IELTS

IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training are designed to cover the full range of abilities from
non-user to expert user. The Academic version is for test takers who want to study at the tertiary
level in an English-speaking country or seek professional registration. The General Training version
is for test takers who want to work, train, study at a secondary school or migrate to an English-
speaking country.

The difference between the Academic and General Training versions is the content, context, and
purpose of the tasks. All other features, such as timing allocation, length of written responses, and
reporting of scores, are the same.

IELTS Academic and General Training both incorporate the following features:

• IELTS tests the ability to listen, read, write and speak in English.
• The speaking module is a key component of IELTS. It is conducted in the form of a one-
to-one interview with an examiner. The examiner assesses the test taker as they are
speaking. The speaking session is also recorded for monitoring and for re-marking in
case of an appeal against the score given.
• A variety of accents and writing styles have been presented in test materials in order to
minimize linguistic bias. The accents in the listening section are generally
80% British, Australian, New Zealander and 20% others (mostly American).
• IELTS is developed by experts at Cambridge English Language Assessment with input
from item writers from around the world. Teams are located in the US, UK, Australia,
New Zealand, Canada, and other English-speaking nations.
• Band scores are used for each language sub-skill (Listening, Reading, Writing, and
Speaking). They are averaged out to derive the overall band score for each test taker.

IELTS test structure

Modules
There are two modules of the IELTS:

• Academic Module and

• General Training Module
There's also a separate test offered by the IELTS test partners, called IELTS Life Skills:

• IELTS Academic is intended for those who want to enroll in universities and other
institutions of higher education and for professionals such as medical doctors and nurses
who want to study or practice in an English-speaking country.
• IELTS General Training is intended for those planning to undertake non-academic
training or to gain work experience, or for immigration purposes.
• IELTS Life Skills is intended for those who need to prove their English speaking and
listening skills at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
levels A1 or B1 and can be used to apply for a 'family of a settled person' visa, indefinite
leave to remain or citizenship in the UK.
The four parts of the IELTS test
• Listening: 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes' transfer time)
• Reading: 60 minutes
• Writing: 60 minutes
• Speaking: 11–14 minutes
The total test time is: 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Listening, Reading and Writing are completed in one sitting. The Speaking test may be taken on the
same day or up to seven days before or after the other tests.

All test takers take the same Listening and Speaking tests, while the Reading and Writing tests differ
depending on whether the test taker is taking the Academic or General Training versions of the
test.

How the IELTS Band Scores are Calculated

All IELTS scores are between 0 and 9. You can also get .5 scores as well (for example,
6.5 or 7.5). You will get a band score for each skill (listening, reading, writing and
speaking) and also an overall band score. The overall band score is the average score
of all the skills. See the table below as an example.

As explained on the IELTS website, overall test results are calculated to the nearest 0.5
or nearest whole band score. This means if the final score is not a precise 7.5 (as
shown in the table above), your score is pushed to the nearest whole score or half score
depending which is nearest. Below you can see examples of how this works according
to IELTS:
If your overall score is 6.1, your score will go down to 6. This is the nearest whole band
score. In other words, 6.1 is closer to band 6 than to 6.5.
If your overall score is calculated to be 6.85, your final result will be band 7. This is
because 6.85 is closer to band 7 than to band 6.5.
If your overall score is an average of 6.25, your score will be increased to 6.5. The
score 6.25 is actually precisely between band 6 and 6.5, so in this case IELTS will push
it up to the nearest score which is 6.5.
If your overall score is an average of 6.75, your score will be increased to 7. This score
again is precisely between 6.5 and band 7. In this case, your score will be rounded up
to band 7.
Band Score Descriptions
The table below gives a description of each band score with information about the level
of English required for band scores 5 to 9
Listening and Reading Band Scores
Your listening and reading scores are calculated by the number of correct answers you
have out of the 40 questions in the test. You do not lose points for incorrect answers.
Note: There is only one listening test for both GT and Academic candidates. This means
you all take the same test with the same marking.

IELTS Listening Scores

IELTS Reading Scores (Academic)

IELTS Reading Scores (GT)

IELTS Writing Assessment Criteria

Both writing task 1 and task 2 are assessed using 4 criteria. Please see the
table below for details of each marking criteria.

