IELTS Exam Structure 2022

By About IELTS Last updated Apr 7, 2022

IELTS Exam Structure covers four necessary language skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
The IELTS test assesses your listening, reading, writing, and speaking abilities in less than three hours. There are two types of IELTS test: Academic and General Training

Table of Contents

International English Language Testing System

IELTS is an English exam that must be taken by international applicants who plan to work, study, or migrate to a country where the primary language of communication is English. Among the most popular countries accepting IELTS for college admission are the UK, Australia, Australia, New Zealand, US. And Canada. The exam mainly measures candidates’ ability to listen, read, speak, and communicate in writing in four basic English skills. The IELTS exam is conducted jointly by IDP Education Australia Australia, the British Council, and Cambridge English Language Assessment. The number of IELTS tests grew to 3.5 million in 2018, making it a leader in international higher education. It is accepted in 100% of the UK and Australia Australian universities. It is also recognized at more than 4,400 establishments in the United States and thousands of institutions in English-speaking countries.

Why do I need an IELTS test?

The IELTS 2020 test is mandatory for academic and international migration purposes in English speaking countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada.

IELTS is the only English test approved by the United Kingdom Visa Immigration Service (UKVI) for visa applicants applying both outsides and within the UK. Many students get confused as to why they need an IELTS score. The simple answer to this is that foreign universities and visa granting authorities need to make sure that you don’t have communication problems while in the country. You must demonstrate a good understanding of English and strong commands, which is why your overall IELTS score is so important.

Another common question students have is whether IELTS is a required test. No, IELTS is not required for all college admissions. Many colleges may not even require an IELTS score for admission. However, keep in mind that without an IELTS score, visa staff may not be confident in your English proficiency without an IELTS score, which can reduce your chances of obtaining a student visa. Therefore, it is safer to compete in IELTS and aim to win at least 6 bands in total. You can take the IELTS test up to once a week (four times a month) at the British Council or IDP. The British Council and IDP have a global program of 48 trial days per year.

Questions about IELTS eligibility

Anyone can take the IELTS regardless of age, race, gender, nationality, or religion. However, the IELTS test is not recommended for anyone under the age of 16.

What is the age limit for giving the IELTS exam?

The minimum age for language requirements to obtain Canadian citizenship decreased: Due to changes in the Canadian Citizenship Act, the minimum age at which applicants must demonstrate their language skills in order to obtain Canadian citizenship has been lowered. As of June 2015, applicants between the ages of 14 and 64 wishing to move to Canada must meet the language requirements set by the Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Authorities (CIC).

How many attempts can I give on IELTS?

The IELTS authorities do not impose any restrictions on the IELTS exam. You can take IELTS as many times as you like until you have achieved the desired / target score. However, you have to pay for the IELTS test for each attempt.

What training qualifies for the IELTS exam?

As of, there are no minimum admission criteria for IELTS as set by the IELTS managing bodies. Anyone who wants to do a higher education abroad or work abroad can take the IELTS exam (both academic and general). However, applicants should always review the institution’s selection criteria or organization to which they are applying.

IELTS can be taken on Paper or Computer

Paper-based IELTS

This test requires candidates to sit at a desk with questions and answer sheets to read, listen, and write in an official IELTS test center. The examinee will write his answer with both a pen and an HB pencil. The oral test is done face to face with a trained IELTS examiner.

Computer-delivered IELTS

This test requires the candidate to perform the test on three modules: reading, listening, and writing on a computer that displays the test in an authorized IELTS test center. Candidates then use the keyboard and mouse to submit their answers. The speaking test is done face-to-face with a trained IELTS examiner, not on a computer.

IELTS Exam Structure

IELTS Exam Structure covers four necessary language skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

The Academic and General Training modules have separate reading and writing papers but are tested on the same Listening and Speaking modules.

IELTS Structure
Listening	4 Sections, 40 dialogues	40 minutes
Reading	3 texts, 40 questions	60 minutes
Writing	2 tasks (150 and 250 words)	60 minutes
Speaking	3 dialogues	~15 minutes

IELTS Band Scale

You will be given a score of 1 to 9 for each part of the test – listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Average makes up your overall score. You can score full (e.g., 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half (e.g., 5.5, 6.5, 7.5) in each part of the test.

IELTS 9-Band Scale
9	Expert use
8	Excellent or Perfect user
7	Good user
6	Competent
5	Modest
4	Limited
3	Extremely limited
2	Intermittent
1	Non – user
0	Did not attempt the test

Different institutions and organizations accept different band scores for various purposes. See the band score requirements for individual institutions on the IELTS website: www.ielts.org or check with your institute or organization.

