IELTS assesses your abilities in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking – in less than three hours.
- IELTS is available in two versions: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
- The Listening and Speaking sections are the same for both versions, but the content of the Reading and Writing components differs depending on which test you take.
- The Listening, Reading and Writing components of all IELTS tests are completed on the same day, with no breaks in between them.
- The Speaking component, however, can be completed up to a week before or after the other tests. Your Test Centre will contact you regarding the exact date and time of your Speaking test.
- The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Test Format
IELTS Academic
The Academic version of IELTS measures English language proficiency needed for an academic, higher learning environment. The tasks and texts are accessible to all test takers, irrespective of their subject focus.
Reading* (60min)
- Three long reading passages with tasks
- Text range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical
- Includes non-verbal materials such as diagrams, graphs or illustrations
- Texts are authentic (i.e. taken from books, newspapers)
Writing* (60min)
- Writing task of at least 150 words where the test takers must summarise, describe or explain a table, graph, chart or diagram
- Short essay task of at least 250 words
Speaking* (11 to 14 min)
- Face-to-face interview
- Includes short questions, speaking at length about a familiar topic and a structured discussion
IELTS General Training
The General Training version of IELTSmeasures English language proficiency in a practical, everyday context. The tasks and texts reflect both workplace and social situations.
Reading* (60min)
- Three reading passages with tasks
- Section 1 contains two or three short factual texts
- Section 2 contains two short, work-related, factual texts
- Section 3 contains one longer text on a topic of general interest
- Texts are authentic (i.e taken from company handbooks, official documents, books, and newspapers)
Writing* (60min)
- Letter writing task of at least 150 words
- Short essay task of at least 250 words
Speaking* (11 to 14 min)
- Face-to-face interview
- Includes short questions, speaking at length about a familiar topic and a structured discussion
*The Listening and Speaking components are the same for both versions
