International English Language Testing System · British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge University Press & Assessment
IELTS tests all four skills on a 9-band scale. Listening, Reading and Writing are taken on the same day with no breaks, and the Speaking test is a face-to-face interview with an examiner, held on the same day or up to about a week before or after. You can take it on paper or on computer. The Listening and Speaking tests are the same for everyone; Reading and Writing are different for the Academic and General Training versions.
University study in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and many other countries (Academic)
Professional registration, for example for doctors and nurses (usually Academic)
Migration, work and secondary education in an English-speaking country (General Training)
Learners who prefer a speaking test with a real examiner rather than a computer
Versions
IELTS Academic
For university entry and professional registration. Reading uses three long texts from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. Writing Task 1 asks you to describe a graph, table, chart, process or diagram.
IELTS General Training
For work, migration and training. Reading moves from everyday texts (notices, adverts, timetables) to workplace texts and then one longer general-interest text. Writing Task 1 is a letter (personal, semi-formal or formal).
Test format
Listening
about 30 minutes · 40 questions in 4 parts
Part 1
A conversation between two people in an everyday situation, for example booking a course or asking about travel arrangements. Often form or note completion.
Part 2
One speaker talking about an everyday topic, such as local facilities or an event. Often multiple choice, matching or map/plan labelling.
Part 3
A conversation in an education or training context, for example two students discussing a project with a tutor.
Part 4
An academic lecture by one speaker. Usually note, table, flow-chart or sentence completion.
Question types
Multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form/note/table/flow-chart completion, sentence completion and short answers. You hear each recording once, and answers come in the same order as the recording.
Reading
60 minutes · 40 questions on 3 sections
Academic
Three long texts (2,150–2,750 words in total) for a non-specialist reader. At least one text contains a detailed argument.
General Training
Section 1: two or three short everyday texts. Section 2: two work-related texts. Section 3: one longer, more complex text on a topic of general interest.
Describe a graph, table, chart, process, map or diagram in at least 150 words. Spend about 20 minutes.
Task 1 (General Training)
Write a letter of at least 150 words, for example to complain, request information or explain a situation. The tone can be personal, semi-formal or formal. Spend about 20 minutes.
Task 2
Write an essay of at least 250 words in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Spend about 40 minutes. Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1.
Speaking
11–14 minutes · 3 parts
Part 1: Introduction and interview
4–5 minutes of questions about familiar topics such as your home, studies, work and interests.
Part 2: Long turn
You get a task card, have 1 minute to prepare and make notes, then speak for up to 2 minutes. The examiner may ask one or two follow-up questions.
Part 3: Discussion
4–5 minutes of more abstract questions linked to the Part 2 topic. You explain, compare, speculate and justify opinions.
Strategies that work
1Read the questions before each Listening recording and predict the type of answer (a number, a name, a noun).
2Check word limits: "NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS" means a three-word answer is wrong even if the meaning is right.
3In Reading, spend about 20 minutes per section and do not let one hard question take five minutes.
4Learn the difference between False (the text says the opposite) and Not Given (the text does not say).
5In Writing Task 1, include an overview of the main trends. Do not give your opinion or reasons that are not shown.
6Spend the full 40 minutes on Task 2, because it counts twice as much as Task 1.
7In Speaking, extend your answers with reasons and examples, and use the full 2 minutes in Part 2.
Your IELTS study plan
Work through these lessons in order, then try the timed practice.
