The IELTS test has two forms: the Academic test (or module) and the General Training test (or module). The module that you take depends on the reason that you are taking it for.

The IELTS exam pattern comprises of four modules - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules.

There is a choice between Academic and General Training in the Reading and Writing Modules.

Paper Content Time

Listening 40 questions Approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes’ transfer time)

Reading 40 questions 60 minutes

Writing 2 tasks 60 minutes

Speaking 3 parts 11–14 minutes

Candidates take the listening, reading and writing tests all on the same day one after the other, without any breaks in between them.

The speaking test is either conducted after a break on the same day as the other three tests, or within seven days before or after that.