Updated IELTS Syllabus 2024 for Academic & General (Section Wise)

Below we will look at the IELTS exam syllabus for different sections in detail:

Reading Section

The IELTS Reading section evaluates your ability to understand various texts. Let’s break down the different reading tests:

IELTS Academic Reading

The syllabus of IELTS Academic Reading section consists of three long passages. These are usually more complex, drawn from books, journals, and articles written for university-level students and professionals. The texts will test your ability to analyze and interpret information and present arguments or opinions.

IELTS General Training Reading

The General Training Reading section shares the same structure. But it includes topics closer to everyday life. You will see pamphlets, advertisements, or informational brochures. These texts are easier to read than those in the Academic module. But they still require strong comprehension skills.

Types of Questions

The Reading section of IELTS Syllabus includes various types of questions. Some of them are:

Question Type	Description
Multiple Choice Questions	Choose the correct answer from a list of options.
Short-answer Questions	Write brief answers based on information from the text.
Matching Information	Match specific details with sections or paragraphs from the text.
Matching Headings	Match paragraph headings to relevant sections.
Matching Features	Match features or characteristics with the correct categories.
Identifying Information	Locate and verify specific details in the text.
Identifying Writer’s Views	Determine the writer’s opinion or perspective on a topic.
Sentence Completion	Complete sentences using information from the passage.
Matching Sentence Endings	Match the sentence endings with the right beginnings
Diagram Label Completion	Label diagrams using information from the passage.
Summary, Note, Table Completion	Complete summaries, notes, tables, or flowcharts based on text information.

Writing section

The syllabus for IELTS writing section evaluates your grammatical accuracy and your ability to develop logical arguments. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect in each module:

IELTS Academic Writing

In the Academic Writing section of IELTS Syllabus, there are two tasks to complete:

• In task 1, a candidate must read and summarize textual data by analyzing the information in charts, graphs or tables. You must prepare a 150-word presentation discussing trends or comparisons.
• In task 2 you have to write an essay of 250 words in which you state your opinion or justify your argument on a particular issue. The essay should show you as a balanced thinker who understands that there are two sides to a story.

IELTS General Training Writing

The tasks are different in IELTS general training:

• In Task 1 you have to respond to a given situation by writing a formal or semi-formal letter. This could be a letter of complaint, an inquiry, or an explanation from a real-life scenario.
• Task 2 is a 250-word essay, based on the situation in Task 1, where you explore personal viewpoints and solutions. This essay allows for a more personal tone compared to the Academic Writing task.

Types of Questions in the Writing Section

Both modules use a variety of question types. These are some of them:

Question Type	Description
Agree/Disagree	State your agreement or disagreement with a given statement and support it.
Advantages/Disadvantages	Discuss the pros and cons of a particular situation or issue.
Cause/Solution	Analyze the causes of a problem and propose potential solutions.
Two-part Questions	Respond to two related questions, addressing each comprehensively.
Discuss Both Sides	Present arguments for and against a topic, and then express your own opinion.

Listening Section

The IELTS Listening section tests your ability to understand spoken English. The Listening section is the same for both Academic and General Training tests. You will hear four different recordings, each lasting about three minutes.

It covers social, environmental, and educational themes. After each recording, you will answer questions to assess how well you understood and processed the spoken information.

Structure of IELTS Listening Section

You will listen to four recordings:

• Conversation between two people in a social setting.
• Monologue focused on social or everyday topics.
• Group discussion related to an educational or training context.
• Monologue presenting an academic or professional topic.

Types of Questions in the Listening Section:

These are the questions you might see in the IELTS Listening test:

Question Type	Description
Multiple Choice Questions	Choose the correct answer based on what you hear in the recording.
Sentence Completion	Complete sentences or phrases using the information from the recording.
Matching	Match information or categories to the options in audio.
Plan, Map, and Diagram Labeling	Label plans, maps, or diagrams using spoken directions.
Table, Flowchart, Summary Completion	Fill in tables, flowcharts, or summaries based on the information provided.

Speaking Section

The Speaking test of IELTS Syllabus focuses on your ability to speak English in three different aspects.

The Speaking section takes about 11-14 minutes on average. In this activity, you will answer questions, read questions and act in response to the prompts, discussing both personal and global concerns.

IELTS Speaking Structure

The IELTS Speaking test  is divided into three parts:

Part 1: Introduction and General Topics

Here, you describe yourself and engage in common topics. The objective of this section is to determine how comfortable you are in casual conversation.

Part 2: Speaking on a Given Topic

You are provided with a subject of discussion and a chance to think for one minute. Then you will speak on the topic for roughly 2 minutes,  to show that you can organize ideas and speak fluently.

