IELTS Exam Pattern 2025: Check IELTS Test Structure (Section-wise), Paper Pattern

International English Language Testing System ( IELTS )

Raushan Kumar
Updated on Oct 15, 2025 14:00 IST

By Raushan Kumar, Assistant Manager Content

The IELTS exam pattern 2025 comprises four sections; Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The candidates are tested on these four parameters on IELTS exam and are then given an IELTS exam band score. The test duration of IELTS exam is almost 2 hours 45 minutes. You give Listening, Reading and Writing tests together on same day mostly. The Speaking test is different one, like small face-to-face talk, sometimes happens same day or even a few days before or after. Everyone gets same Listening and Speaking test, but Reading and Writing not same for all. It changes if you taking IELTS Academic test or IELTS General Training test.

Q:   What is the structure of IELTS exam?
A: 

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

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. 

Q:   What is the total duration of the IELTS exam?
A: 

The total test time for IELTS exam is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Q:   What is the syllabus of IELTS exam?
A: 

The IELTS exam syllabus can be checked from below.

IELTS Academic Sections

Section Description

IELTS Listening Section

Test takers will have to listen to recorded texts and answer questions accordingly. On this section, there are:

  • 4 recorded texts

  • 40 questions 

IELTS Reading Section

Test takers would be given lengthy passages to read and answer corresponding questions. There are:

  • 3 passages

  • 40 questions

IELTS Writing Section

Candidates would be required to attempt two tasks addressing topics of broad relevance:

  • Writing Task 1 (150 words)

  • Writing Task 2 (250 words)

IELTS Speaking Section

Divided into 3 parts, the Speaking Section will require the candidates to:

  • Answer general questions about themselves

  • Talk on a particular topic on cue cards and,

  • Answer questions connected to Part 2.

Table of content
  • IELTS Exam Pattern 2025
  • IELTS Test Format: Academic vs General Training
  • IELTS Exam Pattern and Marks Distribution
  • IELTS Exam Syllabus
  • IELTS Exam Question Paper Pattern 2025
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IELTS Exam Pattern 2025

The following table briefly explains the IELTS exam pattern for the Academic Test for aspirants planning to apply for the exam soon. Each section is important to score well in the IELTS exam. 

Paper Total Questions Time
IELTS Listening 40 questions 30 minutes + (10 minutes' transfer time for the paper-based test)
IELTS Reading 40 questions 60 minutes
IELTS Writing 2 tasks 60 minutes
IELTS Speaking 3 parts 11–14 minutes

The IELTS Listening, Reading and Writing all done same day no breaks. The Speaking test can be before or after other tests by some days. You should check IELTS format first then start your IELTS preparation. The IELTS test score is very important for selection. The infographic below shows section wise IELTS pattern details.

IELTS paper pattern
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How can I practice for the IELTS exam?
A: 

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. 

Q:   How can I take IELTS exam?
A: 
You will have it book it through for example, British Council or IDP. You will choose the location and date for your exam. You will need to choose general or academic format of IELTS exam meaning which type of IELTS format you must appear. For example, for migration to Canada it needs IELTS and for studies it needs academic. Make sure to book the exam well beforehand so that you set your mind properly and prepare seriously.







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IELTS Test Format: Academic vs General Training

IELTS Academic is for you if you want to study undergraduate or postgraduate or get professional registration in English-speaking country. IELTS General Training is for you if you want to work, migrate or do training in English-speaking country. The big difference is in Reading and Writing. In Academic you get more academic reading and Writing Task 1 is report on chart or diagram. In General Training you read daily life stuff and Task 1 is writing a letter. The difference between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training is given below.

Category

IELTS Academic

IELTS General Training

Purpose

For study abroad, college or university admissions

For PR, immigration, or job visa

Reading part

3 long academic texts (from journals, books, or articles)

Extracts from ads, notices, manuals, and general interest materials

Writing part

  • Task 1: Write about graph/chart
  • Task 2: Write an essay
  • Task 1: Write a letter
  • Task 2: Write an essay 

Listening part

Same as General (4 recordings, 40 questions)

Same as Academic (4 recordings, 40 questions)

Speaking part

Same – 3 parts with real person, talk about yourself, topic & follow-up

Same – 3 parts with real person, talk about yourself, topic & follow-up

Who should take?

People going for higher studies or professional work (like nurses, engineers)

People going for immigration, jobs, or training

Test score

Band score from 1 to 9

Band score from 1 to 9

Valid for

2 years

2 years

Do you want more? Check IELTS Academic vs General Tests for a detailed understanding. 

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is the IELTS Academic more difficult than the General Training test?
A: 

Both IELTS Academic and General Training tests are more or less similar. However, IELTS Academic can be said to be on the tougher side. The IELTS Speaking and Listening sections are common in both test types. However, the IELTS Reading and Writing sections are different for both.

Q:   Can IELTS Academic be used instead of General IELTS?
A: 

This will depend on your purpose of going abroad. If you are planning to study in a foreign country, you can't study there with your IELTS General test score. 

Q:   How can I prepare for IELTS Academic exam?
A: 

To get ready for the IELTS academic exam, you can do some easy steps.