Note: Both GT and Academic candidates will have the same marking
criteria and scoring for task 2, even though the GT essay questions are
often slightly easier. However, for writing task 1 GT candidates must write
a letter, while Academic candidates must write a report. For this reason,
marking for Task Achievement is slightly different, but for the other three
criteria, the marking is the same.
IELTS Speaking Assessment Criteria
Below are the marking criteria for IELTS speaking.
Note: There is only one speaking test. Regardless of whether you are a GT or Academic
candidate, you will take the same test with the same marking.

IELTS Listening Tips

There is only one listening test for all IELTS candidates. That means Academic and GT
candidates will take the same listening test with the same scoring.
The IELTS listening test lasted for a total of 40 mins.
The IELTS listening recording will last for 30 mins.
There are four parts to the IELTS Listening test:
❖ Conversation between 2 people: social context
❖ A speech or talk with just one person: social context
❖ Conversation between up to four people: educational or training context
❖ A talk by one person on an academic subject
Please note again that all IELTS candidates take the same listening test. The GT candidates take
the same listening test.
For the paper based listening test, you must listen and write your answers on the questions
paper at the same time. After the recording ends, you will be given an extra 10 mins to transfer
your answers from the question paper to the answer sheet.
For the computer delivered IELTS listening test, put your answers directly into the computer. You
are NOT given 10 mins to transfer answers because the answers are already in the computer.
Instead you have 2 mins to review your answers and change anything you need to. This is the
only difference between the paper and computer listening test.
For each set of questions there will be a word count limit – you need to pay close attention to
the limit and how it changes for the next set of questions.
For example: write no more than two words and/or a number – you can write one word, two
words OR a combination of one or two words with a number OR just a number on its own.
Always notice if it allows “a number” or “numbers”.
You can learn how words are counted for IELTS listening on this page:

Counting Words: How are words counted – Answers

The answers below show how these words and numbers are counted in IELTS
writing and IELTS listening. The reading test uses the same system as the listening
test.
fair-haired: This is counted as one word. It is a compound noun but it is connected
by a hyphen to make one word.
55%: This is counted as one word in writing and as one number in listening.
1960’s : This is counted as one word in writing and one number in listening.
21st July : This is counted as two words in writing and in listening is it one number
and one word.
can’t : This is counted as one word. Although it has a meaning of two words, the
words are contracted to make one word.
Blackboard: This is counted as one word only.
9am: This is counted as one word in writing. In listening, it is counted as one
number only. The “am” does not count as a word on its own.
up-to-date : This is counted as one word because it is a compound noun joined
with hyphens.
at school: This is counted as two words.
$19.17: This is counted as one word in writing and in listening it is counted as one
number. Symbols do not count at all.
You will have time to read the questions before the recording starts.
If the word is spelled wrong, it will be marked wrong.

More Listening Tips

Below is a list of IELTS listening tips that have been given in the video above. Read
these tips carefully.

