Benefits of practising IELTS with our free tests
Unlock your potential for success in the IELTS test by utilising IDP Education's free practice tests, designed to provide authentic and comprehensive preparation. Our practice materials are crafted with precision, mirroring the format and difficulty level of the actual IELTS test. This authenticity ensures that you experience the closest simulation possible, with all four modules—Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking—providing a holistic preparation experience and benefits such as:
Get familiar 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 to model answers
Why Take an IELTS Practice Test?
Elevate your IELTS preparation with IDP Education's free online practice materials, offering a convenient and comprehensive way to enhance your skills. Accessing these resources is simple—visit the IDP Education website and navigate to the dedicated IELTS practice section. Here, you'll find a wealth of practice tests covering all four modules: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
The benefits of practising online with IDP Education are threefold. First, convenience takes centre stage as you can access these materials anytime, anywhere, aligning your preparation with your schedule. Second, the online platform ensures unparalleled accessibility, allowing you to engage with the practice tests on various devices. Lastly, experience instant feedback, an invaluable feature that provides insights into your performance, helping you identify strengths and areas for improvement.
Types of IELTS Practice Tests Available
Embark on your IELTS preparation journey today with IDP Education's free practice tests. Get a sneak peek into the comprehensive resources we offer by exploring our free samples below.
Academic Reading test
Academic Reading free sample questions
The Academic Reading test includes three long texts which range from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical. The texts are authentic and are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. These have been selected for a non-specialist audience but are appropriate for people entering university courses or seeking professional registration.
Academic Writing test
Academic Writing free sample questions
Duration: 60 minutes
The IELTS Academic Writing test is made up of two tasks. The topics in these tasks are related to areas of general interest and are suitable for test takers entering undergraduate and postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration. Responses to both tasks must be written in a formal style.
Task 1
You will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and present data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object, plan or design.
Task 2
You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. You will support your point of view with relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.
General Training Writing test
General Training Writing free sample questions
Duration: 60 minutes
The General Training Writing test includes two tasks that are based on topics of general interest.
Task 1
You will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
Task 2
You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be slightly more personal in style compared to an Academic Writing task. You will support your point of view with relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.
IELTS General Training Reading test
The 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 in the test, with Part 1 containing two to three short texts, Part 2 contains two texts and Part 3 contains one longer text.
General Training Reading free sample question
IELTS Listening test
Listening free sample questions
Duration: 30 minutes
The Listening test is the same for both IELTS Academic test and IELTS General Training test. You will need to answer 40 questions in response to four recordings.
You will listen to four recordings which are 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 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.
IELTS Speaking test
Speaking free sample questions
Duration: 11 to 14 minutes
The Speaking test will assess your use of spoken English. The test will last between 11 and 14 minutes where you will discuss a variety of topics with an IELTS examiner. Your test will take place in a quiet room with an examiner who will encourage you to keep speaking. Unlike an AI test, an IELTS examiner will be able to make you feel relaxed and confident. They’re also able to understand your accent to ensure you get the best possible score. There are 3 parts to the Speaking test.
Part 1
The examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between 4 and 5 minutes.
Part 2
You will be given a task card and the examiner will ask you to talk about a topic. You will have 1 minute to 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 test lasts between 4 and 5 minutes.
Free IELTS Practice Tests: What You Need to Know
Achieving success in the IELTS test requires not just practise but effective and strategic preparation. Here are some general tips and techniques to make the most out of your IELTS practice:
Time management: Simulate test conditions by practising with time constraints. Allocate specific time limits for each section during your practice sessions to enhance your ability to manage time effectively during the actual test.
Understanding criteria: Familiarise yourself with the scoring criteria for each module—Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking along with the differences between preparation for the Academic test and General Training tests. This understanding will help you tailor your responses to meet the specific requirements of each section, maximising your potential for scoring higher.
Self-assessment: Develop a habit of self-assessment. After completing a practice test or familiarisation test, critically review your answers. Identify areas where you excelled and those that need improvement. This reflective process allows you to focus your efforts on enhancing specific skills.
