IELTS Listening Tips and Strategies

Improve your IELTS Listening score by applying these proven tips and techniques before and during the test.

Success in the Listening module depends on concentration, understanding different accents, effective note-taking, and knowing how to approach various question types. Let's break down some key strategies.

Before You Listen

  • Read the Questions First: Use the time given before each section starts to quickly read the questions for that section. This helps you understand what information you need to listen for (e.g., names, numbers, places, reasons).
  • Predict Answers: Based on the question, try to predict the *type* of answer required (e.g., a date, a noun, a verb) and sometimes even possible answers.
  • Underline Keywords: Identify and underline the key words in the questions. These words will help you locate the relevant part of the audio recording. Be aware of synonyms and paraphrasing – the exact keywords might not be used in the audio.
  • Understand Instructions: Pay close attention to instructions, especially word limits (e.g., "NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER"). Writing more than the limit will result in an incorrect answer, even if the information is right.

While You Are Listening

  • Concentrate Fully: The audio is played only once. Avoid distractions and focus completely from beginning to end. If you miss an answer, don't panic – leave it and focus on the next question to avoid missing more. You can guess the missed answer later.
  • Listen for Signposts: Pay attention to words that signal the structure of the talk or conversation (e.g., "Firstly," "Secondly," "However," "In contrast," "To sum up"). These help you follow the speaker's points.
  • Note-Taking (): For relevant sections (like lectures), jot down key ideas, names, dates, or figures. Use abbreviations and symbols to save time, but make sure you can understand your notes later. Don't try to write everything down.
  • Be Aware of Paraphrasing: The information in the audio will often be expressed differently from the words in the question. Listen for meaning, not just exact words.
  • Watch Out for Distractors: Sometimes speakers correct themselves or change their minds. Make sure you write down the final, correct piece of information.
  • Check Spelling and Plurals: Especially in completion tasks, incorrect spelling or missing 's' for plurals will mark the answer wrong. Be careful when transferring answers.

Dealing with Question Types

  • Multiple Choice: Read the question and options beforehand. Listen for the specific information related to the question stem and be wary of options that sound similar but aren't correct.
  • Matching: Read both lists carefully. Listen for keywords and synonyms connecting items from one list to the other. Answer as you listen, as information might not come in list order.
  • Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling (): Orient yourself using labels already given. Follow the directions carefully (e.g., "turn left," "opposite the," "next to"). Visualise the location as you listen.
  • Completion (Form/Note/Table/Sentence/Summary): Read the surrounding words to predict the type of word needed (noun, verb, number). Pay attention to word limits. Ensure your answer fits grammatically.

After Listening (Transfer Time - Paper-Based)

  • Transfer Carefully: Use the 10 minutes wisely. Write clearly and check for spelling and grammar mistakes (especially plurals).
  • Don't Leave Blanks: If you missed an answer or are unsure, make an educated guess. There is no penalty for wrong answers.
  • Check Word Limits: Ensure all your answers adhere to the specified word limits for each question.
Related Resources
Practice Tests Common Mistakes Band 7+ Strategy Back to Listening Overview