IELTS Exam Pattern 2025: The IELTS exam pattern 2025 has four major components: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. The exam format has been designed to assess the English language proficiency of non-English speakers in four English parameters. The total duration of the IELTS exam is 2 hours 44 minutes, distributed among the four sections: the Reading section is 60 minutes, the Listening section is 30 minutes, the Writing section is 60 minutes, and 11-14 minutes for the Speaking section. Furthermore, 10 minutes of extra transfer time is provided for each test-taker.
Speaking about the IELTS exam pattern, the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are conducted on the same test day, whereas the Speaking section is conducted separately, 7 days before or after the test date. Each section of the IELTS test format is scored individually, and the overall score is determined by calculating the average of the scores from all sections. IELTS has two versions: IELTS General Training and Academic Test. However, content, format, level of difficulty, and scoring pattern are similar for both test versions. To learn more about the IELTS exam pattern, read the guide till the end.
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IELTS Exam Pattern 2025 Overview
Here is a detailed description of the IELTS exam format for the Academic test.
| IELTS Test Format |
| Component |
IELTS Academic Test Total Questions |
Time Allotted |
| IELTS Listening |
4 parts, 40 questions |
30 minutes |
| IELTS Reading |
3 passages, 40 questions |
60 minutes |
| IELTS Writing |
Task 1: Describe information; Task 2: Essay |
60 minutes |
| IELTS Speaking |
Part 1: Introduction and interview; Part 2: Individual long turn; Part 3: Discussion |
11-14 minutes |
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IELTS Exam Pattern 2025 for General Training
The IELTS exam has two versions: Academic and General Training. The IELTS Academic test evaluates the English language proficiency of candidates seeking higher education in popular foreign countries like the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, etc. In contrast, the IELTS General Training test is designed for individuals planning to migrate to English-speaking countries, seek work opportunities, or undertake non-academic training programmes. Therefore, students must previously decide the type of test they want to take, depending on their future goals. The IELTS paper pattern for the Listening and Speaking sections is similar for both Academic and General Training. However, variation is observed for the Reading and Writing components.
| IELTS Test Format- General Training |
| Test component |
IELTS General Training |
Time Allotted |
| IELTS Listening |
4 parts, 40 questions |
30 minutes |
| IELTS Reading |
3 sections, 40 questions |
60 minutes |
| IELTS Writing |
Task 1: Write a letter; Task 2: Essay |
60 minutes |
| IELTS Speaking |
Part 1: Introduction and interview; Part 2: Individual long turn; Part 3: Discussion |
11-14 minutes |
Section-wise IELTS Exam Pattern 2025
While preparing for the IELTS exam, understanding the IELTS exam syllabus and exam pattern is crucial to achieving a high band score. The IELTS exam syllabus for both Academic and General Training types is described below:
IELTS Listening Exam Pattern 2025
The duration of the IELTS Listening section is 30 minutes, which includes 40 questions, including Matching, MCQs, Note completion, Summary completion, etc. The IELTS Listening test pattern consists of four recorded texts: two monologues and two conversations. The recordings are played once only, however, accents may vary (British, Australian, New Zealand, North American). All four parts of the IELTS test format for the Listening section are listed below:
IELTS ListeningPart 1
- Question Type: Conversation between two people.
- Context: Everyday social setting (e.g., booking accommodation).
IELTS Listening Part 2
- Question Type: Monologue.
- Context: Everyday social situation (e.g., local facility announcements).
IELTS Listening Part 3
- Question Type: Conversation between up to four people.
- Context: Educational or training setting (e.g., university tutor and student discussion).
IELTS Listening Part 4
-
- Question Type: Monologue.
- Context: Academic subject (e.g., university lecture).
Click Here to Explore - Free IELTS Listening Practice Test PDF
IELTS Reading Exam Pattern 2025
The pattern for the IELTS reading section varies from Academic and General Training tests. A brief description of the IELTS test pattern for the Reading section is listed below:
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Number of Questions: 40
- Question Types: MCQ, True/False/NA, Matching Headings/Claims, etc.
IELTS Academic Reading Exam Pattern 2025
- Format : 3 long reading passages with accompanying tasks.
