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IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Academic and professional

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s proven English test. Over 1.4 million candidates take the test each year to start their journeys into international education and employment.

Exam overview

In IELTS, there are four papers: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. There are two different IELTS modules: Academic and General Training. The Speaking and Listening tests are the same in both modules, but the Reading and Writing tests are different.

Academic module – choose this if you wish to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, or if you are seeking professional registration, e.g. doctors and nurses.

General Training module – choose this if you wish to migrate to an English-speaking country, (e.g. Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK) or if you wish to train or study at below degree level.

What's in the exam?

Paper Content Time
Listening 40 questions Approximately 30 minutes
(plus 10 minutes’ transfer time)
Reading 40 questions 60 minutes
Writing 2 tasks 60 minutes
Speaking 3 parts 11–14 minutes

To book an exam

  • 1. Choose exam
  • 2. Choose exam centre
  • 3. Contact exam centre

You do not pass or fail IELTS – you are given a band score for each paper and an overall band score from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest).

Click here to see how IELTS fits onto the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Visit the IELTS website

You can find out more about IELTS and how to take the test at www.ielts.org

Accepted worldwide

IELTS is accepted by:

Philips
Harvard Business School
University of Cambridge
International Monetary Fund
University of Western Australia
Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools

and many more …

More institutions

The world speaks IELTS

Educational institutions, along with employers and government immigration agencies, require proof of English language skills as part of their recruitment or admittance procedures. Increasingly, these organisations are choosing IELTS.

Worldwide recognition for study, work and immigration

IELTS is owned by Cambridge ESOL, the British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia. Over 1.4 million people a year use IELTS to open doors throughout the English-speaking world and beyond. IELTS is recognised by more than 6,000 organisations worldwide.

Widely available

The tests are available in more than 130 countries in over 800 locations, with test dates available up to four times a month.

Fit for purpose

The IELTS test comes in two modules:

  • Academic – this module is for people wishing to study in English at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and for those seeking professional registration
  • General Training – this module is for people wishing to migrate to an English-speaking country (e.g. Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK), and for those wishing to train or study in English at below degree level.

Candidates are tested in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking tests. There is a choice between Academic and General Training in the Reading and Writing tests.

Meaningful result

The IELTS scoring system is recognised globally, giving you a truly international result. Test takers receive a score of 0–9, with 0 being for those who did not attempt the test, and 9 being for the most proficient users. Most universities accept scores between 6–7 as being suitable for undergraduate study in English.

Reliable, secure test

The IELTS 9-band score system grades scores consistently. It is secure, benchmarked and understood worldwide. Test materials are designed carefully so that every version of the test is of a comparable level of difficulty.

Exam format

  • Listening

    Available as a paper-based test

    Download a free pack of sample questions (zip file)

    What’s in the IELTS Listening paper?

    The paper has four sections, with ten questions in each section. The questions are in the same order as the information in the recording: that is, the answer to the first question will be before the answer to the second question, and so on. 

    Summary

    Sections 1 and 2 deal with everyday, social situations. There is a conversation between two speakers in Section 1 (for example, a conversation about travel arrangements). Only one person speaks in Section 2 (for example, a speech about local facilities).

    Sections 3 and 4 deal with educational and training situations. In Section 3 there is a conversation between two main speakers (for example, two university students in discussion, perhaps guided by a tutor). In Section 4 only one person speaks on an academic subject.

    You will hear the recordings once only. Different accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand and North American, are used.

    You will need to transfer your answers to an answer sheet. You will have 10 minutes at the end of the test to do this. You should be careful when writing your answers on the answer sheet because you will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar.

    Summary

    Time allowed:

    approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes to transfer your answers to an answer sheet)

    Number of sections:

    4

    Number of questions:

    40

    Marking:

    Each correct answer receives 1 mark.
    Your final score is given as a band score in whole or
    half-bands, e.g. 5.5 or 7.0.