1. The recording will be played only once. You will not hear it a second time.
1. You must practice completing a full listening test by listening only
once before your test. You should do this a number of times.
2. When you are developing skills and vocabulary, you might want to
practice listening more than once. This is fine when you are in
training.
2. You will need to multitask. This means you must be able to read the questions,
listen for the answer and write down words all at the same time. You should
practice doing this.
3. Practice transferring your answers to the answer sheet at home before your test.
Here is a link to download the IELTS listening answer sheet.
4. You should write your answers on the answer sheet using pencil not a pen. This is
the same as the IELTS reading test.
5. Scores are calculated by the number of points you got correct. Here is a link to
learn all about the IELTS band scores: IELTS Band Scores Explained. You don’t lose
a mark if your answer is wrong. Your score will not change due to incorrect
answers.
6. If you don’t know an answer, guess. Always write something in the box on your
answer sheet. Who knows, maybe you guess right!!
7. You can write your answer using capital or lower-case letters. However, I
recommend using all capital letters.
8. Check the number of words you can have for your answer. Each time the question
type changes, the number of words for the answer might change too. Here is an
example of instructions: “No more than two words and/or a number”. To learn
exactly what these instructions mean, please watch the video lesson above.
9. Check the instructions to see if you can have a number (which means only one) or
numbers (plural which means more than one number).
10. How words and numbers are calculated:
1. A date “1950” is considered one number.
2. A large number “1,000,500” is considered one word.
 3. A hyphenated word “part-time” is considered one word.
4. A compound noun which is not hyphenated “tennis shoe” is
considered two words.
11. “at the hospital” or “hospital”. Should you write the article and preposition? Your
answer will depend on the type of question you have. If you are completing the
sentence, for example:
1. The best place to meet is ………. = the answer must be grammatically
correct so you need “at the hospital”.
2. If the question is a note or form completion, such each 1) PLACE: ……
= the answer can be just one word (with or without the article)
“hospital” or “the hospital” (if two words are possible.
12. SPELLING!!! If your answer is spelled wrong, the answer is marked wrong. You
must have the correct spelling to get a point and have the answer marked correct.
1. Don’t worry about spelling while you are listening because you don’t
have time to concentrate on spelling. You need to concentrate on
listening to the recording and following the questions.
2. Check your spelling when you transfer your answers to the answer
sheet. That is the time to check and make sure everything is correct.
13. Writing letters or words. If you get a multiple-choice question, it will ask you to
write down the letter as your answer. For example:
1. a) spring
2. b) summer
3. c) winter
4. If the answer is b, you must write “b” on your answer sheet not
“summer”. The word “summer” would be marked wrong because the
instructions ask you to write a letter not a word.
14. IELTS Listening Question Types
1. form completion
2. note completion
3. summary completion
4. sentence completion
5. multiple choice
6. diagram labelling
7. map labelling
8. table completion
9. form chart
10. If you want practice with these types of question, go to my IELTS
listening page.
15. Don’t try to understand everything. IELTS will add lots of extra information but
you only need to listen for answers. Keep yourself focused on listening for answers
to questions.
 16. Answers may come quickly. You might get three answers in a very short time. Get
ready to write your answers down quickly. Answers may come slowly. There may
be a gap between answers. Don’t panic. This is common in section 4.
17. Look out for answers which are plural. IELTS know that students have difficulty
hearing the plural “s”. So, these answers will certainly be given to test your
listening ability.
18. Common Problems
1. Giving the answer and then changing it. Here is an example: “Is it ok
to meet at 7pm?” / “Yes, 7pm works fine for me” / “Oh I’ve just
remembered I have a late meeting, could we make it half past
instead?” The answer was 7pm but then the speaker changed it to
7.30pm. Always keep listening and be ready for the speaker to change
the answer.
2. Similar words might not be the right answer. Watch this video
about IELTS listening multiple choice to understand this tip.
19. If you miss an answer, just move on to the next question. Don’t waste time. Don’t
lose your place in the recording.
20. CONCENTRATE!!! 30 minutes is a long time to actively listen for answers. If you
lose focus, you will miss answers. Don’t let that happen to you. Practice full tests at
home to build up your ability to concentrate

IELTS Listening Test Summary

1. All students take the same test. Both academic and GT students take the same
listening test. It is marked in the same way.
2. There are 40 questions
3. There are 4 sections
1. Section 1 = two speakers. This is often a telephone conversation
between two people, for example organising a place on a course,
booking a table at a restaurant or renting an apartment. You must
listen for specific information, such as names (tips on listening for
names), dates, times (tips on listening for time), places and numbers.
2. Section 2 = one speaker. This is often a talk from a guide. You might
hear information about a building, a resort, a company, a charity etc.
3. Section 3 = three or four speakers. This is an academic discussion. It
could either be two students talking with a professor or a student
presenting their resource to their colleagues.
4. Section 4 = one speaker. This is an academic lecture.
4. The sections get more difficult as the test progresses. This means section 1 is the
easiest and section 4 is the most difficult.
5. The listening test is 40 mins.
1. 30 minutes to listen to the recording and write down your answer on
the question paper.
2. 10 minutes to transfer your answers from the question paper to the
answer sheet.
6. IELTS is an international test. There will be a range of accents but the main accents
will probably be British and Australian.
7. IELTS accept either British English or American English spelling.