The IELTS test is your gateway to studying abroad. Understanding the format of the test is essential in helping you achieve your best score.
There are two IELTS tests available. Both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training tests have the following components:
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
The tests are graded in the same manner. However, the Academic and General Training tests serve two different purposes.
IELTS Academic test
The IELTS Academic test is suitable for individuals looking to study at a university in an English-speaking country.
IELTS General Training test
The IELTS General Training test is taken by individuals looking to study, work and live in English-speaking countries.
1. Listening
The IELTS listening test is designed to test your ability to:
understand the main ideas and detailed factual information
identify the opinions, stances and attitudes of the speakers
follow the development of ideas and arguments
The listening test format is the same for both IELTS Academic and General Training.
Test format | You will listen to four different recordings of native English speakers. - Recording 1 - involves a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context - Recording 2 - involves a monologue set in an everyday social context (e.g. a speech about working a job) - Recording 3 - involves a conversation between a small group of people set in an educational or training context (e.g. a project discussion between students in a university) - Recording 4 - involves a monologue on an academic subject (e.g. a university lecture on the environment) |
Timing | Paper-based test: The test will last for approximately 30 minutes. You will be given an additional 10 minutes to transfer answers written on your question booklet to your answer sheet. Computer-delivered test: The test will last for approximately 30 minutes. While you will have time between each recording, you won’t have time to transfer any answers as you will be typing them in during the assessment. |
Number of questions | 40 questions |
Task Types | There will be four distinct types of tasks: - Task type 1 - multiple choice - Task type 2 - matching - Task type 3 - plan, map, diagram labelling - Task type 4 - form, note, table, flow-chart, summary completion - Task type 5 - sentence completion - Task type 6 - short-answer questions |
Marks | One mark is awarded for each correct answer. The scores, which are out of 40, are then converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are then reported in whole bands and half bands. You are advised to take note of your spelling and grammar when writing your answers down. Any errors might be penalised. |
Resources | Prepare better for your IELTS listening test with IDP: - Please highlight 3 to 4 resources to showcase |
2. Reading
The IELTS reading test is designed to test your ability in:
reading for the gist of a passage
reading for the main ideas
reading for detail
skimming and scanning
understanding logical arguments and their meanings
recognising the writer’s opinion, attitudes and purpose
While the objectives of the reading test are similar for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, the content of the text passages will be different.
Reading test format for IELTS Academic
Test format | You will be reading three passages and answering a variety of questions across a number of different task types. The reading sources will: - Include texts taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers - Involve issues that are interesting and accessible to test takers looking to pursue an undergraduate or postgraduate course - Include at least one detailed logical argument, and might contain diagrams, graphs or illustrations - Provide a simple glossary if any technical terms or jargon are involved |
Timing | Paper-based test and computer-delivered test: The test will last for approximately 60 minutes. There will be no extra time provided for transferring your answers. You will have to transfer your answers to the answer sheet during the time allocated for the test itself. |
Number of questions | 40 questions |
Task Types | There will be eleven distinct types of tasks: - Task type 1 - multiple choice - Task type 2 - identifying information - Task type 3 - identifying writer’s views or claims - Task type 4 - matching information - Task type 5 - matching headings - Task type 6 - matching features - Task type 7 - matching sentence endings - Task type 8 - sentence completion - Task type 9 - summary, note, table, flow-chart completion - Task type 10 - diagram label completion - Task type 11 - short answer questions |
Marks | One mark is awarded for each correct answer. The scores, out of 40, are then converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are then reported in whole bands and half bands. You are advised to take note of your spelling and grammar when writing your answers down. Any errors might be penalised. |
Resources | Prepare better for your IELTS Academic Reading test with IDP: - Please highlight 3 to 4 resources to showcase |
Reading test format for IELTS General Training
Test format | The reading test will be split across three sections in which you will read and answer a variety of questions across a number of different task types. - Section 1 - involves texts relevant to ‘social survival’. These will be passages that include notices, advertisements and timetables - Section 2 - focuses on ‘workplace survival’. Passages will be from job descriptions, contracts and staff training materials - Section 3 - involves reading in a general nature. This will include texts from magazines, newspapers and book extracts |
Timing | Paper-based test and computer-delivered test: The test will last for approximately 60 minutes. There will be no extra time provided for transferring your answers. You will have to transfer your answers to the answer sheet during the time allocated for the test itself. |
Number of questions | 40 questions |
Task Types | There will be eleven distinct types of tasks: - Task type 1 - multiple choice - Task type 2 - identifying information - Task type 3 - identifying writer’s views or claims - Task type 4 - matching information - Task type 5 - matching headings - Task type 6 - matching features - Task type 7 - matching sentence endings - Task type 8 - sentence completion - Task type 9 - summary, note, table, flow-chart completion - Task type 10 - diagram label completion - Task type 11 - short answer questions |
Marks | One mark is awarded for each correct answer. The scores, out of 40, are then converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are then reported in whole bands and half bands. You are advised to take note of your spelling and grammar when writing your answers down. Any errors might be penalised. |
Resources | Prepare better for your IELTS General Training Reading test with IDP: - Please highlight 3 to 4 resources to showcase |
3. Writing
The IELTS writing test is designed to test your ability to:
Present your point of view or argument
Showcase your vocabulary and grammar appropriately
Describe and explain the information presented in data, diagrams and charts
While the objectives of the writing test are similar for both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, the topics and the tasks will be different.
