IELTS Test Format and Rules
Understanding the structure and rules of the IELTS test is crucial for effective preparation. Here's a breakdown of each section and important test day information.
Total test time is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes for Listening, Reading, and Writing sections. The Speaking test takes 11-14 minutes.
Test Section Formats
- Format: 4 sections, 40 questions total.
- Sections 1 & 2: Based on everyday social situations (e.g., conversations, monologues about arrangements).
- Sections 3 & 4: Based on educational or training contexts (e.g., conversation between students/tutor, academic lecture).
- Audio: You hear the recording only ONCE. A range of accents (British, Australian, New Zealand, American, etc.) are used.
- Question Types: Multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion, sentence completion.
- Paper-based Test: You get 10 extra minutes at the end to transfer answers to the answer sheet.
- Computer-delivered Test: You type answers directly; small time given to check answers at the end of each section.
- Format: 3 sections, 40 questions total.
- Timing: Exactly 60 minutes. No extra time is given to transfer answers.
- IELTS Academic Reading:
- Texts are long and taken from books, journals, magazines, newspapers.
- Topics are suitable for entry to undergraduate or postgraduate courses or professional registration.
- Texts range from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical. May include diagrams, graphs or illustrations.
- IELTS General Training Reading:
- Texts are taken from notices, advertisements, company handbooks, official documents, books, magazines, newspapers.
- Section 1 contains texts relevant to everyday life.
- Section 2 focuses on work contexts.
- Section 3 contains one longer, more complex text on a topic of general interest.
- Question Types: Multiple choice, identifying information (True/False/Not Given), identifying writer's views/claims (Yes/No/Not Given), matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary/note/table/flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short-answer questions.
- Format: 2 tasks.
- Timing: Exactly 60 minutes total. It's recommended to spend about 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2 (Task 2 contributes more to the score).
- IELTS Academic Writing:
- Task 1: Describe visual information (graph, table, chart, diagram) in your own words (min. 150 words).
- Task 2: Write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem (min. 250 words). Style should be formal.
- IELTS General Training Writing:
- Task 1: Write a letter requesting information or explaining a situation (e.g., personal, semi-formal, or formal style) (min. 150 words).
- Task 2: Write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem (min. 250 words). Style can be more personal than Academic Task 2.
- Assessment: Based on Task Achievement/Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource (vocabulary), and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
- Format: Face-to-face interview with a certified examiner (same for Academic and General Training). It is recorded.
- Part 1: Introduction and Interview (4-5 mins): Examiner asks general questions about yourself, home, family, work, studies, interests.
- Part 2: Long Turn (3-4 mins): Examiner gives you a task card asking you to talk about a particular topic. You have 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 1-2 minutes. Examiner asks one or two follow-up questions.
- Part 3: Discussion (4-5 mins): Examiner asks further questions related to the topic in Part 2, allowing for more abstract discussion.
- Assessment: Based on Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource (vocabulary), Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.
General Test Day Rules & Tips
- Arrive at the test centre early. Latecomers may not be admitted.
- Bring the **exact same valid ID** (passport or national ID card) that you used for registration. No ID, no test!
- You can only bring pencils, pens, erasers, and your ID into the test room. Leave bags, phones, watches, and other personal items in the designated secure area. Water is usually allowed in a transparent bottle.
- Listen carefully to instructions from the invigilators.
- Do not talk to or copy from other test takers. Cheating will result in disqualification.
- If you need assistance (e.g., need to use the restroom, pencil breaks), raise your hand to alert an invigilator.
- Manage your time carefully, especially in the Reading and Writing sections. There are usually clocks in the test room.