IELTS is one of the most popular and widely accepted English language proficiency tests in the world. Students seeking to migrate to English-speaking countries like the UK, U.S., Canada or Australia for professional or academic purposes need to appear for this test.
There are two modules of IELTS: Academic test and General Training test. Academic tests are suitable for candidates seeking to pursue study abroad plans, while the General Training is meant for those who intend to migrate for employment. The IELTS syllabus is almost the same for both Academic and General Training test.
Since this exam is usually in high demand most of the time, aspirants need to register for it well in advance. Let’s take a detailed look at the IELTS syllabus and registration process.
What’s in the IELTS Syllabus?
The IELTS test pattern is more or less the same for both the Academic and General Training test. However, the syllabus is slightly different from each other.
The Academic test is designed to assess whether a student is ready to start studying or training in countries where English is the primary mode of communication.
The General Training test, on the other hand, focuses on assessing the basic survival skills of candidates in a social or workplace environment. This test is taken by candidates who apply for secondary education, training or exploration of occupational opportunities in English-speaking nations.
IELTS tests determine English language capabilities through four skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. Naturally, an IELTS test consists of the following test sections: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. The following tabular representation charts the IELTS syllabus in detail:
| Test Section | Description of Syllabus | Duration and Types of Questions |
| Reading | Academic test: The Reading section of this test type includes three paragraphs that are factual, descriptive and analytical. These are taken from books, journals, research work and magazines. General Training: The format is similar to that of academic tests. However, the passages are usually excerpts from advertisements, brochures, or company guidelines. | Aspirants have to answer 40 questions in 60 minutes. |
| Writing | Academic test: Students have to answer two tasks. For task 1, they will be provided with a diagram, chart or illustration, which they need to explain in 150 words. For task 2, candidates have to write a summary of given data in around 250 words. They need to support their arguments with examples. General Training: For task 1, candidates are required to draft a letter in 150 words. This can be either a formal, semi-formal or personal letter. In the next task, they have to write an essay in 250 words. | Candidates will need to answer 2 questions in 60 minutes. |
| Listening | This module consists of four pre-recorded audio clips. Test-takers have to answer the questions based on these clips. These clips would be both monologues and conversations. The first two clips would deal with social context while the last two would be related to education. Aspirants will need to answer various types of questions, including MCQs, note completion, diagram labelling and more. | This section comes with 40 questions which are to be answered in 30 minutes. |
| Speaking | The Speaking section is basically an interview that can last anywhere between 11-14 minutes. It has three sections. The first part is similar to an introduction where the examiner would ask basic questions regarding family, aims, hobbies, and more. Next, students have to speak for 2-3 minutes on a given topic. They would get some time to prepare for it. The last part will include detailed discussions on the given topic. | Part 1 will last for around 4-5 minutes. The next part would take almost 2-3 minutes, while the last segment might take roughly 5-6 minutes. |
Steps to Register for IELTS tests
While computer-based IELTS is available 7 days a week, the paper-based test is available for 48 dates in a year. Students can register for it and book their preferred test dates online in the following steps:
- Go to the official website of IDP IELTS India.
- Click on ‘Register for Test’.
- Now, select the preferred date, time slot and test location.
- Provide all necessary personal and registration details.
- After that, scan and upload clear copies of the Passport.
- Now, choose the colleges where the TRFs will be sent after results.
- Check all details carefully before proceeding to pay.
- Pay the test fee through net banking or debit/ credit cards.
- Candidates will receive a confirmation once their test dates are booked. They can print the acknowledgement slip for future reference.
In addition, aspirants can also register through the in-person method by visiting the nearest test centre.
Candidates aiming to appear for the IELTS test can have a clear idea about the IELTS syllabus and registration process through this guide. With a better understanding of the test syllabus, candidates can chalk out a suitable preparation strategy to improve their chances of success.
