IELTS test format

An overview of the test
Listening
30 minutes
Test takers listen to four recorded texts, monologues and conversations by a range of native speakers, and write their answers to a series of questions.
Reading
60 minutes
The Academic test includes three long texts which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. The texts are authentic and are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers and are on academic topics of general interest. All have been selected for a non-specialist audience.

An overview of the test
Writing
60 minutes
The Academic test includes two tasks. Topics are selected to be of general interest and suitable for test takers entering undergraduate or postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration.
Task 1
Test takers are presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and are asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in their own words. They may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.
Task 2
Test takers are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Responses to both tasks must be written in an academic or semi-formal neutral style.

An overview of the test
Speaking
11–14 minutes
The Speaking test is carried out face-to-face with a trained IELTS examiner, as we believe this is the most effective way of assessing a test taker’s speaking skills. This section takes between 11 and 14 minutes to complete. Every test is digitally recorded and consists of three parts:
Part 1
Test takers answer general questions about themselves and a range of familiar topics, such as their home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes.
Part 2
Test takers are given a booklet which asks them to talk about a particular topic. They have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner may ask one or two questions on the same topic to finish this part of the test.
Part 3
Test takers are asked further questions which are connected to the topic in Part 2. These questions give the test taker an opportunity to discuss more abstract issues and ideas. This part lasts between four and five minutes. The format of the Speaking test is common across both the Academic and General Training tests. It is structured in such a way that does not allow test takers to rehearse set responses beforehand.

Listening* (30 minutes)
• Four recorded monologues and conversations
Reading (60 minutes)
• Three long reading passages with tasks
• Texts range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical
• Includes non-verbal materials such as diagrams, graphs or illustrations
• Texts are authentic (e.g. taken from books, journals and newspapers)
Writing (60 minutes)
• Writing task of at least 150 words where the test taker must summarise, describe or explain a table, graph, chart or diagram
• Short essay task of at least 250 words
Speaking (11 to 14 minutes)
• Face-to-face interview
• Includes short questions, speaking at length about a familiar topic and a structured discussion

Tips
Reading
Articles
Speed reading Breakingnewsenglish.com
Writing
CNN
BBC
The Guardian
The New York Times
Listening/ Speaking
TEDxtalk
Breakingnewsenglish.com

IELTS Academic Reading in detail