- Content : Topics of general interest, suitable for undergraduate or postgraduate students. Texts may include diagrams, graphs, or illustrations.
- Sources : Books, journals, newspapers, and other academic publications.
IELTS General Training Reading Exam Pattern 2025
- Format : 5 to 6 texts of varying lengths with tasks.
- Sections :
- Section 1 : 2 to 3 short or multiple shorter texts on everyday topics.
- Section 2 : 2 short, factual texts related to work environments.
- Section 3 : 1 long text on a general interest topic.
Click Here to Explore - Free IELTS Reading Practice Test PDF
IELTS Writing Exam Pattern 2025
A brief description of the IELTS paper pattern for the Writing section is listed below:
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Number of Questions: Candidates will be asked to write at least 250 words for Task 2 in about 40 minutes.
| IELTS Pattern: Writing Section |
| IELTS Writing Component |
Task |
Time |
| Academic Writing |
Task 1: Describe and interpret visual information (graph, table, chart, or diagram). |
20 minutes (150 words) |
| Task 2: Respond to an argument or problem with an essay. |
40 minutes (250 words) |
| General Training Writing |
Task 1: Write a letter (formal/informal) to request information or explain a situation. |
20 minutes (150 words) |
| Task 2: Write an essay on a general topic relevant to everyday life. |
40 minutes (250 words) |
Click Here to Explore - Free IELTS Writing Practice Test PDF
IELTS Speaking Exam Pattern 2025
The IELTS Speaking test includes a face-to-face interview with an examiner for both the Academic and General Training versions.
- Duration: 11 to 14 minutes
- Format: Interview-based
- Assessment: Recorded for review
| IELTS Pattern: Speaking Section |
| Part |
Duration |
Description |
| Part 1 – Introduction & Interview |
4–5 minutes |
General questions about personal topics. |
| Part 2 – Long Turn |
3–4 minutes (1 min prep) |
Speak on a given topic after 1-minute preparation. |
| Part 3 – Discussion |
4–5 minutes |
In-depth questions linked to Part 2 topic. |
Click Here to Explore - Free IELTS Speaking Practice Test PDF
IELTS Syllabus 2025
Understanding the latest IELTS syllabus 2025 is essential for effective preparation, whether you’re aiming to study abroad or migrate to an English-speaking country.
IELTS Syllabus 2025 for Listening Section
Key Features of IELTS Syllabus for Listening
- Duration: 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes transfer time)
- Number of Questions: 40
- Four sections with increasing difficulty
- Various accents, including British, Australian, American, and Canadian
- Each recording is played only once
IELTS Syllabus 2025 for Reading Section
Key Features of IELTS Syllabus for Reading
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Number of Questions: 40
- Three long passages with increasing difficulty
- Different question types such as multiple choice, matching, and True/False/Not Given
- Academic and General Training versions are available
IELTS Syllabus 2025 Writing Section
Key Features of the IELTS Writing Test:
- Duration : The total time for the Writing test is 60 minutes.
- Tasks :
- IELTS Writing Task 1:
- Academic : Candidates are required to write a report based on visual data, such as graphs, charts, or diagrams.
- General Training : Candidates must write a letter (formal, semi-formal, or informal) based on a given situation.
- IELTS Writing Task 2:
- Both Academic and General Training candidates are required to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem.
- Word Count :
- Task 1: At least 150 words.
- Task 2: At least 250 words.
- Scoring :
- Task 1 is worth 33% of the total Writing score.
- Task 2 is worth 67% of the total Writing score.
- Skills Tested :
- Task Achievement
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
IELTS Syllabus 2025 Speaking Section
Key Features of the IELTS Speaking Test:
- Duration : The Speaking test lasts between 11 and 14 minutes.
- Format :
- Part 1 (Introduction and Interview) :
- Part 2 (Long Turn) :
- Part 3 (Discussion) :
- Scoring :
- The Speaking test is scored based on four criteria:
- Fluency and Coherence
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- Pronunciation
Guidance to PW IELTS Prep
The IELTS Online Courses is a great initiative Physics Wallah took to help IELTS aspirants better prepare for the exam. Follow our below pages to learn more about the IELTS exam.
