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IELTS Syllabus 2025, Section wise Key Features and Pattern

IELTS syllabus 2025 includes Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking sections. Stay ahead in your preparation with the latest updates on the IELTS exam syllabus and effective tips to improve your band score.
authorImageAbhinandan Kumar14 Aug, 2025
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IELTS Syllabus 2024

IELTS Syllabus 2025: The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a widely accepted English proficiency test worldwide. It is important for those who wish to study or work in English-speaking countries. Knowing the IELTS syllabus is important for better preparation and a good score.

 The IELTS exam syllabus consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each section assesses different language skills. The IELTS Listening section includes four audio recordings of conversations and monologues. The IELTS Reading section contains three passages with a total of 40 questions. The passages may consist of texts from books, newspapers, and journals. The writing section of IELTS has two tasks. In Task 1, candidates may be asked to describe visual information (like graphs or charts) or write a letter. Task 2 involves writing an essay on a given topic. On the other hand, the IELTS Speaking section is divided into three parts. It consists of an interview where candidates answer personal questions, speak on a given topic, and engage in a discussion.

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IELTS Syllabus 2025

The syllabus for the IELTS exam 2025 is considerably similar for both IELTS Academic and General Training. Therefore, students who are preparing for the IELTS exam can opt for similar preparation schedules to improve their overall IELTS band score. However, a little difference is observed in the duration and question types of the latest IELTS exam format. Below is a detailed description of the  IELTS exam pattern for both IELTS Academic and General Training. Follow the article till the end to learn detailed insights into the section-wise IELTS syllabus 2025.

IELTS Exam Pattern 2025 - Academic vs. General Training

Here is a detailed description of the IELTS exam format for the Academic test and General Training test.
IELTS Test Format
Component IELTS Academic Test IELTS General Training Time Allotted
IELTS Listening 4 parts, 40 questions 4 parts, 40 questions 30 minutes
IELTS Reading 3 passages, 40 questions 3 sections, 40 questions 60 minutes
IELTS Writing Task 1: Describe information; Task 2: Essay 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 Part 1: Introduction and Interview Part 2: Individual long turn Part 3: Discussion 11-14 minutes

IELTS Syllabus 2025 Section wise

IELTS exam syllabus contains a total of four sections, i.e., Reading, Speaking, Writing, and Listening. Here’s a detailed insight into the IELTS course syllabus section-wise in the following table:
Section-wise IELTS Syllabus 2025
Section Duration Number of Questions/Tasks Skills Assessed
Listening 30 minutes 40 questions (4 sections) Listening for main ideas, specific information, and opinions
Reading 60 minutes 40 questions (3 sections) Skimming, scanning, reading for detail, and inference
Writing 60 minutes 2 tasks Task achievement, coherence, lexical resource, and grammar
Speaking 11-14 minutes 3 parts Fluency, coherence, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation

IELTS Syllabus 2025 for Listening Exam

The Listening section of the IELTS exam assesses a candidate's ability to understand spoken English in various contexts, such as conversations and monologues. It evaluates skills like identifying key information, understanding main ideas, and following logical arguments.

Key Features of the IELTS Syllabus 2025 for Listening

  • Duration: 30 minutes + 10 minutes for answer transfer
  • Recordings: 4 (2 monologues, 2 conversations)
  • Accents: British, Australian, American, Canadian
  • Question Types: Multiple choice, matching, table/note completion
  • Scoring: 1 mark per correct answer
Key Features of IELTS Syllabus for Listening
Feature Details
Duration 30 minutes
Number of Sections 4 sections (2 monologues, 2 conversations)
Total Questions 40 questions
Question Types Multiple Choice, Matching, Note/Table Completion, etc.
Accents British, American, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian
Scoring Correct answers = 1 mark each
Skills Tested Listening for main ideas, specific information, opinions, etc.

IELTS Listening Exam Preparation Tips

  • Practice listening to a variety of English accents (British, American, Australian, etc.).
  • Focus on understanding context, main ideas, and specific details.
  • Take notes while listening to improve retention and accuracy.
  • Utilize official IELTS Listening practice tests to familiarize yourself with the format.
  • Improve concentration by listening to podcasts, audiobooks, and news channels.

