Understanding the IELTS question pattern is the first and most important step in your preparation. The exam is designed to test your English proficiency across four key skills, and each module has a distinct structure and set of question types. By knowing what to expect, you can develop targeted strategies and manage your time effectively on test day.
At Banglay IELTS, founded by Rashed Hossain, we provide the expert guidance needed to master this pattern. Our personalized teaching focuses on practical strategies for each module, giving our students in Bangladesh the confidence to achieve their target scores.
What is the overall IELTS exam pattern?
The IELTS exam has four modules: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are completed in a single session with no breaks. The Speaking test is an individual interview that may take place on a different day. The total time for the exam is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. The Listening and Speaking modules are the same for both the Academic and General Training tests, but the Reading and Writing modules differ.
What is the question pattern for each IELTS module?
IELTS Listening
The Listening test is 30 minutes long and consists of 40 questions across four sections. Each section has a different context and increases in difficulty. You will hear each recording only once.
- Part 1: A conversation between two people in an everyday context.
- Part 2: A monologue on an everyday topic.
- Part 3: A conversation between up to four people in an academic or training context.
- Part 4: A monologue on an academic subject, like a university lecture.
Question types include multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labeling, and sentence completion.
IELTS Reading
The Reading test is 60 minutes long with 40 questions across three passages. The content of the passages is the main difference between the Academic and General Training modules.
- Academic Reading: Passages are taken from academic sources like books, journals, and newspapers.
- General Training Reading: Texts are from everyday sources like advertisements, company handbooks, and general interest articles.
Common question types include multiple choice, True/False/Not Given, Matching Headings, and sentence completion.
IELTS Writing
The Writing test is 60 minutes long and has two tasks. Task 2 is worth more marks than Task 1, so it is recommended to spend about 40 minutes on Task 2 and 20 minutes on Task 1.
- Academic Writing: Task 1 requires you to describe a graph, chart, table, or diagram in at least 150 words. Task 2 requires you to write a formal essay of at least 250 words in response to a viewpoint, argument, or problem.
- General Training Writing: Task 1 requires you to write a letter (formal, semi-formal, or informal) in at least 150 words. Task 2 requires you to write an essay of at least 250 words, often on a more general topic.
IELTS Speaking
The Speaking test is a face-to-face interview with an examiner and lasts between 11 and 14 minutes. It is recorded and divided into three parts.
- Part 1 (4-5 minutes): The examiner asks general questions about familiar topics like your home, family, work, or hobbies.
- Part 2 (3-4 minutes): You are given a cue card with a topic and have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes.
- Part 3 (4-5 minutes): The examiner asks follow-up questions related to the Part 2 topic, requiring you to discuss more abstract ideas and opinions.
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Knowing the IELTS question pattern is a powerful start, but true success comes from practice and personalized feedback. At Banglay IELTS, we provide tailored coaching to help you master each section, from developing an effective reading strategy to crafting a high-scoring essay.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall structure of the IELTS exam?
The IELTS exam consists of four modules: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The first three modules are completed in one session, while the Speaking test may be on a different day. The entire exam takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Is the question pattern the same for both Academic and General Training tests?
The Listening and Speaking modules have the same pattern for both tests. However, the Reading and Writing modules are different. Academic Reading uses passages from academic sources, while General Training uses texts from everyday contexts. Similarly, Academic Writing Task 1 requires describing a chart or graph, while General Training Task 1 requires writing a letter.
How long is each section of the IELTS exam?
Here is the duration for each module:
- Listening: 30 minutes (with 10 minutes to transfer answers for the paper-based test).
- Reading: 60 minutes.
- Writing: 60 minutes.
- Speaking: 11-14 minutes.
What are the question types in the IELTS Listening test?
The Listening test has 40 questions across four sections. Common question types include multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labeling, and sentence completion. You hear each recording only once.
How should I manage my time in the Writing test?
The Writing test is 60 minutes long with two tasks. Task 2 is worth twice as many marks as Task 1. Therefore, it is recommended to spend about 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2 to maximize your score.
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