    Types of question

    Question Type 1 – Multiple choice


    What’s involved?

    This type of question may be a question with three possible answers or the first half of a sentence with three possible sentence endings. You have to choose one correct answer, A, B or C, then write the correct letter on the answer sheet.

    Sometimes you are given a longer list of possible answers and you have to choose more than one answer. You should read the question carefully to check how many answers you need to choose.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests many listening skills, e.g. a detailed understanding of specific points, or general understanding of the main points of the recording.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 2 – Matching


    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you have to match a list of items from the recording to a list of options on the question paper, then write the correct letter on the answer sheet.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to:

    1. listen for detailed information. For example, whether you can understand information about the type of hotel or guest house accommodation in an everyday conversation.
    2. follow a conversation between two people.
    3. recognise how facts in the recording are connected to each other.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 3 – Plan, map, diagram labelling

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you have to complete labels on a visual which may be:

    1. a diagram (e.g. a piece of equipment)
    2. a set of pictures
    3. a plan (e.g. of a building)
    4. a map (e.g. of part of a town).

    You may have to:

    1. select your answers from a list on the question paper, then write the correct letter on the answer sheet
    1. select words from the recording which fit into gaps on the question paper. In this case, you will need to keep to the word limit given in the instructions. You do not have to change the words in the recording in any way. You should read the instructions very carefully as the number of words or numbers you may use to fill the gaps can change. A word limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER’. You will lose the mark for writing more than the word limit. Contracted words such as ‘they’re’ will not be tested. Hyphenated words such as ‘check-in’ count as single words. Write the words that fit into the gap on the answer sheet.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to understand, for example, a description of a place, and how this description relates to the visual. It may also test your ability to understand explanations of where things are and follow directions (e.g. straight on/through the far door).

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 4 – Form, note, table, flowchart, summary completion

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you have to fill in gaps in an outline of part or all of the recording. The outline will focus on the main ideas/facts in the recording and may be:

    1. a form: often used for facts, such as names
    2. a set of notes: used to summarise information and show how different points relate to one another
    3. a table: used to summarise information that can be divided into clear categories, e.g. place/time/price
    4. a flowchart: used to summarise the stages in a process, with the direction of the process shown by arrows.

    You may have to:

    1. select your answers from a list on the question paper, then write the correct letter on the answer sheet
    2. select words from the recording which fit into gaps on the question paper. In this case, you will need to keep to the word limit given in the instructions. You do not have to change the words in the recording in any way. You should read the instructions very carefully as the number of words or numbers you may use to fill the gaps can change. A word limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER’. You will lose the mark for writing more than the word limit. Contracted words such as ‘they’re’ will not be tested. Hyphenated words such as ‘check-in’ count as single words. Write the words that fit into the gap on the answer sheet.

    The questions are in the same order as the information in the recording: that is, the answer to the first question will be before the answer to the second question, and so on.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question focuses on the main points the person listening would naturally write down.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 5 – Sentence completion

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you have to read sentences that summarise important information from either all of the listening text or from one part of it. You have to fill in a gap in each sentence using information from the recording. A word limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER’. You will lose the mark for writing more than the word limit. Contracted words such as ‘they’re’ will not be tested. Hyphenated words such as ‘check-in’ count as single words. Write the words that fit into the gap on the answer sheet.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question focuses on your ability to identify the important information in a recording. You may also need to understand relationships between ideas/facts/events, such as cause and effect.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 6 – Short-answer questions

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you have to read a question and write a short answer using information from the recording. A word limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER’. You will lose the mark for writing more than the word limit. Contracted words such as ‘they’re’ will not be tested. Hyphenated words such as ‘check-in’ count as single words. Write your answer on the answer sheet.

