Test Format

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.

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.

Listening* (30min)

Four recorded monologues and conversations

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.

Listening* (30min)

Four recorded monologues and conversations

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

Testimonials

IDP IELTS Masterclass really helpful, as preparation for the IELTS exam and give us support in many ways to improve our English.

Leny, Company CEO

This was a fantastic presentation! It was very clear, practical and moved at a good pace. I would highly recommend these webinars

Shauna, Student

The webinar which was held on the 1st of November was satisfactory, informative and valuable. All the questions were answered and explained in a proper way. Thank you!

Olena, Company CEO

I like that they are open to give us some information and kind of training course without any cost so we can get ready for this important test.

Danna, Student

Thanks to IDP IELTS Masterclass for the interesting webinar, it was very informative, well organised and practical.

Hussein, Student

Instructions before the IELTS written and speaking test were very clear and the people were nice and helpful. I found the written test pretty good. It was not too difficult, nor too simple. The results came quickly and I was accepted in the program and I am currently in the middle of my first year exams.

Nicholas Cletz, Company CEO

IELTS has been growing steadily for 20 years because it works. It’s good to know that IELTS has been the choice of millions of people over the years. IELTS stood out immediately because it tests all four skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening, giving a well-rounded assessment of my English

Arnik Surasarang, Teacher

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