The instrument rating is broken into three modules.
Basic attitude instrument flying (15 hours)
1. Constant airspeed climbs, descents, turns
- Instrument preflight, aircraft systems, equipment requirements
- Instrument errors, common failures
2. Partial panel, timed turns to headings
3. Unusual attitudes
- ATC and procedures for instrument flight operations
- Lost communications procedures, IFR FARs, AIM applicable articles, 
- Weather reports and forecast products, trend interpretations, adverse weather avoidance
4. VOR tracking and GPS procedure
Approach and IFR procedures (20 hours)
- IFR navigation and approaches by use of navigation systems
- IFR enroute charts and approach charts
5. VOR approaches
6. ILS approaches
7. RNAV approaches
8. Holding patterns
9. IFR Cross country (>250 NM with 3 different approaches)
Checkride preparation (5 hours)
10. Review maneuvers and approach types above until proficient to take the instrument rating checkride
- Review ground topics until proficient at demonstrating adequate level of IFR knowledge