Blessy Babu Jan 25, 2024
Category
Entrance Tips

IELTS 2024 Test Format and Question Pattern

Do you have plans to take the IELTS test in 2024? Then, you must know the IELTS test pattern in 2024 and check whether the question format has changed. 

IELTS is the world’s leading language assessment accepted in over 140 countries. So, whether you wish to migrate or study in any country like the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, or the USA, passing the IELTS test is your first milestone. Here are some basic facts about the IELTS

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the IELTS Indicator, which was introduced in 2018, became a popular mode of test-taking. IELTS Indicator continues to be the new norm for test takers who are affected by COVID-19 and cannot attend the test at the IELTS test centre. Much like the IELTS Academic tests conducted at the test centre, the IELTS Indicator will assess your English language skills in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. You can take the IELTS Indicator test online from the comfort of your home. 

Read on to know everything about the IELTS test format in 2024 and the IELTS Indicator Test.

What is the IELTS Exam Format for 2024?

If you have already gone through the format of the 2022 IELTS exam, the good news is that there are no major changes in the IELTS 2024 exam format. 

Some students, however, have reported that the exam format deviated slightly from that of the Cambridge book at the beginning of 2024. The British Council, IDP IELTS and Cambridge University Press & Assessment jointly own IELTS and haven't added any new speaking section, changed the amount of time you have for writing, or increase the difficulty of the reading passages. Here is why you should take the IELTS Test in 2024.

The IELTS test as earlier is conducted based on the four components- reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The marks scored in an IELTS test are calculated based on a nine-band scale, with each band corresponding to a specified competence and level in the English language. 

The total duration of the IELTS test remains the same as 2 hours and 45 minutes. The IELTS paper pattern for 2024 is mentioned in the table below.

IELTS Exam Pattern 2024

IELTS Test Component Duration Brief Description
Listening 30 minutes 4 sections, 40 items
Reading 60 minutes 3 sections, 40 items
Writing 60 minutes 2 tasks
Speaking 11-14 minutes 3 part one-on-one conversation

IELTS Test Format For Four Test Components 

Now let’s look into every four components of the IELTS Test Format in a detailed manner. 

IELTS Listening Format 

The IELTS Listening test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded one mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS nine-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands. The IELTS listening test is designed to assess your listening skills, including how well you understand the main ideas and specific factual information, recognise the opinions, attitudes and purpose of the speaker, and follow the development of an argument.

IELTS Listening Test Format

As part of the IELTS pattern, you will be asked to answer a series of questions in writing after listening to four recordings of fluent English speakers. These recordings are explained in detail in the table below.

Recording Sections Subject
Recording 1: A discussion between two people takes place in a typical social setting.
Recording 2: A monologue that takes place in a typical social setting, like a speech about a neighbourhood facility.
Recording 3: A discussion between four people takes place in an educational or training setting, such as when a student and a university tutor are discussing an assignment.
Recording 4: A monologue about a subject in school, like a lecture at a university.

Task Types Involved In The IELTS Listening Test

The IELTS Listening test format for task types includes multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion, sentence completion, etc. 

IELTS Reading Format 

The IELTS Reading format contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded one mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS nine-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands. The Academic and General Training Reading tests are graded on the same scale. In your IELTS Reading test, you will be required to read three distinct passages and answer pertinent questions. To achieve in IELTS Reading, you need to read quickly utilising the time effectively.

IELTS Academic and IELTS General examinations have separate Reading test topics. The Reading section of IELTS 2024 includes generic paragraphs from books, journals, magazines, newspapers, etc. The IELTS Reading test evaluates a variety of reading abilities, including your ability to follow an argument and identify the opinion, attitude, or intent of a writer. It assesses your ability to understand ideas, details, thoughts, and implied meanings when reading. 

IELTS Academic Exam Format For Reading

IELTS Academic pattern for the reading test includes three lengthy pieces, ranging from factual and descriptive to discursive and analytical. These come from publications, including books, journals, periodicals, and newspapers. They have been chosen for a non-specialist audience yet are suitable for students starting university courses or looking to register for a profession.

IELTS Academic Exam Format - Reading Task Types

The IELTS Academic Exam format for Reading tasks involves the following. 

