Types of IELTS Exam

The International English Language Test System or IELTS is one of the most popular English proficiency tests which assess the candidate’s language proficiency on the basis of receptive and productive skills. While the receptive skills include listening and reading, the productive skills include writing and speaking. Managed by the jointly IDP, British Council, Cambridge, IELTS is taken by those who have English as their second language, but are aspiring to pursue higher education abroad or migrate there permanently. Depending on the reason, there are two types of IELTS exams; General and Academic. This blog will provide a comprehensive understanding of the types of IELTS. 

Main Highlights 

Sections	Number of Questions	Time
Listening	40 questions	Approximately 30 Minutes (plus 10 minutes transfer time)
Reading	40 questions	60 Minutes
Writing	2 tasks	60 Minutes
Speaking	3 parts	11–14 Minutes

What are the Types of IELTS Exams?

There are basically two types of IELTS exams; Academic and General Training. Both the tests consist of 4 sections, Reading Writing, Listening and Speaking. However, it is important to know that while the pattern of Listening and Speaking are the same for both the tests, the structure of Writing as well as the Reading section varies.

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IELTS Academic

This is one of the main types of IELTS exams. The main aim of the IELTS Academic test is to provide an entry for students who want to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate courses abroad or want to apply for a Tier-4 Visa. The IELTS Academic evaluates your skills and ability to study in an English language environment through essays, reports, audio clips, etc. 

Listening Section

Test Components	Details
Duration	30 Minutes
Number of Questions	40
Type of questions	It includes multiple questions including; multiple-choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion, sentence completion
Recording 1	It will include a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.
Recording 2	You will hear monologues pertaining to speech about local facilities, social context etc.
Recording 3	You will get to hear a group conversation of 4 people. The conversation is set as per the educational context.
Recording 4	Here  you will get to hear monologues pertaining to university and other academic lectures.

Speaking Section

Test Format	Details
Duration	11–14 minutes
Parts	Three parts are there in this type of IELTS exam.
Part 1	In this part, you will face questions related to family, studies, home as well as interests.
Part 2	You have to frame your answer against a particular question. You have to frame your question around the topic as well.
Part 3	In part 3rd, a comprehensive discussion will be held where abstract issues and ideas will be discussed.

Writing Section

Test Format	Details
Duration	1 Hour
No. of questions	2
Tasks	Task 1  Candidates will have to describe visual information represented through graphs, tables, charts, or diagrams in 150 words within 20 minutes. Task 2 Candidates will have to respond to a point of view, an argument, or a problem in 250 words within 40 minutes.

Reading Section

Components	Details
Test Duration	60 Minutes
Total Questions	40
Format of Questions	Multiple-choice, identifying/ matching information, matching headings/features/sentence endings, sentence, note, table,  flow-chart, completion, and short-answer questions.

Must Read: IELTS Preparation Tips

Types of IELTS Exam: General Training

This type of IELTS exam evaluates English proficiency of a candidate through various questions and discussions which are asked in relation to workplaces and social context. Let us, through the following tables understand the pattern of IELTS General Training. 

Listening Section

Test Format	Details
Total Duration	Half an Hour
No of Questions	40
Type of Questions	You have to answer multiple-choice based questions. Apart from this, questions will also be asked in the form of matching, plan /map /diagram labelling, summary completion, sentence completion, etc.

Note: To understand the recording part, you can refer to the IELTS Academic Listening section, mentioned in the blog above. 

IELTS General Training Reading

Test Format	Details
Total Duration	1 Hour
Type of Questions	You have to answer questions based on multiple-choice, identifying information, identifying writer’s views/claims, matching information, headings, features, and sentence endings. Sentence, summary, note, table, flow-chart, diagram label completion, and short-answer questions are other types.
No. of questions	40

Writing Section

Test format	General Training Writing
Duration	60 minutes
No. of Questions	2
Task 1	Here, a candidate has to write a formal, informal, or a semi-formal letter in a given situation.
Task 2	This section will analyze your critical analysis and comprehension ability based on an argument, around which, you have to frame an essay.

Speaking Section

When it comes to the Speaking section of different types of IELTS exam, the pattern remains the same. However, we have provided detailed information related to the IELTS General below. 

IELTS Indicator

IELTS Indicator is the safest and fastest way to demonstrate your English language skills from the comfort of your home. It is an online test-launched by the British Council last year during the havoc of COVID-19 to help students apply for educational institutes across the world. Here are some important aspects of the IELTS Indicator to keep in mind-

• It is held once every week online 
• IELTS Indicator can be administrated online 
• It covers the four main skills like the IELTS General- Speaking, Writing, Listening, and Reading
• It is a timed test that matches the structure of an in-person test. 
• It is a live, online test with an allocated start time and duration 
• Listening, Reading, and Writing parts of the test need to be completed in one sitting, while the Speaking test takes place a few days before or after the other sections.         

There are many universities in the UK, Canada, and the USA that accept IELTS indicator, however, it is not a substitute for in-person IELTS tests that is mandatory for migration. It is important to check with the university before applying for the test whether they accept the scores of the IELTS Indicator or not.

FAQs

Hopefully, with the information provided related to types of IELTS exam, you are now clear which one you should go for! Want to boost your IELTS preparation? Then enroll yourself inLeverage Edu’s Live Online Classes where our experts through one-on-one sessions, well structured study materials, and a wide range of questions will help you ace the exam with flying colours! Hurry up, book your slot now!