IELTS Test Tips and Advice

There is no difference in the content, format or level of difficulty and scoring between IELTS General Training and Academic examination. The Listening Test remains the same for both the versions.

Test duration: 30 minutes

What is the IELTS Listening Test Format?

You will have to listen to four recordings (conversations and monologues) and then answer the questions asked. The recordings are of native English speakers and a variety of accents are used. Remember, you can hear each recording only once.

• Recording 1: You will listen to a dialogue placed in daily life and context.

• Recording 2: You will listen to a monologue about everyday life or social context. For instance, a talk on the condition of streets in an area.

• Recording 3: You will listen to a conversation between more than two people placed in a training or educational context. For instance, a teacher discussing an assignment with students.

• Recording 4: You will listen to a monologue on any academic subject. For instance, a college lecture.

Helpful Tips for IELTS Listening Test

• Before the recording begins for any section, do read all the questions carefully. This will help follow the recordings and identify the answers easily.

• Once a section is complete, you can move ahead and read up the questions for the next section.

• At times, there will be a list of options to make a pick from. It is not necessary that the answers will be in the order you hear them, they may could also be listed alphabetically.

• Do note the word limits for each section. If an instruction says, ‘Write no more than two words’, stick to it. If you write more than the specified limit, you may end up getting no marks for the attempted answer.

• Be attentive and look out for the key words or synonyms (words with same or nearly same meanings as another word) from the question. This can help identify the answer. For instance, if you hear in the recording: “She likes going to the gym and playing tennis”; it could reflect on your answer sheet/ screen (in computer-delivered IELTS) as “She is an active person.”

• In questions where you have to write down words spelled out in the recording, you need to be well aware of the English alphabets and how they are pronounced. For instance, the alphabet ‘W’ is pronounced as ‘double-u’).

• Listen carefully for words indicating the stage of the recording you are listening to, e.g. ‘firstly’, ‘my next point’, ‘to sum up’. These words help identify which question you have reached.

• while listening to a recording, you can keep crossing out the options that do not fit. It makes it easier to find the right option.

• If you have to mention dates in any answer, remember there are various correct ways to do so (e.g. April 24, 24th April and 24 April - all are correct).

• If you face trouble in answering any question, leave it and move on. Don’t waste time on it and end up panicking. If you have time left in the end, come back to it later.

• If you are taking IELTS on paper, you are given 10 minutes to transfer your answers from the Listening booklet to your answer sheet once the last recording is over. It is best to wait till the recordings end to transfer the responses to the answer sheet (and not in between sections) as you may end up missing some important information about the test’s next section.

Do note, you do not have an extra 10-minute transfer time in case of IELTS on computer.

To be better prepared, you can also download the range of other important official IDP Education IELTS preparation tools that we have available for you.

The General and Academic Training Reading tests are usually graded to the same level. However, the texts mentioned in the Academic Reading Test can be more challenging as compared to those mentioned in the General Training Test.

Test duration: 60 minutes (for both Academic and General tests)

IELTS Reading Test Format – Academic 

In your Reading test (Academic), you will find three sections, each having one long text.

These texts are excerpts borrowed from either books, magazines, or newspapers. These are usually around topics of general interest, and so you need not be specialist to answer them. These excerpts can range from being factual and descriptive to analytical and discursive. They may also have non-verbal elements like graphs, diagrams, or illustrations. If in case, there are jargons or technical terms used, a glossary will be provided.

IELTS Reading test format - General Training

In your Reading test (General Training), you will find three sections.

Section 1: Two or three factual texts (short), one of which may be composite (consisting of 6-8 short texts related by topic, e.g. hotel advertisements). Topics are relevant to everyday life in an English-speaking country.

Section 2: Two factual texts (short) that focus on work-related issues (e.g. company policies, applying for jobs, salary, workplace facilities, or staff development and training).

Section 3: Contains a slightly more complex and longer text on a generic topic. It will be passage taken from real notices, company handbooks, advertisements, books, official documents, magazines, or newspapers.

Helpful Tips for IELTS Reading Test

• Practise reading different kinds of texts in English to develop the habit of reading quickly.

• Before you answer any question, read each question properly to make it easier to find answers later. If you can, mark possible answers while you read. If you are taking IELTS on computer, make notes or even highlight any section of the text.

• Start with a cursory reading of the text to have a generic idea what it is about. Once you are a little familiar, read it carefully keeping in mind the questions to which you need to find the answers.

• Since you do not have to apply your own knowledge to answer the questions, all answers will be there in the passage itself. Read carefully to not miss them.

• While answering, ensure that you are using the correct spellings as given in the passage.

• Sometimes there can be questions to test upon your understanding of the given passage. For instance, the question could be about the topic, highlighting particular words or ideas denoting the core message of the passages.

• It is a good practice to mark important words as you read along. For instance, if there are important dates, mark them! It becomes easier to spot them if a question is asked around the same.

• Ensure your spellings are always correct, especially when you are copying from the passage.

• if you are attempting IELTS on paper, write your answers down on the answer sheet. You will not get any extra time later on to transfer any of your answers.