    Sometimes you are given a question which asks you to write two or three different points.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question focuses on your ability to listen for facts, such as places, prices or times, heard in the recording.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    DOs and DON’Ts

    DOs

    1. Listen carefully to the introduction to each section. This will give you useful information about the situation and the speakers.
    2. Use the time at the beginning of each section (and in the middle of Sections 1–3) to look through the questions and think about the topic.
    3. Read the instructions for each task carefully. Remember to check the maximum number of words allowed.
    4. Write all your answers as you listen – remember, you won’t hear the recording a second time.
    5. Check that what you write makes sense in the context.
    6. Answer all the questions even if you don’t feel sure about an answer – you may have understood more than you think.
    7. Wait until the end of the test to transfer your answers. You have ten minutes for this, which is plenty of time.
    8. Write clearly when you transfer your answers. If an answer isn’t clear on your answer sheet, you will lose the mark.
    9. Check your spelling (and grammar, where necessary).

    DON'Ts

    1. Don't worry if you have to cross out or change an answer.
    2. Don't panic if you miss one question. Look ahead and concentrate on the next one.
    3. Don't try to rephrase what you hear. Write down the words you hear which fit the question.
    4. Don’t write more than the maximum number of words or letters allowed for each answer.
    5. Don’t copy any words that were printed before or after the gaps on the question paper when you transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

    FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

    Is the Listening paper different for Academic and General Training?

    No. All candidates take the same paper.

    What information will I get before each section?

    At the beginning of each section you will hear a short description of the situation you are about to listen to. This may give information about who the speakers are, where they are and what the general topic is. This description is not written on the question paper, so it is important to listen carefully.

    Are all the sections equally difficult?

    No. IELTS Listening tests a wide range of abilities, so the sections generally get more difficult from Section 1 to Section 4.

    Will I have time to look at the questions before I listen?

    Yes, there is time to look at the questions before each section. The voice on the recording will tell you which questions to look at.

    Will there be an example at the beginning?

    Yes, there is an example at the beginning of Section 1. The recording relating to the example is played twice.

    How many times do I hear the recording?

    You will hear each recording ONCE only.

    Are the questions in the same order as the information in the recording?

    Yes. This is true for all task types in IELTS Listening.

    Will there be a pause during the recording?

    There is a pause between each of the sections. Also, there is one break during each of Sections 1, 2 and 3 to allow you time to look at the following questions. However, there is NOT a break in Section 4.

    Will I have time to check my answers at the end of each section?

    Yes.

    What accents do the speakers have on the recordings?

    You will hear a range of English native speaker accents on the recordings, e.g. Australian, British and North American speakers.

    When the instructions say that I should answer in, for example, NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS, will I lose marks if I write an answer with more than three words?

    Yes. Answers which are longer than the word limit will be marked as incorrect.

    Do answers in IELTS Listening have to be correctly spelled?

    Yes. You will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar. However, words which you have to write will usually be common words. Both UK and US spellings are accepted. When you hear the name of a person, place, company, etc., in the recording, this may be spelled out.

  • Academic Reading

    Available as a paper-based test

    Download a free pack of sample questions (zip file)

    What’s in the IELTS Academic Reading paper?

    There are three reading texts with a variety of question types.

    Texts come from books, journals, magazines and newspapers and have been written for a non-specialist audience. All the topics are of general interest to students at undergraduate or postgraduate level. The texts may be written in different styles, for example, narrative, descriptive or discursive/argumentative. At least one text contains detailed logical argument. Texts may also contain diagrams, graphs or illustrations. If texts use technical vocabulary, then a simple dictionary definition is provided.

    You will need to transfer your answers to an answer sheet. You must transfer your answers during the hour you are given for the Reading test. Unlike the Listening test, no extra transfer time is given. You should be careful when writing your answers on the answer sheet because you will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar.

    Summary

    Time allowed:

    60 minutes (including transfer time)

    Number of sections:

    3; the total text length is 2,150–2,750 words

    Number of questions:

    40

    Marking:

    Each correct answer receives 1 mark.
    Your final score is given as a band score from 1–9 in or
    whole or half-bands, e.g. 4, 6.5.

