IELTS Test Format

IELTS Acadmic

The IELTS Academic test is appropriate for those who want to study in an English-speaking environment or at a university (higher education).

• IELTS Academic can also be used for professional registration.
• The test determines whether you are prepared to begin studying in English.
• It uses vocabulary that is common in academic settings.

IELTS General Training

For migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, IELTS General Training is required. The test focuses on everyday English language skills that you will need in social and professional settings. It can also be used for work experience or other job-related training.

Academic and General Training use the same Listening and Speaking tests but different Reading and Writing tests. Make certain that you are prepared for the appropriate type of test. All IELTS tests have the Listening, Reading, and Writing sections completed on the same day, with no breaks in between.

However, the Speaking test can be scheduled up to a week before or after the other tests. If you registered for IELTS online, your Speaking test will usually be scheduled before your other tests.

The entire test lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Listening

In the listening test, you will listen to 4 recordings, and answer 40 questions as you hear the recordings.

• Section 1 – Listening Conversation Between Two People
  This section will include two people having a conversation in a common social setting.
• Section 2 – Listening to a Monologue
  A monologue such as a speech on local amenities.
• Section 3 – Listening to a Conversation Between up to 4 People
  A conversation between up to four individuals that takes place in an instructional or training setting,such as a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment.
• Section 4 – Listening to a Monologue
  A monologue on an academic subject, such as a university lecture.

Different questions are asked from the following:

• Multiple Choice
• Matching
• Labeling a map, plan, or diagram
• Form completion
• Table completion
• Flow chart completion
• Note completion
• Summary completion
• Sentence completion
• Short Answers

Note: Extra 10 minutes are provided to transfer answers onto the answer sheet for the Paper-Based Test.

SPEAKING

Different questions are asked from the following:

• Part 1: Introduction
  General questions on familiar topics like family, friends, home, hobbies, or work.
• Part 2: Cue Card
  You need to speak on the topic given in the cue card. You have 1 minute to think and prepare and 2 minutes to speak. You will get a pencil and paper to make notes.
• Part 3: Discussion
  The examiner discusses the topic given in Part 2 in detail with you.

READING

IELTS Academic Reading Format

The Academic Reading test is made up of 3 long texts which are taken from current books, journals, magazines and newspapers. You will have to answer 40 questions in the Academic Reading test. The texts are related to topics you might face if you were to study at an undergraduate or postgraduate level or apply for professional registration in an English-speaking environment.

Different questions are asked from the following:

• Multiple Choice
• Identifying information [True/False/Not Given]
• Identifying writer’s claims/views
• Matching information, headings, features, sentence endings
• Complete sentence, summary, note, table, flow chart, diagram label
• Short Answers

Note: Passages are taken from authentic sources like books, magazines, journals, and newspapers.

IELTS General Training Reading Format

The General Training Reading test consists of three sections and 40 questions. It focuses on situations you might face in everyday life, work-related issues such as applying for a job, and topics of general interest.

• Section 1 – looks at your social survival skills.
• Section 2 – takes a closer look at your workplace survival skills.
• Section 3 –contains a long and more complex text on a topic of general interest.

Different questions are asked from the following:

• Multiple Choice
• Identifying information [True/False/Not Given]
• Identifying writer’s claims/views
• Matching information, headings, features, sentence endings
• Complete sentence, summary, note, table, flow chart, diagram label
• Short Answers