Part 3: Speaking on Abstract and Serious Issues

The examiner will pose questions on any complicated social or cultural issues. This part evaluates you on your capacity to give opinions, on the capability to break down ideas and engage in a profound discussion.

Types of Questions in the Speaking Section

These are the questions asked in a speaking section:

Section	Description
Part 1: General Topics and Self-Introduction	Answer questions about personal experiences, preferences, and opinions, showing your conversational skills.
Part 2: Speaking on a Given Topic	Deliver a two-minute monologue, demonstrating organization, vocabulary, and fluency.
Part 3: Discussion on Serious Issues	Engage in a complex discussion with the examiner on abstract or societal topics, analyzing and expressing different perspectives.

Strategies for IELTS Success

The following are research-based tips that will guide you in your IELTS examination success. 

1. Master the Format: It is important to be familiar with all the parts of the IELTS test adequately. Be clear about what is involved in each part. It will also help if you practice regularly with official IELTS practice materials.
2. Establish a Study Routine: Schedule your study time so that all four sections will get equal time. Each of the skills should be practised at a particular time of the day. Review this once a week so you can see which aspect requires your close attention.
3. Perfect Your Time Management: It is recommended that questions are attempted within the set time limits. Use a timer during the practice sessions. Understand how to divide your attention between two or more questions.
4. Build Your Vocabulary: Learn new words and their context. The emphasis is on the academic words for the reading part. Incorporation of these words in your speaking and writing activities should be done normally. For vocabulary, you can refer to our blog: 1000 Vocabulary Words for IELTS + PDF.
5. Build Sound Language Base: Improve on writing by going through worksheets focusing on grammar and punctuation. Review recurring mistakes in your writing. Pay attention to the table and position of the sentence.
6. Seek Expert Feedback: Get in touch with IELTS tutors or even experienced teachers for assistance. Hand in your practice essays for assessment. You can also join our IELTS coaching in Delhi, our trainer will help you in each section for your desired score.
7. Practice Full Tests: Practice complete tests under exam-like situations frequently. Make sure that during these sessions you time yourself as strictly as possible. Take your mistakes in each practice test and analyze them.
8. Develop Listening Skills: Watch at least 30 minutes of English material every day through the news, podcasts, and academic clips. Take notes while listening during the lectures.
9. Enhance Speaking Fluency: Always speak English when you can, even if it will be just with yourself. Practise some questions then record your answers to those questions. Practise how the pauses and intonations can be eliminated and the words can be pronounced correctly.
10. Perfect Writing Techniques: Writing of both Task 1 and Task 2 should be completed regularly. It is important to create templates for various types of essays.
11. Improve Reading Speed: It is possible to build up your reading speed by practising the teaching texts regularly. Another technique that should be understood is skimming and scanning. Practice identifying the main ideas as fast as possible.

Read more- Best IELTS exam tips for Indian students

IELTS Scoring system

The IELTS scoring system is based on a nine-band scale which is used to help identify exactly where your English proficiency is. Here is the IELTS scoring system for your reference:

Band Score	Category	Language Ability
9	Expert User	Complete mastery, native-like proficiency, excellent communication, speaks fluently with rich vocabulary, understands complex materials fully, writes sophisticated responses, no language barriers
8	Very Good User	Strong command, minor errors possible, effective communication, handles complex arguments well, rare vocabulary mistakes, clear and natural expression, occasional slips possible
7	Good User	Operational command, occasional inaccuracies, generally effective, understands detailed arguments, uses complex language well, some imprecise word choices, good overall fluency
6	Competent User	Generally effective command, some errors and misunderstandings, basic competence, understands main ideas, can handle basic communication, makes some structural mistakes, limited precision in complex tasks
5	Modest User	Partial command, many mistakes, basic communication possible, gets basic meaning, limited vocabulary range, frequent errors in structure, simple communication only
4	Limited User	Basic competence, limited to familiar situations, frequent problems, understands basic points only, frequent communication breakdown, limited to simple vocabulary, basic grammatical errors
3	Extremely Limited User	Very limited ability, major communication problems, basic comprehension only, understands little, cannot form clear sentences, very limited vocabulary, major grammatical issues
2	Intermittent User	Severe difficulties, no real communication, isolated words only, cannot understand basic English, uses only basic words, no sentence formation, minimal communication
1	Non-User	Essentially no ability, few recognizable words, no real communication, cannot use English properly, knows few English words, no meaningful communication, no practical language ability

Read more: Is 6.5 a good score in IELTS Exam? And Is 7.5 a Good IELTS Score for Study Abroad?