One does not pass or fail in an IELTS exam. Instead, all test results are reported on an exact 9-band scale (1, minimum, 9, maximum), as shown in the opposite table. Candidates receive an overall band score and an individual score for each test component (listening, reading, writing, speaking). Each mark on the component has the same weight. The overall band score is calculated based on the average of the sums of the four individual components. The overall band score is reported to the nearest full or half band.

Listening Test
Band Score	Correct Answers
9	39-40
8.5	37-38
8	35-36
7.5	32-34
7	30-31
6.5	26-29
6	23-25
5.5	18-22
5	16-17
4.5	13-15
4	11-12

Academic Reading Test
Band Score	Correct Answers
9	39-40
8.5	37-38
8	35-36
7.5	33-34
7	30-32
6.5	27-29
6	23-26
5.5	19-22
5	15-18
4.5	13-14
4	10-12

General Reading Test
Band Score	Correct Answers
9	40
8.5	39
8	37-38
7.5	36
7	34-35
6.5	32-33
6	30-31
5.5	27-29
5	23-26
4.5	19-22
4	15-18

Writing Test
Criterion	Weighting
Task achievement and Task response	25%
Coherence and cohesion	25%
Lexical resource	25%
Grammatical range and accuracy	25%

Speaking Test
Criterion	Weighting
Fluency and coherence	25%
Lexical resource	25%
Grammatical range and accuracy	25%
Pronunciation	25%

The IELTS test provides an accurate impression of a candidate’s language skills and abilities at any given point in time. Skills and abilities will inevitably decrease over time if not used. It is recommended that a test report form that is more than two years old be accepted if there is evidence that the candidate is actively maintaining or improving their English.

IELTS Test Format

The IELTS test assesses your listening, reading, writing, and speaking abilities in less than three hours. There are two types of IELTS test: Academic and General Training

Speaking and Listening exams are the same for both tests, but Reading and Writing are different depending on which exam you opt for. The listening, reading, and writing sections of both IELTS tests will be done on a single day, with no breaks in between. However, a speaking test can be completed up to a week before or after other tests. Your test center will advise for the same. The total exam time is 2 hours 45 minutes.

IELTS Listening Test 30 minutes

You will listen to four recordings by native English speakers and then write your answers in a series of questions.

Recording 1 – Conversation between two people in an everyday social context.
Recording 2 – Monologue in an everyday social context, e.g., a welcome talk for two college students.
Recording 3 – A conversation between two to four people, a university teacher and a student, discusses student assignments in an academic or training context.
Recording 4 – Monologue on an academic subject, e.g., University Lecture.

Examiners look for proof of your ability to understand key ideas and detailed factual information, speakers’ opinions and attitudes, the purpose of the speech, and your ability to follow the development of ideas.

In a computer-delivered listening test, the time is slightly different from a paper-based test. In the paper-based test, the candidates have to transfer answers to an answer sheet. This step is not needed when answering directly on the computer.

IELTS Reading Academic Test 60 minutes

The Reading section includes 40 questions designed to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for details, skimming, understanding logical arguments, recognizing writers’ opinions, points of view, and goals.

IELTS Academic Test: Includes three long texts ranging from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical. These would be from books, magazines, publications, and newspapers.

They have been selected for an unspecialized audience but are suitable for people applying for university courses or wishing to enroll in a professional setting.

IELTS Reading General Test 60 Minutes

The Reading section has 40 questions meant to examine your reading abilities.

These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, a judgment of logical argument, and recognizing writers’ opinions, attitudes, and purpose.

The IELTS General Training test is an excerpt from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, reference books, and company manuals. These are materials that you may encounter daily in an English-speaking environment.

IELTS Academic Writing Test 60 Minutes

Topics are of general interest and are relevant for professionals pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies and looking to enter a professional setting. There are two tasks:

Task 1 – you will be presented with a graph, table, graphs, or diagram and asked to interpret, summarize, or express the information in your own words. You will explain the data, explain the process’s steps, how something works, or describe an item or an event.

Task 2 – You will write an essay in response to the point of view, argument, or problem. The answers to both tasks should be in a formal manner.

IELTS General Writing Test 60 Minutes

Topics are of general interest. It has two tasks:

Task 1 – you are presented with a situation will write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. The letter can be personal, semi-formal, or formal.

Task 2 – You will write an essay in response to the point of view, argument, or problem. The essay can be kind of personal in style.

IELTS Speaking Test 11-14 Minutes Speaking

The Speaking section assesses your English usage. Each test will get recorded.

Part 1 – The examiner asks general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics such as home, family, work, study, and interests. This part lasts 4 to 5 minutes.

Part 2 – You will be presented with a cue card asking you to talk about a particular topic. Before talking for 2 minutes, you need to prepare for 1 minute. The examiner then asks a few questions on the same subject.

Part 3 – Examiner will ask more questions about the topic given to you in part 2. It allows you to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts 4-5 minutes.