IELTS Pattern 2023

IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System which is designed in a way to effectively assess the test-takers proficiency in English. The test is conducted by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Assessment is in English in both IELTS test formats, the General Training and Academic.

IELTS Exam Pattern 2023

Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking are the four components of the IELTS test pattern. These four criteria are used to evaluate candidates. IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training Test are two different versions of the IELTS exam. Candidates should review the requirements of the college or university to which they are applying and prepare accordingly. IELTS Academic is accepted by universities all around the world where students apply for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The IELTS test pattern is divided into four sections, each of which evaluates a candidate’s ability on a number of different parameters.

Professional organisations that require English language proficiency scores from candidates whose first language is not English accept it as well. Always check the IELTS test pattern before starting to prepare for the IELTS Exam. IELTS General Training, on the other hand, is taken by people who want to move to a major English-speaking nation. It can also be given by individuals who are moving for work-related training in another nation. The IELTS Test Score is an important element in the selection process. The ETS, or Educational Testing Service, conducts and administers this exam all around the world. More than 10,000 educational institutions in more than 150 countries recognise this exam.

The total duration of the test is 2 hours and 45 minutes and is divided into four sections. While the reading, writing, and listening sections will be conducted in a single day, the speaking section may be conducted on the same day or within seven days before or after the test day.

IELTS question pattern is summed up in the table mentioned below:

IELTS Band Score

• IELTS Listening and Reading test parts, each have 40 questions and each correct answer receives 1 mark. The total score out of 40 is converted to the IELTS 9-band scale.
• IELTS Speaking test is evaluated by certified IELTS examiners in a face-to-face interview using a set of assessment criteria to award band scores for each of the four criteria, fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy and pronunciation.
• IELTS Writing test is evaluated in the same way with the examiner awarding band scores for each of the four criteria that best match the performance at each band level for Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2.

IELTS Reading

The IELTS reading test has 40 questions divided into 3 parts. Each section has a single text and a set of questions. Each section should take about 20 minutes to complete.

• The testing format is different for Academic and General Training.
• The total duration is 60 minutes
• Three passages with 13-14 questions each are designed to check your ability to grasp the main idea, understand the gist and put forth a logical argument in the passage
• Question types may be multiple-choice, sentence completion, summary writing, matching information, or short-answers based on the given passages
• The Academic format comprises of three long texts which may be descriptive and factual or discursive and analytical taken from books, journals, magazines, or newspapers and are more academic in context
• The General Training format comprises extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, or advertisements, which are more general in the context
• Band score scales from 0 to 9

So, here was some information regarding IELTS reading section.

IELTS Reading Question Types

IELTS reading question pattern:

• Multiple choice
• Identifying information
• Identifying the writer’s views/claims
• Matching information
• Matching headings
• Matching features
• Matching sentence endings
• Sentence completion
• Summary, note, table, flow-chart completion
• Diagram label completion
• Short-answer questions

IELTS Exam Paper Academic Reading

There are 40 questions in the IELTS Academic Reading Section, which are based on three different reading paragraphs. The IELTS Academic Reading section is of 60 minutes and includes questions such as multiple choice, identifying information, matching information, matching headings, matching sentence endings, matching features, sentence completion, summary completion, flow chart, diagram labeling, and so on.

IELTS Exam Paper General Training Reading

Extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks, and guidelines are included in the IELTS pattern’s General Training Reading paper. In an English-speaking environment, you are likely to come across these things on a daily basis.

There are 3 sections.

• Section 1 may comprise two or three short texts or several shorter texts.
• Section 2 comprises two texts.
• Section 3 comprises one long text.

IELTS Exam Paper Academic Writing

Topics are of general interest to aspirants interested in pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as professional registration.

IELTS Exam Paper General Training Writing

The topics are interesting to a wide range of people. The situations you’ll be writing about are common and everyday ones.

IELTS Exam Pattern 2023: Essential Tricks to Success

Listening

• Develop your vocabulary – this is one of the most important factors that affect your IELTS score. It’s not just about memorising word meanings. It’s also important to understand when to use and when not to use the same word. While practising, you should make word lists and choose from them.
• While you’re listening, make an outline of the information you’ve heard. Write down the main points, important details, and main ideas.
• Cause/effect, compare/contrast, and steps in a process are all examples of relationships between ideas.
• Prepare yourself for what someone is going to say (as a way to stay focused). Listen to recorded material and pause it at different points to process what you’ve heard. Predict the next piece of information or idea to be shared.
• Try to figure out whether a speech/conversation is intended to be an apology, a complaint, or a suggestion.
• Take note of whether the language or narration used in various recordings is formal or informal. Pay attention to the tone and volume of the speaker’s voice (calm or emotional, degree of certainty, etc.).
• Pay attention to how stress or intonation patterns are used to convey meaning.

