The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is an English language test for foreign speakers who want to study, work, or live permanently in English-speaking countries.
Universities and companies require specific IELTS scores. Countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK also look at the IELTS scores of work, study, and immigrant visa applicants.
We’ve shared some quick and easy IELTS preparation tips. Now, let’s take a closer look at what’s inside the IELTS exam.
Two types of IELTS
There are two types of the IELTS test: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. IELTS Academic is for people who want to study at a university or join a professional organization. IELTS General Training is for people who want to study high school, work or undergo training, or live in an English-speaking country.
The listening and speaking sections are the same for both tests. The reading and writing sections have different subject matters.
IELTS test format
The IELTS exam has four parts: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. You need to take the first three parts on the same day, but you can schedule the speaking part on another day. You have 2 hours and 45 minutes to finish the test.
| Section | Time Limit | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 30 minutes | Listen to 4 recordings of native English speakers, then write your answers to a series of questions. |
| Reading | 60 minutes |
Answer 40 questions on several shorts passages. Different question types are used, such as multiple choice, identifying information, matching heads, and short-answer questions. |
| Writing | 60 minutes | Write short texts on specific topics (IELTS Academic) or a letter and a personal essay in response to a given situation (IELTS General Training). |
| Speaking | 11 to 14 minutes | Answer general questions and discuss a specific topic in a conversation with the examiner. |
Source: IELTS
You can find more details on the IELTS website. Remember, to get a good score on the IELTS, preparation and practice are key.
We can help you prepare for the IELTS fast. You can have English conversation lessons online with our native English teachers. Check out Learntalk's hassle-free learning plans!
Now
