Components of Academic IELTS Test

The IELTS test is divided into four sections, which assess different aspects of a candidate's English language proficiency. The components of the IELTS test are:

1. Listening: This section measures the candidate's ability to understand spoken English in academic and everyday contexts. It consists of four recordings of native English speakers, which increase in difficulty. The test taker has to answer 40 questions in 30 minutes.
2. Reading: This section measures the candidate's ability to read and comprehend academic texts. It consists of three passages with increasing difficulty, each followed by 13-14 questions. Test takers have one hour to complete the section.
3. Writing: This section measures the candidate's ability to produce written English in academic contexts. It consists of two tasks. Task 1 requires the candidate to describe, summarize or explain a chart, diagram, or table. Task 2 requires the candidate to write an essay in response to a prompt. The writing section lasts for one hour.
4. Speaking: This section measures the candidate's ability to communicate orally in English. It is a one-on-one interview with an examiner and takes about 11-14 minutes to complete. The test taker is asked a series of questions on general topics and topics related to their field of study or work.

The IELTS test is designed to assess the language proficiency of candidates who want to study or work in an English-speaking environment. The test is widely recognized and accepted by universities, colleges, and employers in many countries around the world.