International English Language Testing System, popularly known as IELTS, is the world's proven English test for pursuing higher education and seeking employment. It is being conducted to test English expertise across the globe. IELTS is available in two testing formats - Academic and General Training. Academic Module is for those candidates who wish to study or acquire training in an English speaking university or institute for higher education. While appearing for the test, it is very essential for a candidate to know about the test content. A detailed analysis of the test structure of Academic Module of IELTS is given below.
Test Content for International English Language Testing System Academic Module
Academic Reading
- Academic Reading test is 60 minutes or one hour long test.
- The Academic Reading test is divided into three sections.
- The question paper consists of 40 questions.
- Content for the test mainly comes from books, journals, magazines and newspapers.
- Question types includes Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), identifying information, identifying writer's views, matching information, sentence completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short answer questions etc.
Academic Writing
- The Academic Writing test is an hour long test.
- The test has two writing tasks, each of 150 words and 250 words.
- Task I should be done within duration of 20 minutes in 150 words.
- Task I tests the candidate's ability to summarize the information and to compare things where relevant.
- Candidates must complete Task II in 250 words in time duration of 40 minutes.
- Task II tests the candidate’s ability of writing on any topic and justify his/her answer by quoting relevant examples from their own knowledge or experience.
Speaking
- The Speaking test is an interactive test.
- Candidates have a discussion with a certified examiner.
- Duration of the Speaking test is 11 to 14 minutes.
- The test has three parts.
- Part I includes questions about candidate's family and candidate himself/herself.
- Part II is about speaking on a topic given by the examiner. Candidates have to speak for one or two minutes on the topic. Candidates have one minute to think about what to say or speak.
- Part III includes a long discussion on any topic.
Listening
- The Listening test is divided into four sections.
- The test consists of 40 items.
- Duration of the test is 30 minutes.
