IELTS Syllabus: Sections, Books, and Preparation Tips

IELTS Syllabus: Sections, Books, and Preparation Tips

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Shubhankar Das

Content Writer - Study Abroad | Updated On - Jul 9, 2024

IELTS syllabus is designed to evaluate a candidate's English language proficiency. There are mainly two types of exams, Academic and General Training.  IELTS exam syllabus contains four sections; reading, writing, speaking, and listening. IELTS syllabus for reading and writing is different for academic and general exam modules, and the speaking and listening sections consist of the same exam pattern. You will be allocated 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete the exam. The reading, writing, and listening test of IELTS exam pattern was conducted on the same day. The speaking test is generally conducted within 7 days after or before the exam date. The overall score ranges on a scale of 0-9 band. To get admission to some of the top universities worldwide, you need to achieve a minimum of 7+ bands in IELTS. With regular practice with sample papers and reading books, candidates can effectively prepare for IELTS examination pattern.

ielts_syllabus

IELTS Exam Syllabus

IELTS exam syllabus contains four sections; reading, speaking, writing, and listening. Each analyzes the candidate's English language proficiency to study or migration process abroad. Every section of IELTS syllabus contributes 25% to the overall score. You must have a clear idea about the examination pattern before completing IELTS registration process.

IELTS Syllabus for Reading

your ability to comprehend the main concepts, general ideas, and logical arguments in a text is tested by reading IELTS test syllabus. The reading section of IELTS is different for both the Academic and General Training test modules. Candidates are given 60 minutes to complete the reading tests. A total of 40 questions are there in reading IELTS syllabus and pattern, and candidates are given a score between 0-9 band.

Academic Reading General Training Reading
Evaluate English reading abilities for the academic environment. Evaluate English reading abilities for daily English-speaking environments.
Topics are sourced from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. Topics are sourced from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks, and guidelines.

IELTS Syllabus for Writing

IELTS syllabus 2024 for writing includes detailed and descriptive writing. The writing exam pattern for IELTS is divided into two tasks. In task 1 you have to write over 150 words and over 250 words for writing task 2. You are given 60 minutes to complete the writing section.

Tasks Academic Writing General Training Writing
Task 1–150 Words Presented with a graph, table, chart, or diagram and are asked to describe, summarize, or explain the information. Presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. The letter can be personal, semi-formal, or formal style.
Task 2–250 Words Asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. Must be written in a formal style. Asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. Write in a more personal style than the academic writing task, 2.

IELTS Syllabus for Speaking

Speaking IELTS exam syllabus and pattern consist of interviews between the candidate and the examiner. The candidate's knowledge and skills to do effective communication in the English language are evaluated in IELTS speaking section. A total time of 11 to 14 minutes is allocated to answer 3 parts of the speaking IELTS syllabus.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Candidates are asked to answer questions about themselves and a range of familiar topics, like home, family, studies, work, and interests. 

This part contains 4–5 minutes.

Candidates are given a cue card that asks them to talk about a particular topic. 

This part contains 3–4 minutes.

Candidates are asked further questions and have to discuss the topic in Part 2. 

This part contains 4–5 minutes.

IELTS Syllabus for Listening

IELTS syllabus for listening consists of 4 sections. The topics in IELTS listening are divided into 40 questions. You will be allocated 30 minutes to complete this section. Academic and IELTS general exam patterns are the same for the listening test.

Section 1 Conversation between two people in an everyday social context.
Section 2 A monologue set in an everyday social context.
Section 3 A conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context.
Section 4 A monologue on an academic subject, like a university lecture.

IELTS Books

Books are the best and most convenient way to effectively prepare for IELTS exam subjects. The best IELTS books contain customized and updated study materials, sample questions with answers, and preparation tips. IELTS exam books help candidates to prepare for the exam from their convenient places and time. You can refer to the list below to check some of the best books for IELTS course syllabus preparation.

  • The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS
  • Official IELTS Practice Materials
  • Barron’s IELTS Superpack
  • IELTS Foundation: Coursebook
  • Mometrix IELTS Books for General Academic Training

Tips to Prepare for IELTS Syllabus

To achieve a good band score in IELTS, candidates need effective preparation. Taking coaching classes, reading books, and regularly solving practice papers helps the candidates to understand IELTS syllabus and pattern. Here are some tips to prepare for IELTS syllabus that can help the candidates answer the questions effectively.

  • Understand the questions carefully and focus on finding answers from the passage.
  • Write within the given word limit for each question.
  • Write precise, relevant answers. Avoid writing long paragraphs and sentences.
  • Listen to the questions asked carefully, and answer directly.
  • Be precise, grammatically correct, and to the point.
  • Use an active voice. Avoid writing in the passive voice.
  • Focus on vocabulary, range of tenses, grammar, and sentence structure.
  • Revise and proofread for spelling and grammar errors before submission.

IELTS exam syllabus is designed to test a candidate's English skills for work, PR, or study abroad. Academic and IELTS general syllabus are different for reading and writing sections. The Reading and Writing sections evaluate the candidate's ability to understand and communicate. The Listening section includes lectures and note-taking activities. For speaking, candidates need to discuss personal details and a given topic. You will be advised to practice IELTS grammar syllabus to give effective answers.

FAQs

Ques: What is the IELTS syllabus?

Ans: The IELTS syllabus evaluates a candidate’s English language proficiency across four areas - listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The test focuses on the candidate’s language abilities to move to an English-speaking country.

Ques: What is tested in the listening section?

Ans: The listening section tests your ability to understand conversations and monologues in standard English. A variety of native English speakers and accents are used in the listening section.

Ques: What is tested in the reading section?

Ans: The reading section tests your ability to understand factual information, ideas, opinions, and attitudes contained in texts. The texts include articles, reports, books, letters, and brochures.

Ques: Which book is best for IELTS preparation?

Ans: There are many best books available for IELTS preparation; The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS., Barron's IELTS Superpack, Simone Braverman's Target Band 7, etc.

Ques: What is tested in the writing section?

Ans: The writing section tests the candidate’s ability to write on topics of general interest. Candidates have to write 150 words for writing task 1, and 250 words for writing task 2.

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