Comprehensive IELTS preparation: free Academic and General Training practice tests

Embarking on your IELTS journey with IDP's free online practice tests offers benefits crucial for your preparation. The practice tests are designed to be authentic and comprehensive, ensuring you receive a true-to-life IELTS experience.

With each IELTS practice test you take, you’re simulating the actual exam in content and structure, enabling you to benefit in the following ways:

• Familiarise yourself 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

This comprehensive preparation helps you build proficiency in every aspect of the test to embrace your test with confidence.

Preparing for the IELTS test is an important step in your educational or professional journey, and IDP is here to make this step as seamless as possible. These practice resources are available anytime, ensuring flexible preparation around your schedule. Get instant feedback, aiding your improvement and focused study. With IDP, you’re not just preparing for an exam; you’re gearing up for success in your educational and professional endeavours, all from the comfort of your home.

Starting your practice today with IDP not only equips you with valuable resources but also instils the confidence needed to excel. Dive into our collection of free online practice tests below and begin your journey to IELTS success with IDP.

Academic Reading test

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

Academic Reading free practice test

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 will 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 describe an object, plan or design.

Task 2

You will write an essay in response 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 test

General Training Writing test

Duration: 60 minutes  

The IELTS 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 in response to a point of view, argument or problem. This essay may adopt a slightly more personal style than the IELTS Academic Writing task. You will support your point of view with relevant examples from your knowledge and experience.

General Training Writing free practice test

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 test

IELTS Listening test

Duration: 30 minutes 

The IELTS Listening test is the same for both the IELTS Academic and General Training tests. You will 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 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 test

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 three parts to the 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 four and five minutes.  

Part 2

You will receive a task card, and the examiner will ask you to discuss a topic. You will have one minute to practise and prepare before speaking for up to two 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 four and five minutes. 

Speaking free practice test

Maximise your IELTS success with smart strategies: attempt diverse IELTS online practice tests to familiarise yourself with the test format and improve your time management. Understand IELTS examiner expectations and regularly self-review to identify strengths and areas for improvement. After all, effective preparation is about consistent practice and focused improvement.

Ready to embark on your IELTS journey? Explore our range of online practice tests, and take advantage of our free support resources. Join thousands of successful IELTS test-takers who have achieved their goals with IDP.