Comprehensive IELTS preparation: Free Academic and General Training practice tests

At IDP, we curate practice tests based on our experience as a joint IELTS test owner to help you:

• Familiarise with the IELTS test format

• Test yourself and get used to real test time conditions

• Experience tasks similar to test tasks

• Review your answers by comparing them to model answers

With each practice test, you can be confident that your preparation is targeted for success.

Understanding the varied lifestyles of test takers, IDP offers a rich repository of free IELTS practice questions online. With seamless access anytime, anywhere, all you need is a device and an internet connection to leverage materials for all test segments and check against the answers key for instant feedback.

Ready to measure your readiness for the IELTS test and refine your preparation? Explore our practice questions below now.

Academic Reading test

The IELTS Academic Reading test includes three long texts, ranging from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical. They are authentic texts from books, journals, magazines and newspapers selected for a non-specialist audience but are appropriate for people entering university courses or seeking professional registration. 

Academic Reading free practice questions

Academic Writing test

Duration: 60 minutes

The IELTS Academic Writing test comprises two tasks covering topics related to areas of general interest. They are suitable for test takers entering university courses or seeking professional registration for their professional practice. Your written responses must be formal. 

Task 1  

You describe, summarise or explain the information in a graph, table, chart or diagram in your own words. You may also describe and present data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or an object, plan or design.  

Task 2  

You will write an essay responding to a point of view, argument or problem and support your point of view with relevant examples from your knowledge and experience. 

Academic Writing free practice questions

General Training Writing test

Duration: 60 minutes  

The General Training Writing test includes two tasks based on topics of general interest.  

Task 1  

You will write a letter requesting information on a situation or explaining the situation in a personal, semi-formal or formal style.  

Task 2  

You will write an essay responding to a point of view, argument or problem in this test segment. The essay’s style can be more personal than an IELTS Academic Writing task. You will support your point of view with relevant examples from your knowledge and experience. 

General Training Writing free practice questions

General Training Reading test

The IELTS General Training Reading test requires you to read extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter daily in an English-speaking environment. There are three parts to the test, with Part 1 containing two to three short texts, Part 2 containing two texts and Part 3 containing one longer text. 

General Training Reading free practice questions

IELTS Listening test

Duration: 30 minutes 

The IELTS Listening test is the same for the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training tests. You will answer 40 questions in response to four recordings. 

You will listen to four recordings, a mix of monologues and conversations from a range of native speakers, and you will only hear each recording once. There are 10 questions for each part of the IELTS Listening test.  

These questions test your ability to understand:

• Main ideas and detailed factual information 

• The opinions and attitudes of speakers 

• The purpose of an utterance 

• The ability to follow the development of ideas. 

Listening part details: 

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. 

Listening free practice questions

IELTS Speaking test

Duration: 11 to 14 minutes  

The IELTS Speaking test assesses your use of spoken English. It will last between 11 and 14 minutes, and you will discuss various topics in a quiet room with an IELTS examiner who will encourage you to keep speaking. Unlike an AI test, an IELTS examiner can make you feel relaxed and confident. They can also understand your accent to ensure you get the best possible score. There are 3 parts to the Speaking test you can practise for.  

Part 1  

The examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and various familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between 4 and 5 minutes.  

Part 2  

You will receive a task card, and the IELTS examiner will ask you to discuss a topic. You will have 1 minute to practise and prepare before speaking for up to 2 minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic to finish this part of the test.  

Part 3

You will be asked further questions connected to the topic in Part 2. These questions will allow you to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the IELTS test lasts between 4 and 5 minutes. 

Speaking free practice questions

For optimal results, try training your time management skills and understand the marking criteria so you can align your answers with what examiners seek. Above all, attempt more IELTS free online tests and practice questions to polish your answering skills. In doing so, you can set the stage for success.