IELTS Syllabus 2025 for Reading Exam

The Reading section of IELTS syllabus assesses a candidate's ability to understand written English in various contexts, such as descriptive, factual, and analytical texts. It evaluates skills like skimming, scanning , and understanding details, opinions, and arguments.

Key Features of the IELTS Syllabus 2025 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
Key Features of IELTS Syllabus for Reading
Feature Details
Duration 60 minutes
Number of Sections 3 sections
Total Questions 40 questions
Types of Reading Academic or General Training
Text Complexity Academic: Complex texts; General Training: Everyday texts
Question Types Multiple Choice, True/False/Not Given, Matching, etc.
Scoring 1 mark for each correct answer
Skills Tested Comprehension of main ideas, specific details, opinion analysis

IELTS Reading exam Preparation Tips

  • Practice skimming and scanning techniques to find key information quickly.
  • Read a variety of materials, such as newspapers, magazines, and academic articles.
  • Focus on understanding the structure of passages and identifying key arguments.
  • Take practice tests to familiarize yourself with different question types.
  • Improve vocabulary to better understand complex texts.
IELTS Reading Passage
Glacier IELTS Reading Answers Jargon IELTS Reading Answers
History of Refrigeration IELTS Reading Answers Otters IELTS Reading Answers
The Lost City IELTS Reading Answers The Innovation of Grocery Stores IELTS Reading Answers
Bring Back the Big Cats IELTS Reading Answers Food For Thoughts IELTS Reading Answers
The Persuaders IELTS Reading Answers The Awesome Banana IELTS Reading Answers
Why Are Finland’s Schools Successful? IELTS Reading Answers

IELTS Syllabus 2025 for Writing Exam

The IELTS Writing test evaluates a candidate's ability to write in English for academic or general purposes. This section consists of two tasks that assess a range of writing skills, including the ability to organize ideas, present arguments, and use language accurately. The Writing test differs slightly depending on whether a candidate is taking the Academic or General Training version of the exam.
  • Task 1 in the Academic test involves interpreting a visual representation of data, while in the General Training test, it involves writing a letter.
  • Task 2 in both versions involves writing an essay in response to a question or argument. 

Key Features of the IELTS Syllabus 2025 Writing Test:

  1. Duration: The total time for the Writing test is 60 minutes.
  2. 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.
  3. Word Count:
    • Task 1: At least 150 words.
    • Task 2: At least 250 words.
  4. Scoring:
    • Task 1 is worth 33% of the total Writing score.
    • Task 2 is worth 67% of the total Writing score.
  5. Skills Tested:
    • Task Achievement
    • Coherence and Cohesion
    • Lexical Resource
    • Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Key Features of the IELTS Writing Test
Feature Details
Duration 60 minutes
Number of Tasks 2 tasks (Task 1 and Task 2)
Task 1 (Academic) Report on visual data (graphs, charts, etc.)
Task 1 (General) Letter writing (formal, semi-formal, informal)
Task 2 Essay writing (response to a question or argument)
Word Count (Task 1) At least 150 words
Word Count (Task 2) At least 250 words
Scoring Task 1 = 33%, Task 2 = 67%
Skills Tested Task Achievement, Coherence, Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammar

Preparation for the IELTS Writing Test

  • Familiarize yourself with the task requirements for both Task 1 and Task 2 in both the Academic and General Training versions.
  • Practice writing in response to various types of prompts, including data interpretation and opinion essays.
  • Use a range of vocabulary for different types of writing tasks.
  • Focus on using complex sentences, but avoid grammatical mistakes.
  • Review high-scoring IELTS Writing samples to understand what makes them successful.
  • Review your writing and identify areas for improvement.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Related Links
IELTS Writing Task 1 Lessons Tips IELTS Writing Task 1 Table Chart
IELTS Writing Task 1 Line Graph IELTS Sample Charts for Writing Task 1
Types of IELTS Writing Task 1 Questions IELTS Writing Task 1 Life Cycle Diagram
IELTS General Writing Task 1 IELTS Writing Task 1 Connectors
IELTS Writing Task 1 vs. Writing Task 2 IELTS Writing Word Limit Guidelines