  • Fill in the blanks in a passage of text or a table
  • Match headers to written text in diagrams or charts
  • Finish phrases
  • Provide succinct responses to open-ended inquiries
  • Respond to multiple-choice questions.

IELTS General Test Format For Reading

The IELTS General test format for reading includes extracts from publications like books, periodicals, newspapers, notices, and business manuals and policies. These are resources that you will probably come across every day if you live in an English-speaking country.

IELTS General Test Format For Reading Task 

The IELTS General test format for reading tasks includes the following. 

  • Fill in the blanks in a passage of text or a table
  • Match headers to written text in diagrams or charts
  • Finish phrases
  • Provide succinct responses to open-ended inquiries
  • Respond to multiple-choice questions.

IELTS Writing Format 

The writing section contains 60 minutes and includes two questions where candidates have to write a short essay of at least 250 words. Apart from this, you are given a table, diagram, or data which you have to explain in your own words. Examiners use assessment criteria to award a band score for each of the four criteria in writing:

  • Task Achievement (for Task 1), Task Response (for Task 2)
  • Coherence and Cohesion
  • Lexical Resource
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy

The criteria are weighted equally, and the score on the task is average. 

IELTS Academic Test Format For Writing 

In the IELTS Academic Writing test, you need to write in a formal tone. You will be shown a graph, table, chart, or diagram for task 1. You will be required to provide your own written description, summary, or explanation of the material. This may entail:

  • Describing and explaining data
  • Describing an object or an event.
  • Outlining the steps of a procedure or the operation of a device. 

In Task 2, you will be required to respond to writing to a point of view, an argument, or a problem. The topics ought to be intriguing and simple to comprehend.

IELTS Academic Writing Task Types

In the IELTS Academic Writing test, you will be given two writing tasks. You must write at least 150 and 250 words for Task 1 and Task 2, respectively.

IELTS General Test Format For Writing

The subjects covered in the IELTS general writing section are interesting. In Task 1, you will be given a situation and instructed to compose a letter asking for information or outlining the circumstances. The letter might be written in a casual, formal, or semi-formal tone. In Task 2, you are required to respond to writing to a point of view, argument, or problem. You can adopt a fairly unique style.

IELTS General Writing Tasks involve two tasks for which you must write at least 150 and 250 words, respectively. 

Do you face problems with the IELTS Writing section? Here are some solutions!

IELTS Speaking Format 

The IELTS speaking test involves speaking to a certified examiner. The IELTS Speaking test is interactive and mimics real-world circumstances as closely as possible. The test will be recorded and may be administered in several accents. 

The IELTS Speaking test's subject will be the same for both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General tests. The IELTS Speaking test will evaluate how you communicate thoughts and information on common subjects and experiences, which is done by asking a variety of questions.

To achieve high scores in IELTS Speaking, you will have to;

  • Talk in depth about a subject at hand while utilising a suitable language.
  • Put your ideas in a logical order.
  • Your opinions should be stated and supported.
  • Discuss, debate, and hypothesize on problems.

Check out, 5 Mistakes to Avoid in an IELTS Speaking Test

IELTS Speaking Test Format

The IELTS Speaking structure is divided into 3 parts. The examiner will ask you questions on subjects based on these three sections, which are given below. 

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
  • The examiner will introduce themselves and ask you to do the same to establish your identity.
  • You will be asked generic questions by the examiner about well-known subjects, including your home, family, job, studies, and interests.
  • This part should assist you in unwinding and speaking naturally.
  • The examiner will hand you a task card with instructions on how to talk about a certain subject and suggested talking points.
  • You'll have a minute to get ready and take notes. After that, you will be required to speak for 1-2 minutes on the subject.
  • It is crucial to continue speaking throughout this period because you won't be interrupted.
  • After that, you will be asked one or two questions on the same subject by the examiner.
  • More questions about the subject of Part 2 will be posed to you by the examiner.
  • As mentioned in the IELTS exam pattern, these inquiries are meant to provide you with a chance to talk about more conceptual concerns and concepts.

You can download IELTS sample papers and solve them. This will help you get familiar with the IELTS exam pattern and help you get familiar with the preparation for the IELTS exam.

