IELTS 2023 Syllabus: Section-wise IELTS Exam Syllabus, Types of Questions

In this section, we are going to be looking at the IELTS exam syllabus in detail. As informed earlier, the IELTS syllabus contains a total of four sections, i.e. Reading, Speaking, Writing and Listening. While the IELTS syllabuses for the Speaking and Listening sections are the same, the IELTS exam syllabuses for the Reading and Writing sections are different for the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training formats of the exam. The IELTS exam syllabus is divided into 4 sections:

• Writing syllabus
• Reading syllabus
• Listening syllabus
• Speaking syllabus

Writing: Candidates take an academic writing module. Responses to the academic writing module are short essays or general reports, addressed to an educated non-specialist audience. There are two compulsory tasks. Task 1 requires 150 words, and candidates are asked to look at a diagram, table, or data and to present the information in their own words. Task 2 requires at least 250 words, and all candidates are presented with a point of view, argument, or problem and asked to provide general factual information, present a solution, justify an opinion, evaluate ideas and evidence, etc.

Total no. of questions: 2
Total time: 60 minutes 

Writing- IELTS Academic

• It includes two tasks wherein the topics are of general interest and relatable for candidates applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate program.
• For your first task, you will be handed a paper that would contain either a diagram, table, or graph. You will be required to recapitulate and define the given data in your own words. You may be asked to explain a certain data entry, process the given information, or a flowchart to logically arrive at a conclusion.
• In the next task, you need to write an essay as a response to your deduction from the given data and support your argument with relevant examples, through the given data. Please note that the writing style should be strictly formal.

Writing- IELTS General Training

• It also includes two tasks, yet, it is much easier than that of the academic format.
• You will be asked to write a letter as per the given situation. The letter can be formal, semi-formal, or personal depending upon the situation presented. You will be asked to explain, request something, or support your argument to a certain authority.
• Based on the above viewpoint, you will be asked to draft an essay on the same. The arguments and opinions mentioned here should be supported by relevant instances and the writing style can be a bit personal.

Reading: The reading module consists of three texts of general interest dealing with issues that are appropriate for candidates entering postgraduate or undergraduate courses. Both reading modules consist of three passages or sections with forty questions. Question types include multiple-choice, sentence, or summary completion, identifying data for short-answer questions, matching lists or phrases, and identifying writers’ views/attitudes.

Total no. of questions: About 40
Total time: 30 minutes

Reading- IELTS Academic

This includes three long paragraphs which can be either descriptive, factual or analytical. These paragraphs are basically excerpts taken from newspapers, research works, journals, books, or even magazines. Targeting a non-specialist audience, the texts are ideal for testing higher education aspirants or for professionals seeking work abroad.

Reading- IELTS General Training

Similar to the academic format, here the excerpts can be passages from advertisements, company guidelines, brochures, and so on. This is relatively easier than the academic format as the selected text is generally something that one encounters on a day-to-day basis.

Listening: The Listening module is divided into four sections. The first two conversations are concerned with social needs, while the last two are concerned with situations more closely related to education. They will all be around three minutes long. The conversations could be both monologues and dialogues. These conversations can be heard once only. A variety of question types are asked, like multiple-choice, short-answer questions, note completion, sentence completion, labeling a diagram, etc. 
Total no. of questions: 40+
Total time: 30 minutes

Sections 1 and 2 are about every day, social situations

• Recording 1: The first recording would have a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.
• Recording 2 – The second recording would happen to be a monologue set in an everyday social context.

Sections 3 and 4 are about educational and training situations

• Recording 3 – The following recording would be a conversation between four people set in an educational or training context.
• Recording 4 – And the final recording would be a monologue on an academic subject

Speaking: The Speaking part is like a structured interview with an emphasis on general speaking skills. It assesses whether candidates have the required knowledge and skills to communicate effectively with native speakers of English.
Total no. of questions: 3 parts – Personal Interview, Little Speech, and a Discussion
Total time: 11 to 14 minutes

Part 1 introduction and interview (4–5 minutes)

For the first five minutes, you will be asked some mundane questions about yourself such as family, home, studies, hobbies and interests, and so on.

Part 2 long turn (2–3 minutes)

Next, the examiner will hand you a flashcard that would contain a certain topic. You will be given a minute or two to familiarize yourself with the topic as you would need to speak on that topic for about two minutes. Post your speech, the examiner might ask a few questions based on your understanding of the topic.

Part 3 discussions (5–6 minutes)

Deeper questions and abstract discussions would take place based on the given topic and your speech. You will get the opportunity to explore your given topic and delve into deeper issues. You can expect this part to last for five-six minutes.

The IELTS exam is of two types:

IELTS Academic

IELTS Academic is for candidates who are interested in applying for higher education or professional registration to countries that use English as their fundamental language of communication. The main purpose of the examination is to judge whether a candidate is ready to begin studying or training in the English language. Countries that widely recognize IELTS for studying are the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

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IELTS General Training

IELTS General Training is for aspirants who are looking to migrate to New Zealand, Australia, Canada, US, and the UK or applying for secondary education, training programs, and work experience in an English-speaking environment. Here the examination focuses on the basic survival skills of a candidate in a broad social and workplace environment.

Also read:

• IELTS Practice Test 
• IELTS Exam: Tips to Achieve a High Score

There are two ways to prepare for IELTS: one is self-study and another is attending coaching classes. Which way you will choose depends on your language proficiency and comfort level. If you are already fluent in English, you need not attend coaching classes, you can prepare for the exam on your own. You just need to figure out when to start preparing for IELTS.

Also Read: FAQs for IELTS Exam 2023

Still, have doubts? Check out IELTS frequently asked questions and learn more about the exam and IELTS Syllabus.

Q. Is it difficult to pass the IELTS exam?

Q. What is there in the IELTS Academic Writing Paper?

Q. What is there in the IELTS Academic Reading test?

Q. What is there in the IELTS Speaking test?

Q. What is there in the IELTS Listening Test?

Q. If I have booked a test but my passport gets expired, will I be able to take the test?

Q. How to change the Speaking test date?

Q. What will happen if a candidate is not able to attempt the IELTS test?

Q. What all skills are measured by IELTS?