IELTS Overview

Test Format

Listening
30 minutes

Academic reading General training reading

60 minutes 60 minutes

Academic writing General training writing

60 minutes 60 minutes

Speaking
11-14 minutes
Listening Test
What you need to know about IELTS
listening
Listening
Time: 30 minutes + 10 minutes answer transfer

Questions: 40

Sections: 4

Question Types: multiple choice, map labelling,

form completion, sentence completion, etc
Example Questions
Listening
Section 1: normal conversation between 2 people,
often on the phone
Section 2: one person talking in everyday context
Section 3: 2-4 people talking in an academic setting
Section 4: a monologue (usually a lecture) in an
academic context (university)
Skills Assessed
In this exam, you will be tested on your
ability to:

» Understand main ideas and specific

details
» Infer opinions and recognize ideas
» Follow a conversation
Example Test
Listen to the exam IELTS Listening Exam.
Reading Test
Key facts about IELTS Reading
Reading
Time: 60 minutes

Questions: 40

Sections: 3 (up to 2,750 words)

Questions types: multiple choice, T/F/NG,

identifying views, matching headings, etc
Kinds of Text
These are non-specialist reading passages taken
from magazines, books, journals, and
newspapers

Academic topics of “general interest”

Descriptive, factual, discursive, or argumentative

- one will contain a “logical argument”

May contain diagrams, images, etc

Notes
If difficult words (ie technical terms) are included,
a glossary is given with definition

No extra time is allowed for answer transfer

Each question = 1 mark

Example
Let’s look at a PDF document from an IELTS
practice test book.
Reading Skills Assessed
You should be able to do the following:

» Reading for main idea

» Reading for details
» Understanding subtle ideas
» Recognizing opinions
Writing Exam
What you need to know for IELTS Writing
Writing
Time: 60 minutes

Sections: 2

Word count: 150 words for task 1

250 words for task 2
Writing
Task 1
Describe a table, chart, graph, illustration,
diagram, or map. Spend about 20 minutes.

Task 2
Respond to a prompt, asking for an argument or
point of view, with an essay. Spend about 40
minutes.
Requirements

You must:
» Write in a formal style
» Adhere to a simple structure
» Answer the question directly
» Stay above the minimum word count
Task 1
Here are some examples of what you may need
to describe. In each case, you should only write
about the main features, highlighting any
comparisons if necessary.

For Task 1, you should never give opinions or

add extra details.
Bar Chart
Line Graph
Pie Chart
Table
Process Diagram
Map
Combination
Skills Assessed
Your writing should show your:

» Vocabulary
» Grammar
» Structure
» Understanding
Speaking
Key facts about IELTS Speaking
Speaking
Time: 11-14 minutes

Sections: 3

Type: Face-to-face interview, which is recorded

Speaking Part 1
Examiners confirms the candidate’s identity

Questions are short and simple like a basic

conversation

Topics include home, family, work, hobbies

Lasts 4-5 minutes

Speaking Part 2
Examiner gives a “cue card” with a task.
Candidate must talk for 1-2 minutes.

You have 1 minute to prepare

Question is usually “describe…” something

Examiner will ask one or two follow-up questions.

Total time 3-4 minutes

Speaking Part 3
Longer discussion based upon part 2 topic

Answers must be longer and more detailed

Ideas can be difficult and answers should be

substantial

Time: 4-5 minutes

Example
Let’s watch a video of an IELTS Speaking Exam