IELTS Syllabus 2025 for Speaking Exam

The IELTS Speaking test is designed to assess a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in spoken English. It is one of the four components of the IELTS exam, alongside Listening, Reading, and Writing. The Speaking test is the same for both the Academic and General Training versions of IELTS. It consists of three parts, and the entire test lasts approximately 11-14 minutes.
Key Features of the IELTS Speaking Test: 
  1. Duration: The Speaking test lasts between 11 and 14 minutes.
  2. Format:
    • Part 1 (Introduction and Interview) :
    • Part 2 (Long Turn) :
    • Part 3 (Discussion) :
  3. Scoring:
    • The Speaking test is scored based on four criteria:
      1. Fluency and Coherence
      2. Lexical Resource
      3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy
      4. Pronunciation
  4. Accent:
    • There is no specific requirement for a particular accent, as long as the candidate's speech is clear and understandable.
IELTS Syllabus 2025 Speaking Section
Feature Details
Duration 11-14 minutes
Number of Parts 3 parts (Introduction and Interview, Long Turn, Discussion)
Part 1 Introduction and questions on familiar topics (4-5 minutes)
Part 2 Long Turn (1-minute preparation, 1-2 minutes speaking)
Part 3 Discussion on abstract ideas (4-5 minutes)
Scoring Criteria Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range, Pronunciation
Band Score Scored from 0 to 9 based on performance
Accent Requirement No specific accent is required, as long as the speech is clear and understandable

Preparation for the IELTS Speaking Test

  • Understand the structure of each part of the test so you know what to expect.
  • Practice answering questions in a structured and logical manner.
  • Practice speaking English as much as possible with friends, family, or language partners.
  • Try to speak continuously without long pauses or hesitations.
  • Avoid basic grammatical mistakes such as subject-verb agreement and tense usage.
  • Focus on responding quickly to questions without overthinking your answers.
  • Practice answering common IELTS topics, such as:
    • Hobbies and interests
    • Travel and holidays
    • Technology and its impact on society
    • Education and learning
    • Environment and sustainability
    • Social issues

Understanding the IELTS syllabus for 2025 is the first step toward successful exam preparation. By focusing on each module's structure and scoring criteria, test-takers can better plan their practice and improve their chances of achieving a high band score.

IELTS Speaking Cue Cards

PW IELTS

Physics Wallah offers a few popular online IELTS courses for all students. Follow the latest IELTS articles to better prepare for the exam. 
What is IELTS Exam? Documents Required for IELTS Registration
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IELTS test results IELTS Exam Pattern

IELTS Syllabus 2025 FAQs

What is the format of IELTS for 2025?

The IELTS exam format for 2025 comprises four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The Listening section includes four recordings with 40 questions to be answered in 30 minutes. The Reading section consists of 40 questions to be completed in 60 minutes. The Writing section has two tasks to be finished in 60 minutes. The Speaking section involves a face-to-face interview lasting 11–14 minutes.

How to apply for IELTS exam 2025?

To apply for the IELTS exam in 2025, visit the official IELTS website or authorized test centers' websites. Create an account, select your preferred test type (Academic or General Training), choose a convenient test date and location, and complete the registration by paying the applicable fee. Ensure you have a valid passport for identification during registration and on test day.

What is the syllabus for IELTS?

The IELTS syllabus for 2025 includes four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The Listening section assesses understanding of main ideas and specific information. The Reading section evaluates comprehension of passages. The Writing section tests ability to describe data and present arguments. The Speaking section examines fluency and coherence in spoken English.

When to give IELTS for September 2025 intake?

For the September 2025 intake, it's advisable to take the IELTS exam by March or April 2025. This allows sufficient time for score reporting and application processes. IELTS test dates are available throughout the year; however, early registration is recommended to secure preferred dates and locations.

What topics are included in the IELTS exam syllabus 2025?

The IELTS exam syllabus 2025 covers Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking sections. Each section focuses on specific English language skills tested through varied question types.

Why is it important to understand the IELTS syllabus before preparation?

Knowing the IELTS syllabus helps candidates plan targeted preparation. It ensures familiarity with exam structure, improving accuracy and confidence.
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