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There are two types of the IELTS test:  IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Listening and Speaking are the same for both tests, but the subject matter of the Reading and Writing components differs depending on which test you take. ​The total test time is nearly 3 hours.

Test format – Listening - 30 minutes

You will listen to four recordings of native English speakers and then write your answers to a series of questions.

• Recording 1 – a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.

• Recording 2 - a monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities.

• Recording 3 – 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.

• Recording 4 - a monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture.

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Test format – Reading - 60 minutes

IELTS Academic test - this includes three long texts which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. 

IELTS General Training test - this includes extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. 
 

Test format – Academic Writing - 60 minutes

IELTS Academic test

There are two tasks:

• Task 1 - you will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You 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 - you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. 

IELTS General Training

Topics are of general interest. There are two tasks:

• Task 1 - you will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information, or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.

• Task 2 - you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. 

Test format – Speaking - 11–14 minutes

The speaking component assesses your use of spoken English. Every test is recorded.

• Part 1 - the examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes.

• Part 2  - you will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. 

• Part 3 - you will be asked further questions about the topic in Part 2. These will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts between four and five minutes.

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