Format at a glance
The test takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes in total. Section order, number of questions and timing are the same on paper and computer. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so attempt every question.
| Section | Duration | Questions or tasks | What changes between versions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | about 30 min | 40 questions in 4 parts | Nothing. It is the same in Academic and General Training. |
| Reading | 60 min | 40 questions in 3 sections | The texts: academic in Academic, everyday and workplace texts in General Training. |
| Writing | 60 min | 2 tasks | Task 1: describe a chart in Academic, write a letter in General Training. |
| Speaking | 11 to 14 min | an interview in 3 parts | Nothing. It is the same in both versions. |
Listening
You listen to four recordings and answer as you listen. The voices use a range of accents. On paper, you have 10 extra minutes to transfer answers to the answer sheet; on computer, 2 minutes to check them.
| Part | What you hear | What you need to catch |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | A conversation between two people in an everyday situation, such as someone asking for information about accommodation. | Exact details: names, numbers, dates and addresses. |
| Part 2 | One person speaking about an everyday topic, such as services offered in a neighborhood. | Locate information and follow a description. |
| Part 3 | A conversation among up to four people in a study context, such as students discussing an assignment with their teacher. | Opinions, agreement and who supports what. |
| Part 4 | A lecture or talk on an academic topic. | The main idea, arguments and technical terms. |
Question types
- Multiple choiceMultiple choice
- Choose one answer from three options, or two or more from a longer list.
- MatchingMatching
- Match items from the recording to a list of options, such as people and opinions.
- Plan, map or diagramPlan, map, diagram labelling
- Complete the labels on a drawing based on what is described.
- Form, table or flow chart completionForm, note, table, flow-chart completion
- Fill gaps with words you hear, within the stated limit.
- Sentence completionSentence completion
- Finish sentences with the main information from a passage.
- Short-answer questionsShort-answer questions
- Answer direct questions with a few words or numbers.
Respect the word limit. If the instruction says NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS, an answer with three words is considered wrong, even when the information is correct.
Reading
This section tests whether you can find information, understand main ideas and details, and recognize the writer's opinion. The question types are the same in both versions; the texts are different.
Three long texts
Drawn from books, journals, magazines and newspapers, written for a non-specialist audience. At least one contains detailed argumentation.
Texts from everyday life to the workplace
Section 1 has short notices and advertisements. Section 2 has workplace texts, such as job descriptions and training materials. Section 3 has a longer text of general interest.
Question types
- Multiple choiceMultiple choice
- Choose the option that matches a fact or the meaning of the passage.
- True, False or Not GivenTrue / False / Not Given
- Say whether the text confirms, contradicts or simply does not mention the statement.
- The author's opinionYes / No / Not Given
- Say whether the statement represents what the author thinks.
- Matching informationMatching information
- Find the paragraph where an example, reason or description appears.
- Matching headingsMatching headings
- Choose the heading that summarizes the main idea of each paragraph.
- Matching featuresMatching features
- Match statements to people, theories or dates. Options may be unused or repeated.
- Matching sentence endingsMatching sentence endings
- Choose the ending that completes the sentence with the right meaning and grammar.
- Sentence completionSentence completion
- Fill in words from the text itself, within the limit.
- Summary or table completionSummary, note, table, flow-chart completion
- Complete a summary or sequence with information from the text.
- Diagram labelsDiagram label completion
- Label the parts of a process or object described.
- Short-answer questionsShort-answer questions
- Answer using information from the text, within the word limit.
Writing
Two pieces of writing in the same timed block. You manage the clock; the recommendation is 20 minutes for the first and 40 for the second.
Describe visual information
Summarize what a line, bar or pie chart, table, process or map shows. Do not give an opinion or invent causes.
Write a letter
Respond to a situation by asking for information, making a complaint or explaining something. The tone may be formal, semiformal or personal, depending on whom you are writing to.
Argumentative essay
Respond to a point of view, argument or problem, with a clear position, developed ideas and examples. General Training topics tend to be more general.
How it is scored
All four criteria have equal weight. Writing fewer than the minimum number of words can lower your score on more than one criterion, not only Task Achievement or Task Response.
Practice Writing on the platformSpeaking
A conversation with an examiner, always live, including in the computer-delivered version. The three parts follow a fixed order and become more abstract at each stage.
Introduction and questions about you: your home, work or studies, routine and interests.
You receive a card with a topic, have 1 minute to make notes and speak for up to 2 minutes.
Discussion with more abstract questions related to the topic in Part 2.
How it is scored
Frequently asked questions
Academic or General Training: which should I take?
Academic for undergraduate or postgraduate study abroad and some professional registrations. General Training for work, professional experience and immigration processes. The institution or authority receiving your result decides.
Does IELTS on computer have a different format?
No. The sections, questions and timing are the same. Only the way you answer changes, and Speaking remains face to face with the examiner.
Does a wrong answer lose points?
No. Each correct answer adds one point in Listening and Reading, and a wrong or blank answer simply adds nothing.
How long does the whole test take?
About 2 hours and 45 minutes for the four sections, all on the same day.