Essential Information on IELTS

Listening

Timing

Approximately 30 minutes.

Questions

There are 40 questions.

Test Parts

There are 4 sections:

Section 1 is a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context (e.g. a conversation in an accommodation agency).

Section 2 is a monologue set in an everyday social context (e.g. a speech about local facilities or a talk about the arrangements for meals during a conference).

Section 3 is 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, or a group of students planning a research project).

Section 4 is a monologue on an academic subject (e.g. a university lecture).

Listening test

Each recording in the Listening test is heard once only.

You will be given time to read through the questions before you listen.

As you listen, you are required to write your answers.

Marking

Each correct answer receives 1 mark.

Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale.

Scores are reported in whole and half bands.

Academic Reading

IELTS Academic is for test takers wishing to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and for those seeking professional registration.

General Training Reading

IELTS General Training is for test takers wishing to migrate to an English-speaking country and for those wishing to train or study at below degree level.

Marking

Each correct answer receives 1 mark.

Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale.

Scores are reported in whole and half bands.

Speaking

Timing

11-14 minutes

Questions

There are 3 parts.

Part 1 Introduction and interview (4-5 minutes)

The examiner asks you general questions on familiar topics, e.g. home, family, work, studies and interests.

Part 2 Individual long turn (3-4 minutes)

The examiner gives you a task card which asks you to talk about a particular topic and which includes points you can cover in your talk.

You are given 1 minute to prepare your talk, and are given a pencil and paper to make notes.

You talk for 1-2 minutes on the topic.

Part 3 Two-way discussion (4-5 minutes)

The examiner asks further questions which are connected to the topic of Part 2.

These questions give you an opportunity to discuss more abstract issues and ideas.

Marking

You are assessed on your performance according to the IELTS Speaking test assessment criteria.

These include Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, Pronunciation.

Scores are reported in whole and half bands.

Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale.

Academic Writing

In Task 1, you are presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and are asked to describe, summarize or explain the information in your own words.

In Task 2, you are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

General Training Writing

In Task 1, you are presented with a situation and are asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation.

In Task 2, you are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

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