    Types of question

    Question Type 1 – Multiple choice

    What’s involved?

    This type of question may be a question with three possible answers or the first half of a sentence with three possible sentence endings. In this task type, you have to choose:

    1. one answer from four possible answers: A, B, C or D
    2. or two answers from five possible answers: A, B, C, D or E
    3. or three answers from seven possible answers: A, B, C, D, E, F or G.

    Write the letter(s) of the answer you choose on the answer sheet.

    The questions are in the same order as the information in the text: that is, the answer to the first question will be before the answer to the second question, and so on.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests many different reading skills including: detailed understanding of specific points or general understanding of the main points of the text.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 2 – Identifying information (True/False/Not given)

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you are given a number of statements and are asked: ‘Do the following statements agree with the information in the text?’ You have to write ‘True’, ‘False’ or ‘Not given’ in the boxes on your answer sheet. It is important to understand the difference between 'false' and 'not given'. 'False' means that the statement contradicts the information in the text. ‘Not given’ means that the statement neither agrees with nor contradicts the information in the text. You must be careful not to use any information you already know about the topic of the text when choosing your answer.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to recognise specific information given in the text.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 3 – Identifying writer’s views/claims (Yes/No/Not given)

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question you are given a number of statements and asked: ‘Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer?’ or ‘Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer?’ You have to write ‘Yes’, Nno’ or ‘Not given’ in the boxes on your answer sheet. It is important to understand the difference between 'no' and 'not given'. 'No' means that the statement contradicts the writer’s view or claim. ‘Not given’ means that the statement neither agrees with nor contradicts the writer’s view or claim. You must be careful not to use any information you already know about the topic of the text when choosing your answer.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to recognise opinions or ideas.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 4 – Matching information

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you have to find specific information in the paragraphs (or sections) of a text. The paragraphs (or sections) are identified by letters A, B, C, etc. You will need to write the letters of the correct paragraphs (or sections) in the boxes on your answer sheet. Not every paragraph (or section) may be used and some paragraphs (or sections) may be used more than once. When the paragraphs (or sections) may be used more than once, the instructions will say: ‘you may use any letter more than once’.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question assesses your ability to scan a text in order to find specific information. Unlike Task Type 5 (Matching headings), it focuses on specific information rather than the main idea. You may have to find: specific details, an example, reason, description, comparison, summary or explanation.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 5 – Matching headings

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, there is a list of headings which are identified by Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc.). A heading summarises the main idea of a paragraph or section of the text. You must match the heading to the correct paragraph or section. The paragraphs (or sections) are identified by letters A, B, C, etc. You will need to write the correct Roman numerals in the boxes on your answer sheet. There will always be more headings than paragraphs or sections, so some headings will not be used. It is also possible that some paragraphs or sections may not be included in the task. One or more paragraphs or sections may already be matched with a heading as an example on the question paper. No heading may be used more than once.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to identify the general topic of a paragraph (or section) and to recognise the difference between the main idea and a supporting idea.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 6 – Matching features

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you have to match a set of statements or pieces of information to a list of options. The options are a group of features from the text, and letters (A, B, C, etc.) are used to identify them. Write the correct letter on the answer sheet. You may, for example, have to match descriptions of inventions to the people who invented them. It is possible that some options will not be used, and that others may be used more than once. When it is possible to use any option more than once, the instructions will say: ‘You may use any option more than once’.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to recognise relationships and connections between facts in the text and your ability to recognise opinions and theories. You need to be able to skim and scan the text to find the information quickly so that you can then read that part more carefully for detail.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 7 – Matching sentence endings

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you are given the first half of a sentence based on information in the text and you have to choose the best way to complete the sentence by choosing from a list of possible endings. The endings are identified by letters A, B, C, etc. There will be more sentence endings than beginnings so you will not use all of them. You must write the letter you choose on the answer sheet. The sentence beginnings are in the same order as the information in the text.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to understand the main ideas in the text.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 8 – Sentence completion

