Academic IELTS:Exam Format

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Overview

● Listening

● Reading

● Writing

● Speaking

Listening: Overview

● 40 questions

● 30 minutes

● one point for each correct question

● Test takers will be given time to read the questions

before they hear the recording. At the end of each

recording, test takers will be given half a minute to

check answers.

● At the end of the recording, test takers will be given

10 minutes to transfer answers from the booklet to

the official answer sheet.

Listening: Skills

These are the skills tested in the exam (Lougheed, 2013: 13):● Making assumptions● Understanding numbers● Understanding the alphabet● Distinguishing similar sounds● Listening for descriptions● Listening for time● Listening for frequency● Listening for similar meanings● Listening for emotions● Listening for an explanation● Listening for classifications● Listening for comparisons and contrasts● Listening for negative meaning● Listening for chronology

Reading: Overview

● 60 minutes

● 3 passages

● 40 questions

● Answers must be written on the answer sheet -

there will be no time to transfer answers from

booklet to answer sheet.

Reading: Question Types

These are the question types of the reading part of the exam (Lougheed, 2013: 62):● Multiple-choice questions● Short-answer questions● Completing sentences● Completing notes, summary, tables, flowcharts● Labeling a diagram● Choosing headings for paragraphs or sections of a text● Locating information● Identifying points of view● Identifying writer’s claims● Classifying information● Matching lists or phrases● True, False, Not Given● Yes, No, Not Given

Writing: Overview

● 2 writing tasks

● Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1

● Task 1 - 20 minutes - 150 words minimum

● Task 2 - 40 minutes - 250 words minimum

Writing: The Tasks

● Task 1 - 20 minutes - 150 words min.o Describe or summarize facts and figures presented in

one or more charts, graphs, or tables.o Or, explain a diagram of a machine, a device, or a

process.

● Task 2 - 40 minutes - 250 words min.o Express an opinion and give examples to support your

ideas.

(Lougheed, 2013: 92)

Writing: Assessment Criteria

● Task Achievement

● Coherence and Cohesion

● Lexical Resource

● Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Speaking: Overview

● Three parts

● 11-14 minutes

● One test taker - one examiner

● Interview will be recorded

Speaking: the parts

● Part 1o Answer questions about yourself and your activities

(4-5 minutes)

● Part 2o Talk on a topic presented on a task card (3-4 minutes)o Notes are allowed

● Part 3o Discuss with examiner issues related to the topic in

Part 2 (4-5 minutes)

Speaking: Assessment Criteria

● Fluency and Coherence

● Lexical Resource

● Grammatical Range and Accuracy

● Pronunciation

What to do first?

● Listen to as much English as possible (songs, movies, series, shows, radio, etc)

● Read as much and as varied texts as possible (books, magazines, articles, reports, etc.)

● Blog about your learning experience - write one post per day explaining what you do to improve your scores.

● Connect with candidates from other countries - share your study habits and learn about theirs.

● Talk to your self.● Create a persona - Be ready to answer questions about

him or her.

References

● Lougheed, Dr Lin. Barron's Ielts. N.p.: Barrons

Educational Series, 2013. Print.

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