passage contains a
detailed argument.
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2
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3
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General Training Reading
Module
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Section
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Number of texts
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Type of texts
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1
Social Survival
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two or more texts
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Usually short but containing a lot of
information. Based around everyday survival English, e.g. public information
leaflets.
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2
Training Survival
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two texts
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Usually containing information about a
university or college, e.g. services or facilities provided.
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3
General Reading
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one longer text
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General reading comprehension on any
subject.
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