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you have to fill in a gap in each sentence by choosing words from the text. You must write the words you choose on the answer sheet. A word limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER’. You will lose the mark for writing more than the word limit. Contracted words such as ‘they’re’ will not be tested. Hyphenated words such as ‘check-in’ count as single words. The questions are in the same order as the information in the text.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to find detail/specific information in a text.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 9 – Summary, note, table, flowchart completion

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you are given a summary of a part of the text, and have to complete it using words taken from the text. Note that the summary is not normally of the whole text. The summary may be in the form of:

    1. a continuous text (called ‘a summary’ in the instructions)
    2. several notes (called ‘notes’ in the instructions)
    3. a table with some parts of it left empty or partially empty (called ‘a table’ in the instructions)
    4. a series of boxes or steps linked by arrows to show the order of events, with some of the boxes or steps empty or partially empty (called ‘a flowchart’ in the instructions).

    The answers may not come in the same order as in the text. However, they will usually come from one part of the text rather than the whole text.

    There are two variations of this task type. In the first variation, you need to select words from the text which fit into gaps on the question paper. You must write the words you choose on the answer sheet. A word limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER’. You will lose the mark for writing more than the word limit. Contracted words such as ‘they’re’ will not be tested. Hyphenated words such as ‘check-in’ count as single words. In the second variation, you have to choose from a list of words to fill the gaps. The words are identified by letters A, B, C, etc. Write the correct letter on the answer sheet.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to understand details and/or the main ideas of a part of the text. When completing this type of question, you will need to think about the type of word(s) that will fit into a gap (for example, whether a noun is needed, or a verb, etc.).

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 10 – Diagram label completion

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you have to complete the labels on a diagram. The diagram is based on a description given in the text. Write the words that fit into the gap on the answer sheet. A word limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER’. You will lose the mark for writing more than the word limit. Contracted words such as ‘they’re’ will not be tested. Hyphenated words such as ‘check-in’ count as single words. The answers may not come in the same order as in the text. However, they will usually come from one part of the text rather than the whole text. The diagram may be a type of machine, part of a building or other information in the text that can be shown through pictures.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to understand a detailed description in the text, and then relate that description to information given in a diagram.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 11 – Short-answer questions

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you have to answer questions about factual details from the text. You must write your answers in words or numbers on the answer sheet.

    Answers must be taken from words in the text. A word limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER’. You will lose the mark for writing more than the word limit. Numbers can be written using figures (1, 2, etc.) or words (one, two, etc.). Contracted words such as ‘they’re’ will not be tested. Hyphenated words such as ‘check-in’ count as single words. The answers come in the same order as the information in the text.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to find and understand specific information in the text.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    DOs and DON’Ts

    DOs

    1. Keep an eye on the time: it will probably seem to pass very quickly, so take care not to spend too much time on any one text or question. Remember that you only have 60 minutes to answer the questions and to transfer your answers on to your answer sheet.
    2. Start at the beginning of the test and work through it. If you cannot do a particular question, leave it and go on to the next. You can then return to that question later, if you have time. Put a mark next to this question on the question paper so that you can find it again quickly.
    3. Answer as many questions as you can.
    4. Look carefully at the title of the text and any subtitles and illustrations it may have. You can get a quick idea of what the text is about from these.
    5. Read the instructions for each set of questions very carefully: it is important to do exactly what you are asked to do.
    6. Where appropriate, remember to skim the questions before reading the text so that you have a purpose for reading.
    7. Make sure you give the text a quick read through so that you are familiar with the topic and how it is developed in the text. An understanding of the text structure can be very helpful when answering the questions.
    8. Use the glossary, if there is one provided, to help you understand unfamiliar words.
    9. Pay attention to any examples that are provided.
    10. Make sure that your answers keep to the word limit asked for: if you are asked for ‘NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS’, for example, then do not write more.
    11. Make sure that you copy words accurately from the text: spelling mistakes will mean that you will lose the mark for that question.
    12. Make sure that where you have to write an answer yourself, your answer is grammatically correct, e.g. Short-answer questions, Sentence completion, Summary completion.