  • First know the test format. Like what type of questions will come and how many parts are there.
  • Take some study books or practice papers. They help you to learn and understand the exam.
  • Try some mock test. It feels like real exam and you can see where you are weak and where you are strong.
  • Make your English better. 
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IELTS Exam Pattern and Marks Distribution

The IELTS marking scheme is on 9-band scale. Score start from 1 Non-user to 9 Expert user. Every part; Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking has a seperate score. The overall band score is average of all four, rounded to nearest half or full band. Listening and Reading marked by correct answers out of 40. Writing and Speaking checked by examiner. They look at coherence, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Do IELTS question papers repeat?
A: 

IELTS question papers do not repeat exactly, but similar topics and question types may appear. It is important to practice a wide range of questions from IELTS mock test PDF to prepare for different scenarios. 

Q:   Is IELTS exam hard to crack?
A: 

The difficulty of IELTS exam is not same for everyone. It depends on your English level and how much you prepare. Many students find IELTS Writing and IELTS Speaking little hard because you need good ideas and fluency.

But if you do practice and know the test format, the exam becomes easy. Focus more on your weak areas and you can get a good band score.

Q:   How do I pass IELTS in 15 days?
A: 

If you want to pass IELTS in 15 days, you have to study hard. First, take a practice test to know what you are good at and what is weak. Make a plan for all parts – Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking. Do practice every day for few hours. Use IELTS books and online stuff. Talk in English with friends. Learn new words and simple grammar to do better.

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IELTS Exam Syllabus

The IELTS syllabus has 4 parts: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Both Academic and General Training have same Listening and Speaking. Reading and Writing little bit different for each. You get different question types and tasks for Academic or General Training.

IELTS Syllabus Overview 

Module

Content

Academic vs General Training

Listening

Four recordings with talks and conversations. Total 40 questions. Each recording plays once.

Same for Academic and General Training

Reading

40 questions from 3 long passages (Academic) or 3 short texts (General Training)

Academic: 3 long academic passages

General Training: 3 short sections about daily life and work

Writing

2 tasks in 60 minutes

Academic: Task 1 report on chart or graph, Task 2 essay

General Training: Task 1 letter, Task 2 essay

Speaking

Face-to-face interview with examiner in 3 parts

Same for Academic and General Training

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What are the various subjects in IELTS exam?
A: 

IELTS subject means the 4 component of the test. The IELTS test is divided into four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

Q:   Is the IELTS syllabus different for Academic and General?
A: 

Yes. The Reading and Writing sections differ between the two formats of IELTS Academic and General, while Listening and Speaking are the same in both format.

Q:   How long does each section of the IELTS exam take?
A: 

The IELTS exam syllabus has been divided in four section. The time duration for each section of IELTS are:

  • Listening: 30 minutes
  • Reading: 60 minutes
  • Writing: 60 minutes
  • Speaking: 11-14 minutes
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IELTS Exam Question Paper Pattern 2025

Since there are two types of IELTS - Academic and General Training, and all test takers take the same Listening and Speaking tests but different Reading and Writing tests, you need to prepare for the right type of test. We will discuss about IELTS exam format section-wise in this particular section. 

IELTS Sections

Testing Format

Testing Style

Listening

Audio recordings

There are 9 types of questions like - Matching, MCQs, Note completion, Summary completion, etc.

Reading

Academic comprehensions

12 question types tested like MCQ, True/False/NA, Matching Headings/Claims, etc.

Writing

Writing tasks

Academic or Report writing task (e.g., graph, chart, diagram) in Task 1

Essay in Task 2

Speaking

Interview face to face

Part 1: Personal topics (about yourself)

Part 2: Prepared talk on a given topic (cue card)

Part 3: Follow-up questions on the topic above

Candidates can check the question format of each section of IELTS from below.

IELTS Listening

  • 4 recordings 

  • 40 questions

  • Fill up, MCQ, matching

IELTS Reading

  • 3 long texts

  • 40 questions

  • Based on factual info, opinions, and arguments

IELTS Writing

  • Task 1: Describe a graph/process/letter

  • Task 2: Essay on a topic

IELTS Speaking

  • Part 1: Introduction & general questions

  • Part 2: Cue card topic

  • Part 3: Discussion

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the IELTS Reading section format?
A: 

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

Q:   What is the IELTS Listening section format?
A: 

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

To improve your vocabulary check out: Vocabulary for IELTS

Q:   How is the IELTS Speaking section format designed?
A: 

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:

Parts on IELTS Speaking Description
IELTS Speaking Part 1: General Questions about the CandidateThe examiner will ask the test taker general questions about you and familiar topics like work, studies, or home. The first part is of four to five minutes.
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Cue Card + Follow-up QuestionsThe test taker will be given a card that asks him about a specific topic. Here, you will be given one minute to prepare before speaking for two minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the selected topic.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Discussion with the ExaminerThe test taker will be asked questions about the topic selected in Part 2. Here, you will get the opportunity to discuss more about the ideas and issues. This part lasts for four to five minutes.

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

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