Reading

• Practice skimming and scanning information – you’ll need to be able to do both. Reading to get a general idea of the content provided is known as skimming. You don’t have to if you understand the passage. It’s just a matter of getting a feel for the subject and layout. Attempt to underline/highlight any keywords that come to mind at the same time.
• You should be able to recognise keywords. You must also understand how to properly employ them. Each question will include keywords to assist you in locating information from the passage and determining the correct answer.
• Develop skills for each of the 11 questions. Make a plan to deal with each one. It is said that practise makes perfect. Most people have trouble with “True False Not Given (TFNG)” answers. Make more time to type TFNG.
• Practice reading to get a gist of what you’re reading and to improve your speed in locating information.
• Practise mock tests in a non-exam setting to improve your skills.
• Prepare for exams by taking practise tests under exam conditions. This will allow you to assess your performance and track your progress.
• Practice reading for main ideas and logical arguments, but don’t try and understand the entire passage – there is a strict time limit for this section. Your ability to answer questions in a timely manner will be severely tested. You must improve your reading speed. To find information, quickly scan a passage. Most questions are designed to test your ability to locate specific information, so reading the entire content is not recommended. “Matching Headings” and “Choosing a Title” are the only two types of questions that require a thorough understanding. The remaining questions do not. The rest is based on information about where to find things.

Writing

• Learn how to find synonyms quickly and easily.
• Make a list of topics that you are familiar with and practise writing about them. For each topic, express an opinion or a preference, and then back it up with evidence.
• Plan and write at least one essay on each of the topics.
• To create a structure for your response, use signal words and phrases like “on the one hand,” “in conclusion,” and “on the other hand.”
• Learn grammatical structures to the point where you can use them naturally in your writing.
• Learn the rules of grammar, punctuation, and layout (e.g. paragraph styling)
• Read articles with a word count of 300-400 words. Make outlines of the articles’ major points and essential details.
• Make a summary of the information presented in the articles using these outlines.
• Make summaries brief so that only the most important points are conveyed.
• Make sure to use different words and grammatical structures when paraphrasing. Paraphrasing is the process of rephrasing something from another source into your own words.

Speaking

• On the Internet, in books, or anywhere else, find listening and reading materials on a single topic. These materials may present similar or divergent points of view. Take notes on both the written and spoken portions of the presentation. Make a summary of the information and ideas.
• Make a summary of the information and determine how the written and spoken parts are related.
• Explain how the ideas are related, how one expands on the other, or how some ideas contradict one another.

IELTS Exam Important Dates

The IELTS test is available multiple times through out the year and therefore, you are advised to book an IELTS test date at your convenience. However, you need to consider the admission deadline of the university you are applying to. It is suggested to choose an exam date 3-4 months before the application deadline. Also, it is advised to book your IELTS test dates in advance to avoid any last-minute errors.

IELTS Exam Dates For December 2022

IELTS Exam Dates For January 2023

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IELTS Exam Dates For December 2023

IELTS Test Day Facts

The three components of the test will be conducted in the following order on the day of the test: Listening, Reading, and Writing. After finishing the Listening section, you can move on to the Reading and Writing sections in either the Academic or General Training format. The Speaking test can be taken seven days before or after the other sections. This option will be determined by your testing centre.

Best books for IELTS Preparation

Given below are the top 5 books recommended for IELTS preparation:

1. Barron’s IELTS Super pack

As the name super pack suggests, Barron’s IELTS super pack combines all essential IELTS resources into a single package that will be beneficial you in passing test. The four large books in this bundle will cover the following topics:

• Barron’s IELTS: Including a thorough subject review, online audio tracks, access to four academic module practise examinations, two general training module practise exams, and four academic module practise exams.
• IELTS Practice Exams with MP3 CD: There are six practise exams for academic modules and six practise tests for general training modules. Both online and CD-based audio resources are also available.
• IELTS Strategies and Tips with MP3 CD: You will also receive CD and online audio content, which will further assist you in gathering more professional advice and recommendations for better question-answering techniques.
• Essential Words for the IELTS: By memorising 600 words that appear regularly in exams, you will significantly increase your vocabulary. Additionally, you will get access to both online and CD-based audio content.