    DON'Ts

    1. Don't waste time reading the whole text each time for each set of questions. Remember that many task types ask you to locate or check details in the text. In cases like this you need to skim quickly through the text rather than read it all carefully.
    2. Don't go back to the beginning of the text for each question when you know from the task type that the answers will come in the order of the information in the text.
    3. Don’t forget that questions can come before the reading text as well as after.
    4. Don't become anxious if there are questions you cannot answer. Leave them and move onto the next questions. You can always come back to the ones you couldn’t answer at the end of the test, if you have time.
    5. Don’t worry if you don’t understand every word. It may not be necessary to understand all the words in order to answer the questions correctly.
    6. Don’t forget that you must write your answers on your answer sheet. You will not be given extra time to do this at the end of the test.
    7. Don’t write more than one answer when only one is required. Even if one of your answers is correct, you will not receive a mark.

    FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

    How do I record my answers?

    You must put all of your answers on an answer sheet during the 60 minutes allowed. You may write your answers on the question paper first if you like, but the examiner will not read these. No extra time is allowed to copy answers to the answer sheet.

    When the instructions say that I should answer in, for example, NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS, will I lose marks if I write an answer with more than three words?

    Yes. Answers which are longer than the word limit will be marked as incorrect.

    Will I lose marks for spelling and grammar mistakes in my answers?

    All the words you will need in order to answer the questions will be given in the text. Remember to transfer your answers to the answer sheet with care. You will lose marks for poor spelling and grammar.

    How long should I spend on each text?

    You have 60 minutes to read three texts and answer 40 questions. You should spend about 20 minutes on each text. Make sure that you do not waste time worrying about questions you can’t answer – use your time sensibly to read what you can and answer as many questions as possible.

  • General Training Reading

    Available as a paper-based test

    Download a free pack of sample questions (zip file)

    What’s in the IELTS Reading paper?

    There are three sections of increasing difficulty. Section 1 may contain two or three short texts or several shorter texts. Section 2 contains two texts. In Section 3 there is one long text.

    The texts in Section 1 deal with everyday topics, and they are the sort of texts that a person would need to be able to understand when living in an English-speaking country. You will need to pick out important information, e.g. from notices, advertisements and timetables. The texts in Section 2 focus on work topics, for example job descriptions, contracts and staff development and training materials. The text in Section 3 deals with a more general topic. The style of writing in Section 3 is generally descriptive (containing detailed information) and instructive (telling you how to do something). This Section 3 text is longer and more complex than the texts in Sections 1 and 2. Section 3 texts are taken from newspapers, magazines, and fictional and non-fictional book extracts.

    You will need to transfer your answers to an answer sheet. You must transfer your answers during the hour you are given for the Reading test. Unlike the Listening test, no extra transfer time is given. You should be careful when writing your answers on the answer sheet because you will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar.

    Summary

    Time allowed:

    60 minutes (including transfer time)

    Number of sections:

    3; the total text length is 2,150–2,750 words

    Number of questions:

    40

    Marking:

    Each correct answer receives 1 mark.
    Your final score is given as a band score from 1–9 in
    whole or half-bands, e.g. e.g. 3.5, 8.

    Question Type 1 – Multiple choice

    What’s involved?

    This type of question may be a question with three possible answers or the first half of a sentence with three possible sentence endings. In this task type, you have to choose:

    1. one answer from four possible answers: A, B, C or D
    2. or two answers from five possible answers: A, B, C, D or E
    3. or three answers from seven possible answers: A, B, C, D, E, F or G.

    Write the letter(s) of the answer(s) you choose on the answer sheet.

