WHAT DOES THE ACADEMIC IELTS TEST CONSIST OF?

1. The Listening Module

Requirements

• You must listen to four separate sections and answer questions as you listen. You will hear the audio once only
• There will be between 38-40 questions. The test will take about 30 minutes. There will be time to read the questions during the test and time to transfer your answers on to the answer sheet at the end of the test.
• The level of difficulty of the texts and tasks increases through the paper.

Situation types

• The first two sections are based on social situations. There will be a conversation between two speakers and then a monologue.
• The second two sections are related to an educational or training context. There will be a conversation with up to four speakers and a lecture or talk of general academic interest.

Question types

You will meet a variety of question types which may include:

• Multiple choice
• Short answer questions
• Sentence completion
• Notes/ summary/ flow chart/ table completion
• Labelling a diagram which has numbered parts
• Matching

2. The Speaking Module

Requirements

From July 2001, there will be some revisions to the IELTS Speaking Module. The test maintains the one-to-one format, is rated on a scale of 1 to 9 as before and lasts for about 14 minutes. The main differences are in the overall format and nature of the tasks, which will now look like this:

Part 1: Introduction and interview 4 to 5 minutes.

The examiner will introduce him/herself and check the identity of the candidate. The examiner will then ask the candidate a number of questions based on everyday topics, such as families, occupations, hobbies, etc. using a set framework. Candidates should try to give a full answer to each question.

Part 2: Individual long turn 3 to 4 minutes.

The candidate must speak for 1 to 2 minutes on a topic provided by the examiner. This will be written on a card. The candidate will have one minutes to prepare what he/she is going to say. When the candidate has finished speaking, the examiner may ask one or two follow-up questions to round off this part of the test.

Part 3. Two-way discussion 4 to 5 minutes.

The examiner will invite the candidate to discuss a number of issues linked broadly to the Part 2 topic. The candidate will be encouraged to develop language of a more abstract nature.

Assessment

Throughout the test candidates will be assessed on their overall fluency, their vocabulary resource, and the range and accuracy of grammatical structures used. Pronunciation is very important and will also count towards the final score.

3. Academic Reading Module

Requirements

• You must read three reading passages with a total of 1,500 to 2,500 words.
• There will be between 38 and 42 questions. You will have 60 minutes to answer all the questions
• The level of difficulty of the texts and tasks increases through the paper.

Types of material

• Magazines, journals, textbooks and newspapers.
• Topics are not discipline specific but all are in a style appropriate and accessible to candidates entering postgraduate and undergraduate courses.

Question types

You will meet a variety of question types, which may include:

• Multiple choice
• Short answer questions
• Sentence completion
• Notes/ summary/ flow chart/ table completion
• Choosing from a bank of headings
• Identification of writer’s views or attitudes (Yes/No/Not given)
• Classification
• Matching lists
• Matching phrases

4. Academic Writing Module

Requirements

You must complete two writing tasks. You will have 60 minutes to complete both tasks. You should spend about 20 minutes on Task 1 and write at least 150 words. You should spend about 40 minutes on Task 2 and write at least 250 words.

Task types

Task 1

Your writing will be assessed on your ability to:

• Organize, present and compare data
• Describe the stages of a process
• Describe an object or event
• Explain how something works

You will also be judged on your ability to:

• Answer the question without straying from the topic.
• Write in a way which allows reader to follow your ideas.
• Use English grammar and syntax accurately.
• Use appropriate language in terms of register, style and content.

Task 2

You will have to present an argument or discuss a problem. Your writing will be assessed on your ability to:

• Present a solution to a problem.
• Present and justify an opinion
• Compare and contrast evidence and opinions
• Evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument

You will also be judged on your ability to:

• Communicate an idea to the reader in an appropriate style.
• Address the problem without straying from the topic.
• Use English grammar and syntax accurately.
• Use appropriate language in terms of register, style and content.

Vanessa Jakeman & Clare McDowell – Cambridge IELTS 1