The IELTS test format has four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Listening, Reading and Writing are taken back to back and together take about 2 hours 45 minutes, and the Speaking test is a short face-to-face interview of 11 to 14 minutes that may fall on the same day or within seven days. Each skill gets a band from 0 to 9, and your overall band is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest half band. There is no pass or fail; universities and visa offices set their own minimum.
Key takeaways
- The IELTS test format has four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
- Listening, Reading and Writing take about 2 hours 45 minutes together.
- Speaking is a face-to-face interview of 11 to 14 minutes, on the same day or within seven days.
- Each skill is scored from 0 to 9, and the overall band is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest half band.
IELTS Test Format: the four sections side by side
| Section | Questions or tasks | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 40 questions across four recordings | About 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes to transfer answers on the paper test) |
| Reading | 40 questions across three passages | 60 minutes |
| Writing | Two tasks | 60 minutes |
| Speaking | Three parts, one to one with an examiner | 11 to 14 minutes |
Academic or General Training
Listening and Speaking are identical in both versions. Reading and Writing differ. The Academic test is the one most universities ask for, with longer passages on academic topics and a Writing Task 1 where you describe a chart, graph or diagram, followed by an essay in Task 2. General Training uses everyday and workplace texts and is usually taken for work or migration purposes. Always check which version your university or immigration body accepts before you book.
How the band score works
You get a band for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, in whole or half bands. The overall band is the mean of the four, rounded to the nearest half band. For example, 6.5 in Listening, 5 in Writing, 7 in Speaking and 6.5 in Reading add up to 25 and average 6.25, which rounds up to an overall 6.5. Listening and Reading are scored from the number of correct answers out of 40; a raw score of around 23, 30 and 35 corresponds roughly to bands 6, 7 and 8. Writing and Speaking are marked by trained examiners against published criteria. Try your own numbers in our IELTS band score calculator.
What the Speaking test looks like
It is a recorded conversation in three parts. First the examiner asks about familiar topics such as home, study and work. Next you get a task card, prepare briefly and speak on the topic. Finally you discuss more abstract ideas linked to that topic. Fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation are the four things examiners assess.
Practical tips from the format itself
- Listening plays once. Read the questions during the pauses so you know what to listen for.
- Reading has no extra time to copy answers on the computer test, so manage the 60 minutes by section, not by question.
- Writing Task 2 carries more weight than Task 1, so do not spend half the hour on the chart.
- There is no penalty for a wrong answer in Listening and Reading, so never leave a blank.
- Scores are valid for two years, so time the test close to your application.
IELTS Test Format: using IELTS for study abroad
Many scholarships and universities set a minimum overall band and sometimes a minimum in each skill. Read about funding routes in our guide to scholarships to study abroad for Indian students and, if Germany is on your list, the page on studying in Germany from India.
Rules, dates and amounts for IELTS Test Format can change, so confirm the latest official notice before you act.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the IELTS test?
About 2 hours 45 minutes for Listening, Reading and Writing, plus an 11 to 14 minute Speaking test that can be on the same day or within seven days.
What is a good IELTS band score?
It depends on your target. Many universities ask for around 6.0 to 7.0 overall, but requirements vary by course, so check each one.
Is there a pass or fail in IELTS?
No. You receive band scores from 0 to 9 and each institution decides what it accepts.
How long is an IELTS score valid?
Two years from the test date.
What is the difference between Academic and General Training?
Reading and Writing differ. Academic is for university admission; General Training is generally for work or migration.