2. The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS

Both general and academic studies/training are included in The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS. This IELTS prep book for beginners provides advice, hints, and direction based on the experiences of prior aspirants as well as succinctly provided explanations for attaining higher results. You can improve your knowledge by taking eight official practice tests and following the step-by-step instructions for each component. You will eventually receive audio and video for all listening exercises and practice tests.

3. Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Student’s Book with Answers

The IELTS 14 Academic Student’s Book with Answers with Audio: Authentic Practice Tests is recognized for its validity as a component of the Cambridge IELTS Academic Series and provides four examination papers (authentic) courtesy of Cambridge Assessment English. This is exactly like the real test, and in addition to four comprehensive exams for academic hopefuls, there is also a detailed answer section and an explanation to all the modules and scoring procedures. Students will have access to downloadable audio resources for listening, comparable to previous prepared books.

4. Official IELTS Practice Materials

Written by authorized IELTS test partners, Official IELTS Practice Materials provides helpful study advice as well as an explanation of how each test component is evaluated. In addition to practice exams covering both general and academic training topics, students will also receive tapescripts, answer sheets, examiner commentary, and much more. Teachers who assist students in getting ready for the IELTS test will also gain from reading this book.

5. Road to IELTS

Road to IELTS is an online curriculum from the British Council that includes interactive activities, sample tests, and tutorial videos, thus it isn’t exactly a book. Three different versions are offered:

• To learn more about the IELTS test, download free practice tests.
• For those signing up for IELTS through the British Council, the last-minute version will be free and include nine videos with instructions and guidance. For each of the four skills covered, there are roughly 100 interactive activities and two practice examinations.
• For around $50, a comprehensive online course with 300+ activities and nine practice exams is offered. It includes everything needed for IELTS test preparation. There are professional tutorial videos available, and evaluation is based on the results of practice exams.

How to Prepare for the IELTS Exam

1. Improve Reading Skills

Make it a habit to read, pick up new words, and then try to apply them in the right sentences. Daily English news listening and newspaper reading are recommended. Develop your ability to find information when reading, look for specifics, and take notes. As you must provide responses in a set amount of time, you must handle the tight schedule.

2. Enhance your Writing Skills

Make it a habit to read, pick up new words, and then try to apply them in the right sentences. Daily English news listening and newspaper reading are recommended. Develop your ability to find information when reading, look for specifics, and take notes. As you must provide responses in a set amount of time, you must handle the tight schedule.

3. Improve Listening Skills

You can watch the English news every day and then write on it. Remember that you only get one chance to hear the tape, so pay attention and improve your listening skills to avoid pausing it. However, if you wish to listen to the tape again, read the script again and take note of any helpful phrasing. You should be aware of the precise request and look over the directions.

4. Improve Vocabulary

If you want to improve your reading abilities, be careful to learn new words and utilize them appropriately. You must read a lot for this. Make a note of the new terms and learn how to properly utilize them in sentences. Read editorials and various magazines to become familiar with new words. To integrate new words into your everyday speech, you must use them frequently.

5. Improve your Fluency and Pronunciation

Short conversation, structured interview, and informal interview comprise the three elements of the listening portion. For four to five minutes, candidates will be questioned on two or three short issues relating to well-known subjects. For this exercise, speak for a considerable amount of time in English while paying close attention to your pronunciation. It will help you learn about them and be able to speak on a variety of subjects if you read and listen to various themes. Learn your strengths and flaws by listening to a recording of your speaking.

Tips To Get Your Desired IELTS Score

Developing your vocabulary is one of the most important factors in determining your IELTS score. It’s not only about memorising word meanings. It’s also crucial to understand when to use and when not to use the same word. While practicing, you should make word lists and choose from them.

Practice skimming and scanning information – you’ll need to be able to do both. Reading to gain a general overview of the stuff supplied is known as skimming. You don’t have to strive to comprehend the passage. It’s just a matter of acquiring a feel for the subject and layout. Simultaneously, try to emphasise or highlight any keywords that occur to mind.

Make a list of topics that you’re familiar with and practice writing about them. For each topic, express an opinion or a preference and then back it up with proof.

On the Internet, in books, or anywhere else, find listening and reading materials on a single topic. These materials may present comparable or conflicting points of view. Take notes on both the written and spoken aspects of the presentation. Make a summary of the information and ideas.