    The questions are in the same order as the information in the text: that is, the answer to the first question in this group will be before the answer to the second question, and so on. This task type may be used with any type of text.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests many different reading skills including, detailed understanding of specific points or general understanding of the main points of the text.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 2 – Identifying information (True/False/Not given)

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you are given a number of statements and are asked: ‘Do the following statements agree with the information in the text?’ You have to write ‘True’, ‘False’ or ‘Not given’ in the boxes on your answer sheet. It is important to understand the difference between 'False' and 'Not given'. 'False' means that the statement contradicts the information in the text. ‘Not given’ means that the statement neither agrees with nor contradicts the information in the text. You must be careful not to use any information you already know about the topic of the text when choosing your answer.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to recognise specific information given in the text.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 3 – Identifying writer’s views/claims (Yes/No/Not given)

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question you are given a number of statements and asked: ‘Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer?’ or ‘Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer?’ You have to write ‘Yes’, ‘No’ or ‘Not given’ in the boxes on your answer sheet. It is important to understand the difference between 'No' and 'Not given'. 'No' means that the statement contradicts the writer’s view or claim. ‘Not given’ means that the statement neither agrees with nor contradicts the writer’s view or claim. You must be careful not to use any information you already know about the topic of the text when choosing your answer.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to recognise opinions or ideas.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 4 – Matching information

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you have to find specific information in the paragraphs (or sections) of a text. The paragraphs (or sections) are identified by letters A, B, C, etc. You will need to write the letters of the correct paragraphs (or sections) in the boxes on your answer sheet. Not every paragraph (or section) may be used and some paragraphs (or sections) may be used more than once. When the paragraphs (or sections) may be used more than once, the instructions will say: ‘You may use any letter more than once’.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question assesses your ability to scan a text in order to find specific information. Unlike Task Type 5, (Matching headings), it focuses on specific information rather than the main idea. You may have to find: specific details, an example, reason, description, comparison, summary or explanation.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 5 – Matching headings

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, there is a list of headings which are identified by Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc.). A heading summarises the main idea of a paragraph or section of the text. You must match the heading to the correct paragraph or section. The paragraphs (or sections) are identified by letters A, B, C, etc. You will need to write the correct Roman numerals in the boxes on your answer sheet. There will always be more headings than paragraphs or sections, so some headings will not be used. It is also possible that some paragraphs or sections may not be included in the task. One or more paragraphs or sections may already be matched with a heading as an example on the question paper. No heading may be used more than once.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to identify the general topic of a paragraph (or section) and to recognise the difference between the main idea and a supporting idea.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 6 – Matching features

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you have to match a set of statements or pieces of information to a list of options. The options are a group of features from the text, and letters are used to identify them. You may, for example, have to match descriptions of inventions to the people who invented them. It is possible that some options will not be used, and that others may be used more than once. When it is possible to use any option more than once, the instructions will say: ‘You may use any option more than once’.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to recognise relationships and connections between facts in the text and your ability to recognise opinions and theories. You need to be able to skim and scan the text to find the information quickly so that you can then read that part more carefully for detail.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 7 – Matching sentence endings

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you are given the first half of a sentence based on information in the text and you have to choose the best way to complete the sentence by choosing from a list of possible endings. The endings are identified by letters A, B, C, etc. There will be more sentence endings than beginnings so you will not use all of them. You must write the letter you choose on the answer sheet. The sentence beginnings are in the same order as the information in the text.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to understand the main ideas in the text.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 8 – Sentence completion

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you have to fill in a gap in each sentence by choosing words from the text. You must write the words you choose on the answer sheet. A word limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER’. You will lose the mark for writing more than the word limit. Contracted words such as ‘they’re’ will not be tested. Hyphenated words such as ‘check-in’ count as single words. The questions are in the same order as the information in the text.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to find detail/specific information in a text.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 9 – Summary, note, table, flowchart completion

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you are given a summary of a part of the text, and have to complete it using words taken from the text. Note that the summary is not normally of the whole text. The summary may be in the form of:

    1. a continuous text (called ‘a summary’ in the instructions)
    2. several notes (called ‘notes’ in the instructions)
    3. a table with some parts of it left empty or partially empty (called ‘a table’ in the instructions)
    4. a series of boxes or steps linked by arrows to show the order of events, with some of the boxes or steps empty or partially empty (called ‘a flowchart’ in the instructions).