Writing test format for IELTS Academic
Test format | In the IELTS Academic Writing test, you will have to complete two writing tasks. Part 1 - Describing visual information - You will be asked to describe facts or figures that are presented in various visual mediums. This includes graphs, charts or tables. The topic will be of an academic nature. - Alternatively, you could be asked to describe an object, an event or how a process works. - You are required to write at least 150 words in an academic or semi-formal style. - You shouldn’t spend more than 20 minutes on task 1. The test is 60 minutes in total and it is recommended to reserve 40 minutes for task 2. Objective: You will be evaluated based on your ability to relay information accurately and coherently. You will also be judged on your lexical resource and appropriate use of grammar and vocabulary. Part 2 - Responding to an argument or point of view - You will be given a topic to write about in a discursive manner. The topics can range from education and technology to health and the environment. - You are required to write at least 250 words in an academic or semi-formal style. You are also advised to dive deep into the topic. - You shouldn’t spend more than 40 minutes on task 2. The test is 60 minutes in total and it is recommended to allocate 20 minutes for task 1. Objective: You will be evaluated based on your ability to formulate and present your position supported by evidence and examples. This may be drawn from your own personal experience or anecdotes. You will also be judged on your lexical resource and appropriate use of grammar and vocabulary. |
Timing | Paper-based test and computer-delivered test: The test will last for approximately 60 minutes. |
Marks | The writing test will be marked by certified and approved IELTS examiners. Scores will be reported in whole and half bands. It is important to note that Task 2’s assessment carries more weight in marking than in Task 1. |
Resources | Prepare better for your IELTS Academic Writing test with IDP: - Please highlight 3 to 4 resources to showcase |
Writing test format for IELTS General Training
Test format | In the IELTS General Training Writing test, you will have to complete two writing tasks. Part 1 - Writing a letter about a situation - You will be presented with a situation and tasked to write a letter explaining the situation or requesting more information. - These are common everyday situations such as university accommodations, addressing an employer or communicating with a professional organisation. - You are required to write at least 150 words in a formal, informal or semi-formal style. - You shouldn’t spend more than 20 minutes on task 1. The test is 60 minutes in total and it is recommended to reserve 40 minutes for task 2. Objective: You will be evaluated based on your ability to relay information accurately and coherently. You will also be judged on your lexical resource and appropriate use of grammar and vocabulary. Part 2 - Essay response to a problem or point of view - You will be given information about a point of view, argument or problem. You will then write an essay to further discuss this as instructed. - a topic to write about in a discursive manner. The topics can range from education and the environment to family issues. - You are required to write at least 250 words in an academic or semi-formal style. You are also advised to dive deep into the topic. - You shouldn’t spend more than 40 minutes on task 2. The test is 60 minutes in total and it is recommended to allocate 20 minutes for task 1. Objective: You will be evaluated based on your ability to formulate and present your position supported by evidence and examples. This may be drawn from your own personal experience or anecdotes. You will also be judged on your lexical resource and appropriate use of grammar and vocabulary. |
Timing | Paper-based test and computer-delivered test: The test will last for approximately 60 minutes. |
Marks | The writing test will be marked by certified and approved IELTS examiners. Scores will be reported in whole and half bands. It is important to note that Task 2’s assessment carries more weight in marking than in Task 1. |
Resources | Prepare better for your IELTS General Training Writing test with IDP: - Please highlight 3 to 4 resources to showcase |
4. Speaking
The IELTS speaking test is designed to test your use of spoken English. The speaking test will be a conversation between you and an examiner. It will be conducted as closely as possible to a real-life engaging interaction.
The test will assess your ability to:
Showcase fluency and coherence in your speech (e.g. how well you link ideas as well as forming coherent and smooth sentences)
Demonstrate your range of vocabulary and how accurately you use it in appropriate conversation (e.g. how well you can add colour, depth and description to a conversation)
Hold a smooth conversation with good pronunciation
Showcase your opinion, discuss around it and justify your viewpoints
The listening test format is the same for both IELTS Academic and General Training.
Test format | You will have three conversations with the examiner. This will be split into three parts, each with its own task types. Part 1 - Introduction and interview - The examiner starts by introducing themselves and verifying your identity. They will then proceed to ask you a series of general questions related to familiar subjects like home, family, work, studies, and interests. - These questions are selected from a predefined script to maintain consistency. The duration of Part 1 is approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Objective: You will be evaluated based on your ability to express your opinions and convey information about everyday topics and common experiences or situations by responding to a variety of questions. Part 2 - Individual long turn - The examiner will hand you a task card that tells them what topic to discuss. The card also provides some key points to include in your talk and to explain one aspect of the topic. - You will be given one minute to prepare and provided with a pencil and paper to jot down any notes you want. You will then be invited to speak about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes without interruption. Once you have finished, the examiner will then ask you one or two questions on the same topic. Objective: Your ability to speak at length on a given topic, without additional prompts from the examiner, while using suitable language and effectively organizing your ideas coherently, will be assessed. You may need to draw upon your personal experiences to successfully complete the task. Part 3 - Discussion - The examiner will engage in a conversation with you to discuss issues related to the topic in part two. The discussion will be in a general way with the potential to explore in greater depth. - This discussion will last for approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Objective: You will be assessed on your ability to express and justify your opinion as well as how you analyse, discuss and speculate about issues. |
Timing | 11 - 14 minutes |
Marks | Certified IELTS examiners will evaluate your speaking performances. Your scores are reported in whole and half bands. You will be marked according to your: - Fluency and coherence - Lexical resource - Grammatical range and accuracy - Pronunciation |
Resources | Prepare better for your IELTS listening test with IDP: - Please highlight 3 to 4 resources to showcase |
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