IELTS Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2024 (Section Wise)

The IELTS syllabus for 2024 has not changed from previous years. The IELTS 2024 exam syllabus consists of four major sections: Reading, Speaking, Writing, and Listening. The IELTS exam has two formats namely IELTS Academic and IELTS General training. The syllabus for IELTS is similar for both formats. Candidates who are planning to apply for IELTS in 2024 must understand the IELTS exam syllabus and pattern to get a good score for top study-abroad universities.

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This Story also Contains

1. IELTS Exam Syllabus
2. IELTS Listening Syllabus
3. IELTS Reading Syllabus
4. IELTS Speaking Syllabus 2024
5. IELTS Exam Pattern
6. IELTS Syllabus Preparation Tips

The IDP IELTS syllabus includes questions like multiple-choice, matching, sentence completion, summary completion, short answer, and essay writing. IELTS reading syllabus includes 3 lengthy reading comprehension passages that include multiple choice, matching, identifying information, identifying the writer's opinion, and summarising information. IELTS listening section consists of 40 questions on a wide range of topics, including social welfare, education, and work. In the IELTS 2024 writing section, there are 2 short essay questions based on a visual prompt or a situation. Meanwhile, the IELTS exam speaking section includes 3 questions in a one-on-one conversation format.

The total IELTS duration is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The listening and reading components of the IELTS syllabus and pattern for both the IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic exam remain the same but the syllabus of the speaking and listening sections will be different. The IELTS syllabus 2024 is designed to evaluate a candidate's proficiency with the English language in academic, professional, and social settings. Read the complete article to learn more about the IELTS exam related information like syllabus, pattern, and preparation tips.

IELTS Exam Syllabus

While there are IELTS exam subjects specified, the candidates must know that there is no exact answer to what is IELTS exam syllabus is topic-wise. Topics for individual sections are chosen randomly from popular resources. So, students must focus on developing skills rather than narrowing down their preparation. The IELTS exam syllabus is a broad term that refers to the areas where prospects must strengthen their skills. There are plenty of IELTS syllabus pdf and books like the "Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS" that guide IELTS preparation.

IELTS Syllabus 2024 Overview

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IELTS Listening Syllabus

The course syllabus for the IELTS listening has four sub-sections. The first one in the IELTS syllabus for listening features a dialogue between two people that takes place in a typical social setting. A speech or monologue comprises the second section and the third is a conversation of up to four persons in an academic atmosphere. The last segment of this section is a monologue on an intellectual subject, such as an academic lecture. Every part can be heard only once. Candidates are permitted to take notes while listening to the discussions and lectures, which they can then use to guide their responses to the questions.

IELTS 2024 Listening Test Pattern

Check here: IELTS Listening Practice Test

IELTS Reading Syllabus

The IELTS reading test syllabus for the IELTS computer-based and IELTS paper pattern are the same. The IELTS exam pattern consists reading section that evaluates a test taker's proficiency by having them respond to questions after reading passages (the questions include multiple-choice, sentence completion, summary writing, matching information, short answers, etc.).

There are 13–14 questions for each passage, among a total of 40 questions in this section. A wide range of reading abilities is tested using several question types, including reading for gist, reading for major ideas, reading for detail, skimming, grasping the logical argument, and recognising writers' perspectives, attitudes, and purpose. IELTS for academic and general training has different reading passages and question types. However, there is no set IELTS test syllabus for passage topics.

IELTS Reading Section Syllabus for Academic

The IELTS syllabus 2024 for the IELTS Academic version of the reading section includes three long texts where the subject matter ranges from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical. The texts in IELTS academic syllabus are authentic and are taken from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. While there is no pre-determined IELTS syllabus for topics in the reading section, these are selected for a non-specialist audience but are appropriate for candidates entering university courses or seeking professional registration abroad.

IELTS Reading Section Syllabus for General Training

According to the IELTS exam syllabus 2024 for the General Training IELTS reading test , candidates are required to read extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks, and guidelines to cover for IELTS syllabus for reading section part. These are things that one can encounter daily in an English-speaking environment.

Practice here:

IELTS Exam Writing Syllabus

The IELTS 2024 writing section, again, is different for the two versions (Academic and General Training). In each version, the section consists of two tasks.

IELTS Writing Syllabus for Academic

The writing component of IELTS Academic includes two tasks. However, there is no specified IELTS writing syllabus. Topics are of general interest and suitable for candidates planning undergraduate and postgraduate studies abroad or seeking professional registration.

Task 1: Candidates will be presented with a graph, table, chart, or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in their own words. Test takers may be asked to describe and explain a given data, describe the stages of a process, a flowchart of how something works, or describe an object or event.

Task 2: Candidates will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. Responses to both tasks must be in a formal and academic style. Arguments should be supported by relevant examples.

IELTS Writing Syllabus for General Training

The writing component of the IELTS syllabus 2024 for General Training includes two tasks that are based on topics of general interest. The syllabus of IELTS writing may be practised by reading standard English magazines, and editorials and practising writing on a daily basis.

Task 1: Candidates will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining a given situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal, or formal in style.

Task 2: Test takers will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. The essay can be slightly more personal in style than the Academic Writing Task 2 essay. Opinions should be supported by relevant examples.

Practice here:

IELTS Speaking Syllabus 2024

According to the IELTS syllabus, the speaking test will be recorded for evaluation purposes and will consist of three parts that simulate a face-to-face oral interview with an examiner. The IELTS syllabus for the speaking component assesses the candidates’ use of spoken English and takes between 11 to 14 minutes to complete. The entire IELTS speaking is recorded by the examiner. The speaking component is delivered in such a way that it does not allow candidates to rehearse set responses beforehand.

Part 1: The examiner will ask general questions about a candidate and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies, and interests. This part lasts for about four and five minutes.

Part 2: Candidates will be given a card that asks them to talk about a particular topic. They will have one minute to prepare before speaking for two minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic to complete the second part of the speaking test.

Part 3: Test takers will be asked further questions connected to the topic in Part 2. These questions will allow candidates to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts for about four to five minutes.

The test takers should remember to use neutral English while answering questions in the speaking section and should try not to use fake accents.

IELTS Exam Pattern

The IELTS test pattern is the same for the computer-based and paper-based, with the same IELTS exam subjects in both formats. Knowing both the pattern and IELTS syllabus helps target the exam meticulously. Candidates can read the below information related to the same:

IELTS Exam Pattern 2024

As per the IELTS 2024 exam pattern, the Listening, Reading, and Writing tests are conducted in a single day while the speaking module may be taken on the same day or within seven days before or after the test.

IELTS Syllabus Preparation Tips

Targeting IELTS without knowing the various techniques and tricks is not a good strategy to score high in the exam. One of the best IELTS preparation tips is to be thorough with the test syllabus and pattern. The next step is to allow enough time to cover the total syllabus of IELTS. However, completing the IELTS syllabus means acquiring the necessary skills to perform well in the exam, in Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. Other important tips include

• Enrolling in an online course.
• Preparing for IETLS exam consistently, according to a plan.
• Keeping up regular practice through various IELTS practice tests and online interactions.

Candidates can get familiar with the IDP IELTS syllabus by solving sample papers, and syllabus books, and referring to IELTS preparation books and materials during their study for the exam. This will help them get a good IELTS score.

For section-wise IELTS preparation tips, check