Inside the IELTS Listening Test
Time allowed: Approximately 30 minutes
The Listening section is divided into four parts, each containing 10 questions. The questions follow the order of the recording, making it easier to track the answers as you listen.
Parts 1 & 2: Everyday Social Contexts
Deals with everyday, social situations. There is a conversation between two speakers in Part 1 (for example, a conversation about travel arrangements). Only one person speaks in Part 2 (for example, a speech about local facilities).
Parts 3 & 4: Academic and Training Settings
Deals with educational and training situations. In Part 3 there is a conversation between two main speakers (for example, two university students in discussion, perhaps guided by a tutor). In Part 4 only one person speaks on an academic subject.
You will hear the recordings once only. Different accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand and North American, are used.
You will need to transfer your answers to an answer sheet. You will have 10 minutes at the end of the test to do this. You should be careful when writing your answers on the answer sheet because you will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar.
What Does the IELTS General Training Reading Section Include?
Time allowed: 60 minutes (including transfer time)
The IELTS General Training Reading test is divided into three sections, each designed to assess your reading skills at progressively higher levels of difficulty. Section 1 includes two or three short texts—or several brief texts—focused on everyday situations. These are the kinds of materials you might encounter while living in an English-speaking country, such as public notices, advertisements, or timetables. The task is to identify and extract key information relevant to daily life.
Section 2 contains two texts centered around workplace contexts. These may include job descriptions, employment contracts, staff development materials, or training documents. This section evaluates your ability to understand work-related language and concepts commonly used in professional environments.
Section 3 features one long and more complex text on a topic of general interest. The writing style is typically descriptive, offering detailed information, or instructive, explaining how something works or how to perform a task. These texts are sourced from newspapers, magazines, books, or online publications and require a deeper level of comprehension and analysis.
During the Reading test, you must transfer all your answers to the official answer sheet within the 60-minute time limit. Unlike the Listening test, no additional time is provided for this step. Accuracy is essential—marks may be lost for spelling or grammatical errors, so it’s important to write carefully and clearly when completing your answer sheet.
What Does the IELTS General Training Writing Section Include?
Time allowed: 60 minutes
The IELTS General Training Writing test consists of two compulsory tasks. Task 1 requires you to respond to a given situation by writing a letter. This could involve requesting information, explaining a circumstance, or addressing a specific issue. Your response should be at least 150 words, and it’s recommended that you spend around 20 minutes completing this task.
Task 2 presents a point of view, argument, or problem for you to discuss. You’ll need to develop a clear and well-supported response, using relevant examples and logical reasoning. This task should be at least 250 words, with approximately 40 minutes allocated for completion.
You must write your answers using full sentences. You must not write your answers as notes or bullet points. You must write your answers on the answer sheet. You are allowed to write notes on the question paper but these will not be seen by the examiner.
What Does the IELTS General Training Speaking Section Include?
Time allowed: 11-14 minutes
The IELTS Speaking test is conducted as a face-to-face interview between the candidate and a certified examiner. This interaction is recorded to ensure accuracy and quality in assessment. The test is divided into three distinct parts, each designed to evaluate different aspects of your spoken English. Every section follows a structured format, allowing examiners to assess your ability to communicate effectively across a range of topics and situations.
