IELTS Exam Order
It is advantageous for test takers to have a good grasp of the IELTS format. Make sure you are familiar with the operational procedures of IELTS testing.The IELTS tests are categorized into two types: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. The grading system for both tests is identical.
The test consists of three parts, which you will take on the same day, in the following order: Listening, Reading, and Writing. There are no intervals or breaks between these sections.
Your Speaking test will be scheduled either on the same day or within a seven-day window before or after, depending on local arrangements.
Listening Section
The initial part of the IELTS exam is the Listening section. It consists of four recorded audio passages, played only once, and a set of questions related to each passage.
You will be provided with an answer sheet to write your answers while listening to the recordings. The questions progress in difficulty, and you will have 30 minutes to complete this section.
Reading Section
Following the Listening section, you will proceed to the Reading section. This section aims to evaluate your reading comprehension skills. There are three passages, usually taken from books, magazines, or newspapers, accompanied by a set of questions.
The questions may include multiple-choice, matching, sentence completion, or True/False/Not Given formats. You will be given a total of 60 minutes to finish the Reading section.
Writing Section
Following the Reading section, you will proceed to the Writing section. This section assesses your ability to express your thoughts in writing. It is divided into two tasks:
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Task 1
In this assignment, you will encounter a graph, table, chart, or diagram and will be tasked with providing a description or explanation of the information using your own expressions.
You should aim to write at least 150 words and spend approximately 20 minutes on this task.
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Task 2
The second task requires you to write an essay in response to a given prompt or statement. You should present your opinion, provide arguments, and support them with relevant examples. The recommended word count is at least 250 words, and you should allocate around 40 minutes for this task.
Speaking Section
The final section of the IELTS exam is the Speaking section, which assesses your spoken English skills. The Speaking section involves a face-to-face interview conducted by a certified examiner. It is divided into three distinct parts:
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Part 1
The examiner will ask you general questions about yourself, your interests, hobbies, work, or studies. This part helps the examiner establish a rapport and assess your ability to communicate in everyday situations.
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Part 2
You will receive a cue card containing a specific topic and will be asked to speak about it for 1-2 minutes. You will have one minute to prepare your response before speaking. This part evaluates your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself coherently.
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Part 3
During this segment, you will participate in a more in-depth conversation with the examiner on the subject presented in Part 2. The questions will be more abstract and focus on social issues, opinions, or giving reasons for your preferences.
Conclusion
Understanding the order of sections in the IELTS exam is essential for effective time management and preparation. By familiarizing yourself with the sequence of sections and the specific requirements of each, you can approach the exam with confidence and maximize your performance.
Remember to practice each section extensively and seek guidance from reputable study materials or preparation courses to improve your chances of success on the IELTS exam.
