There are two test versions available for IELTS:
Academic and General Training
Academic is for the people who are applying for higher education and General Training is for those who are migrating to countries like Australia, Canada and the UK or for those who ate applying for secondary education, training programs with work experience in an English speaking environment. And both test versions provides a valid and accurate assessment of the four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
TEST FORMAT
LISTENING - 30 minutes
There will be four recording of native English speakers and after listening those recordings, you will write answers to the gives series of questions.
Recording 1 – a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.
Recording 2 - a monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities.
Recording 3 – a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context, e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment.
Recording 4 - a monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture.
READING - 60 minutes
It consists of 40 questions which include reading for gist, main ideas, detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognizing writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose.
IELTS Academic test includes three long texts which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical which are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. And they are selected for those who are non-specialist audience but are appropriate for people entering university courses or seeking professional registration.
IELTS General Training test includes extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment.
WRITING - 60 minutes
IELTS Academic test
IELTS Academic test are of general interest to, and suitable for, test takers entering undergraduate and postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration. Test takers will be provided two tasks:
Task 1
In first task test takers will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarize or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.
Task 2
In second task test takers will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Responses to both tasks must be in a formal style.
IELTS General Training
It consists of topics which includes of general interest. And test takers will be provided two tasks
Task 1
In first task test takers will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information, or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
Task 2
In first task test takers will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be fairly personal in style.
SPEAKING - 11 - 14 minutes
The speaking component assesses your use of spoken English. Every test is recorded.
Part 1 - the examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes.
Part 2 - you will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic.
Part 3 - you will be asked further questions about the topic in Part 2. These will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts between four and five minutes.