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International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Syllabus

English language proficiency test required for university admission and UK visas for non-native speakers.. The complete International English Language Testing System (IELTS) outline — 7 subjects, 28 chapters and 116 topics — laid out so you can see exactly what has to be covered and tick each item off as you go.

7Subjects

28Chapters

116Topics

60Sub-topics

352Flashcards

~100hEst. first pass

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) subjects

Each subject below has its own page with the full chapter → topic → sub-topic tree and a set of real exam-style flashcards.

IELTS Test Overview and Strategy

4 chapters · 16 topics · 19 sub-topics

~15h first pass · 50 flashcards Listening

4 chapters · 17 topics · 9 sub-topics

~15h first pass · 50 flashcards Academic Reading

4 chapters · 18 topics · 4 sub-topics

~15h first pass · 51 flashcards General Training Reading

3 chapters · 10 topics · 4 sub-topics

~8h first pass · 50 flashcards Writing

5 chapters · 23 topics · 13 sub-topics

~20h first pass · 51 flashcards Speaking

4 chapters · 16 topics · 8 sub-topics

~15h first pass · 50 flashcards Language Systems for IELTS

4 chapters · 16 topics · 3 sub-topics

~15h first pass · 50 flashcards

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) flashcard decks

352 question-and-answer cards across 7 decks, written against this syllabus. Preview any deck free.

How to work through the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) syllabus

The outline on this page is arranged the way the syllabus itself is: subject, then chapter, then topic, then sub-topic. That last level is what most study plans skip, and it is where coverage actually goes wrong — a chapter marked "done" often has three sub-topics inside it that were never touched.

Weight your plan accordingly: Writing carries 23 topics while General Training Reading carries 10. Giving both the same number of weeks is the most common planning mistake for International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

The ~100 hour estimate above is a first pass only: roughly 45 minutes per topic plus 12 minutes per sub-topic. Revision cycles, past papers and mocks sit on top of that number.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) syllabus FAQ

What subjects are in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) syllabus?

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) covers 7 subjects: IELTS Test Overview and Strategy, Listening, Academic Reading, General Training Reading, Writing, Speaking and Language Systems for IELTS. Together they contain 28 chapters and 116 named topics.

How much do you have to study for International English Language Testing System (IELTS)?

The full International English Language Testing System (IELTS) outline breaks down into 28 chapters, 116 topics and 60 sub-topics. Writing is the largest single subject with 23 topics across 5 chapters.

How long does it take to cover the whole International English Language Testing System (IELTS) syllabus?

Roughly 100 hours for one full pass. That estimate allows about 45 minutes per topic plus 12 minutes per sub-topic, so it is first-pass coverage — revision, past papers and mock tests sit on top of it. At 3 hours a day that is about 5 weeks.

Are there International English Language Testing System (IELTS) flashcards?

Yes — 352 question-and-answer flashcards across 7 decks, one per subject, written against this syllabus. A sample of every deck is readable on this site for free, and the complete decks are in the Examius app.

Is this International English Language Testing System (IELTS) syllabus free to use?

Yes. Every page here is free to read, and importing the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) syllabus into the Examius app to tick off topics as you finish them is free too, in United Kingdom and everywhere else. No account is needed to start.

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