IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is used as the language of communication. IELTS is required for entry to university in the UK and other countries.
Who is it for?
What is the IELTS test like?
You can choose between the Academic or General Training versions of the test. All candidates do the same Listening and Speaking sections. The Academic version of IELTS is harder than the general version. The IELTS Academic test is suitable for those wanting to study in an English-speaking environment or university (higher education). You can also take IELTS Academic for professional registration purposes.
The test has four sections:
- Listening - 4 sections, 40 questions, 30 minutes
- Speaking - interview, 11-14 minutes
- Reading - different for Academic or General Training - 3 sections, 40 questions, 60 minutes
- Writing - different for Academic or General Training - 2 pieces of writing, 60 minutes
Level and scores
Multi-level. You get a score between 1 and 9. Half scores such as 6.5 are possible. Universities often demand a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or 7.0. They may also demand a minimum score of 6.0 in each of the 4 sections.
Not all universities require IELTS, some can have interviews. If you are given the option, however, you should ask for one. Asking for an interview helps show that you are genuinely interested in attending the program and also lets the interviewer learn about you beyond what’s included in your application packet.
IELTS Listening
About the IELTS Listening test
- You will listen to 4 different recordings and answer 40 questions.
- The test takes approximately 30 minutes. You will have an additional ten minutes to transfer your answers to an answer sheet
- You only hear the audio once.
- A variety of voices and native-speaker accents are used, including British, Australian, New Zealand, American and Canadian.
- You will hear conversations and monologues, with topics ranging from the everyday social to the academic.
- A variety of question types are used, including multiple choice, form completion, note completion, summary completion, sentence completion, and short-answer questions.
- Candidates for IELTS Academic and IELTS General both do the same listening test
Listening Tips
- Read the instructions and questions carefully before you listen.
- Try to get an idea of the situation. Who are the speakers? Where are they? Why are they speaking?
- Remember, you will only hear the audio once. You will need to read, write and listen all at the same time.
- Listen for 'signpost words' such as however, although and finally. They help you to anticipate what the speaker will say.
IELTS Academic Reading
About the IELTS Academic Reading test
- Each section contains one long text.
- Texts are authentic and are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. They have been written for a non-specialist audience and are on academic topics of general interest.
- Texts are appropriate to, and accessible to, candidates entering undergraduate or postgraduate courses or seeking professional registration.
- Texts range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. Texts may contain non-verbal materials such as diagrams, graphs or illustrations. If texts contain technical terms, then a simple glossary is provided.
- There are three texts and 40 questions.
IELTS Academic Writing
About the IELTS Academic Writing test
2 pieces of writing, 60 minutes
- In Task 1, candidates are presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and are asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in their own words. They may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.
- In Task 2, candidates are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.Responses to Task 1 and Task 2 should be written in a formal style
IELTS Speaking
The speaking test takes 11-14 minutes and consists of an interview with an examiner. The interview is recorded.
The speaking test has three parts:
| Part 1 Introduction and interview | Examiner introduces him/herself and checks your name. The examiner then ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics.. | 4–5 minutes |
| Part 2 Individual long turn | Examiner gives you a written task card. You have 1 minute to think (take notes) before you have to speak for 1–2 minutes. Examiner asks one or two questions at the end of your talk. | 3–4 minutes (including 1 minute preparation time) |
| Part 3 Two-way discussion | Discuss with the examiner more abstract issues and concepts which are thematically linked to the topic of your talk in Part 2. | 4–5 minutes |
IELTS Vocabulary
There is no specific vocabulary section in the IELTS test but you will need to understand and be able to use a large number of words to do well in all sections of the exam.
If you are doing the Academic version of IELTS you should study the words in the Academic word list.
Vocabulary learning tips
Read as much as possible. If you come across a word you don't know, write it down or look it up.
Use a dictionary. Many browsers include dictionaries.If you are reading online, you may be able to right-click on a word to look it up.
Think of ways of remembering words. Do they sound like a word in your own language?
Remember words are often used together with other words. Try to learn these 'collocations.
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