Introduction
International English Language Testing System is currently known as IELTS, is Conducted by British Council and IDP Education Ltd. IELTS is designed to test the language ability of people who want to study or work where English is used as the language of communication. Over 3 million tests are taken each year. The IELTS test assesses your abilities in listening, reading, writing and speaking – in less than three hours. Learning about the IELTS testing process would help to avoid stress and confusion on the test day at the test center.
There are two types of IELTS: Academic and General Training.
Listening and Speaking are the same for both tests, but the subject matter of the Reading and Writing sections differs depending on which test you take.
The Listening, Reading and Writing sections of all IELTS tests are completed on the same day, with no breaks in between them.
The Speaking section, however, can be completed up to a week before or after the other tests. Your test center will advise.
The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.
| Section Name | Number of questions | Time Duration | Marks | Task types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 40 | Approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes transfer time). | Each question is worth 1 mark. | A variety of question types are used, chosen from the following: multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion, sentence completion. |
| Section Name | Number of questions | Time Duration | Marks | Task types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Reading | 40 | 60 minutes | Each question is worth 1 mark. | A variety of question types are used, chosen from the following; multiple choice, identifying information, identifying the writer’s views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion and short-answer questions. |
| Section Name | Number of questions | Time Duration | Marks | Task types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Reading | 40 | 60 minutes | Each question is worth 1 mark. | A variety of question types are used, chosen from the following: multiple choice, identifying information, identifying writer’s views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short-answer questions. |
| Section Name | Number of questions | Time Duration | Marks | Task types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Writing | 2 | 60 minutes | - | In Task 1, test takers are asked to describe some visual information (graph/table/chart/diagram) in their own words. They need to write 150 words in about 20 minutes. In Task 2, they respond to a point of view or argument or problem. They need to write 250 words in about 40 minutes. |
| Section Name | Number of questions | Time Duration | Marks | Task types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Training Writing | 2 | 60 minutes | - | In Task 1, test takers are asked to respond to a situation, for example, by writing a letter requesting information or explaining a situation. In Task 2, test takers write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. |
| Section Name | Number of questions | Time Duration | Marks | Task types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | - | 11–14 minutes | - | There are three parts to the test and each part fulfils a specific function in terms of interaction pattern, task input and test takers output. |
ILETS - Related Information
IELTS Test Eligibility
IELTS Test Registration
IELTS Introduction
IELTS Test Disability Accommodations
IELTS Test Centers and Dates