Don’t forget to check these 7 IELTS Speaking Tips to get a band 8+ score

Apart from what is mentioned above, the IELTS pattern will not have any further changes for the year. If you enrol with an authorised IELTS Training Center, you can learn the skills quickly. Also, there is no negative marking for incorrectly answering any questions in the test.

ELTS Test Types

Now that you have read the pattern of questions, the score and the duration. There are two types of tests. They are:

1. IELTS Academic: 

The IELTS Academic test is designed for candidates who want to study in an English-speaking country. The Speaking section and Listening section are the same for both IELTS Academic and General tests. 

The IELTS Academic Writing test assesses the candidate’s ability to understand and write based on academic concepts. The IELTS Academic test Reading section focuses on your reading ability to answer questions from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers.   

2. IELTS General 

The IELTS General Training test is designed for candidates who want to study below degree level in an English-speaking school or college or general immigration. 

The IELTS General writing test assesses the candidate’s skills by evaluating topics that are of general interest. The Reading Test will be conducted from materials that you encounter and use daily.

3. IELTS Indicator

It is the new online test launched during the Covid-19 pandemic that candidates can take from their own homes. The IELTS Indicator aims to help candidates and examiners minimise contact and limit physical interaction. The IELTS Indicator exam is beneficial for those who have contracted Covid-19 and cannot make it to the test centre or if the test centre is suspended from conducting the test due to lockdowns. However, it is recommended that the candidates verify with the college that they wish to apply to regarding the IELTS Indicator result.

Features of IELTS Indicator Test

  • The IELTS Indicator test is available for all four sections of the exam: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. 
  • The test is available once every second week and covers all four skills. 
  • The exam conducts the Listening, Reading, and Writing in one sitting and the Speaking test a few days later. 
  • IELTS Indicator takes place in real-time and is marked by IELTS examiners on a live basis. 
  • The exam takes place only at a designated slot. 
  • You can access the IELTS Indicator if you have your computer system and a proper internet connection. 
  • You will get an indicative score for each section and an overall band score within seven days of taking your test. 

It is important to note that the IELTS Indicator is not a substitute for the in-person IELTS test. A test taker may still need to take an in-person IELTS test at a test centre once testing resumes to meet the requirements of the university or education provider.

Which countries have the IELTS Indicator?

The following countries have the IELTS Indicator. 

Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Burundi, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Faroe Islands, France, India, Israel, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Paraguay, Romania, Somalia, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK) and Zambia. 

Ensure that you check with the country you wish to migrate to. You must also check with the institutions/ universities if the IELTS indicator score is accepted. IELTS Indicator is not accepted for migration in Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. However, IELTS Indicator can put you one step closer to achieving your dream of attending a prestigious university if you are struck with Covid. 

Let’s Wrap Up

The IELTS test has not changed this year. However, the IELTS indicator is a new introduction that you should know about. All that you need to do is get proper training and start preparing for IELTS. Prepare for your test with the accurate materials and training classes to fly to your dream country in 2024!

Planning to take your IELTS test in Dubai?

Book your test at an official IELTS test centre in Dubai! 

For details, check out our IELTS Exam Booking Page. 

Locations Where Edoxi Offers IELTS Training

Here is the list of other major locations where Edoxi offers  IELTS Training

IELTS Training in Dubai | IELTS Training in Sharjah | IELTS Training in Al Ain | IELTS Training in Muscat

DHA, NCLEX

Blessy is an experienced medical instructor who specialises in Prometric courses and NCLEX preparation. She has a wealth of knowledge in healthcare education and is highly skilled in teaching and training healthcare professionals. Her main aim is to support students in passing their Prometric exams and NCLEX certification by providing them with comprehensive and up-to-date study materials, personalised instruction, and hands-on practice exams.

Blessy's teaching approach centers on creating a supportive and engaging learning environment that encourages critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and effective test-taking strategies. She is committed to professional development and keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and advancements in the medical field. As part of her commitment, she regularly attends workshops, conferences, and seminars to enhance her expertise, ensuring that her students receive the most relevant and valuable education.

Tags
Technology
Education