To be better prepared, you can also download the range of other important official IDP Education IELTS preparation tools that we have available for you.

The General and Academic Training Writing tests are usually graded to the same level. While IELTS Academic Writing test comprises topics suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate students, IELTS General Training module consists of excerpts on general topics from books, magazines, notices, company handbooks and guidelines that you are likely to face on a regular basis in an English-speaking environment.

Test duration: 60 minutes (for both Academic and General tests)

IELTS Writing test format – Academic.

There are two parts. Responses to Task 1 and Task 2 should be written in an academic, semi-formal or neutral style.

Task 1: You are presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and are asked to summarise and report the information in your own words. You may be asked to select and compare data, describe the stages of a process, describe an object or how something works.

Task 2: You are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.

The issues raised are of general interest to, suitable for and easily understood by test takers entering undergraduate or postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration.

IELTS Writing test format – General Training

There are two parts. Topics are of general interest.

Task 1: You are given a situation where you have to write a letter to request information from someone or explain the situation at hand. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.

Task 2: You are given to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. The essay can be less formal in style with a more personal response than the Academic Writing Task 2 essay. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.

Helpful Tips for IELTS Writing Test

• When you write your answers, remember the examiners are grading you on your expression. There are no wrong or right answers.

• Examine the questions properly and see that you cater to all parts of the question.

• Remember to stick to the word limit. If you happen to write lesser than 150 words in Task 1 or lesser than 250 in Task 2, you will lose marks.

• Always write the answers in your own language. If you use the words from the question exactly, you will not be given marks for the same.

• Do not use bullets in your answers, always write them in full. Arrange your basic ideas into different paragraphs. This shows the examiner how well you can organise your points.

• Do not concentrate on writing long and complicated answers. Write well, coherent and organise your thoughts well. Ensure, your grammar is immaculate.

• When attempting Academic Writing Task 1, you will have to select and compare relevant information from data presented in a graph, table or diagram. When writing the introduction, never copy the text from the question. Always use your own words.

• Task 2 of the Academic Writing test is an essay. Always plan the structure of your essay beforehand. Place a nice introduction, supporting ideas and real-life examples, followed by a conclusion.

• You are given 40 minutes to complete your essay for Task 2. Always take five minutes to first plan your answer before you start writing, and five minutes in the end to review for any mistakes.

• In your essay, keep the last paragraph for a valid conclusion of all the points you’ve made in the answer.

• Do not confuse between singular and plural nouns. Always double check your answers for this common mistake.

• Remember, spellings are everything. Standard American, British, and Australian spellings are all acceptable in IELTS.

To be better prepared, you can also download the range of other important official IDP Education IELTS preparation tools that we have available for you.

The Speaking test remains the same for both – (Academic and General Training). When you take IELTS on computer, the Speaking test remains face-to-face with a certified IELTS examiner.

Test duration: 11-14 minutes (for both Academic and General Training tests)

What is the IELTS Speaking Test Format?

There are three parts in a Speaking Test:

Part 1: (4–5 minutes) Introduction and interview. The IELTS examiner will introduce him/herself and will ask you to also introduce yourself, besides confirming your identity. The examiner will ask you generic questions on topics like family, studies, work, and your interests.

Part 2: (3–4 minutes) Individual long turn. The examiner will give you a task card with a topic written on it, with some points you may cover in your speech. You will have one minute to think and prepare upon the topic; a paper and pencilwill be provided to jot down your notes. Once done ideating, you will have a time of one to two minutes to speak on the subject followed by some questions on the same by the examiner.

Part 3: (4–5 minutes) Two-way discussion. The examiner will ask more questions related to the topic provided in Part 2 of the Speaking test. You can use this opportunity to talk about more ideas.

Helpful Tips for IELTS Speaking Test

• Before you take your test, start talking to your friends, family, and peers in English. You can also record yourself to hear how confident you sound and if you need to work on your pronunciation.

• Don’t fear giving wrong or right answers in your test. Remember, the examiner will see how articulate you are in expressing your opinions in English.

• There is no need to be stressed in your Speaking test. The examiner is not giving you marks on the answers you give, but on how well you can speak on your opinion of thought.

• Avoid repetition of examiner’s question as a part of your answer. Understand the question and rephrase it in your own language.

• Do not slow down or pace up your speaking. Be natural, like how you talk to people in regular life. Speaking quickly may end up in pronunciation mistakes.

• Try being as detailed as you can when answering. Develop your responses to each question rather than just answering in a ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

• Always use the correct verb tenses when answering the question. For instance, if you are asked ‘What kind of music do you like?’ (Present tense), do not answer in past tense.

• Practise how to pronounce the numbers clearly. For instance, when spoken, numbers like ‘Forty’ and ‘Fourteen’ may sound similar.

• Do not try to use complicated words in your conversation if you are not comfortable. Keep it simple and casual. However yes, if you can use advanced vocabulary, it will be of advantage.

• Try to provide your answer with reasons. This helps use a wider range of grammar and vocabulary.

To be better prepared, you can also download the range of other important official IDP Education IELTS preparation tools that we have available for you.