    The answers may not come in the same order as in the text. However, they will usually come from one part of the text rather than the whole text.

    There are two variations of this task type. In the first variation, you need to select words from the text which fit into gaps on the question paper. You must write the words you choose on the answer sheet. A word limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER’. You will lose the mark for writing more than the word limit. Contracted words such as ‘they’re’ will not be tested. Hyphenated words such as ‘check-in’ count as single words. In the second variation, you have to choose from a list of words to fill the gaps. The words are identified by letters A, B, C, etc.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to understand details and/or the main ideas of a part of the text. When completing this type of question, you will need to think about the type of word(s) that will fit into a gap (for example, whether a noun is needed, or a verb, etc.)

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 10 – Diagram label completion

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you have to complete the labels on a diagram. The diagram is based on a description given in the text. A word limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER’. You will lose the mark for writing more than the word limit. Contracted words such as ‘they’re’ will not be tested. Hyphenated words such as ‘check-in’ count as single words. The answers may not come in the same order as in the text. However, they will usually come from one part of the text rather than the whole text. The diagram may be a type of machine, part of a building or other information in the text that can be shown through pictures.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to understand a detailed description in the text, and then relate that description to information given in a diagram.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    Question Type 11 – Short-answer questions

    What’s involved?

    In this type of question, you have to answer questions about factual details from the text. You must write your answers in words or numbers on the answer sheet.

    Answers must be taken from words in the text. A word limit is given, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER’. You will lose the mark for writing more than the word limit. Numbers can be written using figures (1, 2, etc.) or words (one, two, etc.). Contracted words such as ‘they’re’ will not be tested. Hyphenated words such as ‘check-in’ count as single words. The answers come in the same order as the information in the text.

    What skills are tested?

    This type of question tests your ability to find and understand specific information in the text.

    How many questions are there?

    Variable.

     

    DOs and DON’Ts

    DOs

    1. Keep an eye on the time: it will probably seem to pass very quickly, so take care not to spend too much time on any one text or question. Remember that you only have 60 minutes to answer the questions and to transfer your answers on to your answer sheet.
    2. Start at the beginning of the test and work through it. If you cannot do a particular question, leave it and go on to the next. You can then return to that question later, if you have time. Put a mark next to this question on the question paper so that you can find it again quickly.
    3. Answer as many questions as you can.
    4. Look carefully at the title of the text and any subtitles and illustrations it may have. You can get a quick idea of what the text is about from these.
    5. Read the instructions for each set of questions very carefully: it is important to do exactly what you are asked to do.
    6. Where appropriate, remember to skim the questions before reading the text so that you have a purpose for reading.
    7. Make sure you give the text a quick read through so that you are familiar with the topic and how it is developed in the text. An understanding of the text structure can be very helpful when answering the questions.
    8. Use the glossary, if there is one provided, to help you understand unfamiliar words.
    9. Pay attention to any examples that are provided.
    10. Make sure that your answers keep to the word limit asked for: if you are asked for ‘NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS’, for example, then do not write more.
    11. Make sure that you copy words accurately from the text: spelling mistakes will mean that you will lose the mark for that question.
    12. Make sure that where you have to write an answer yourself, your answer is grammatically correct, (e.g. Short-answer questions, Sentence completion, Summary completion).

    DON'Ts

    1. Don't waste time reading the whole text each time for each set of questions. Remember that many task types ask you to locate or check details in the text. In cases like this, you need to skim quickly through the text rather than read it all carefully.
    2. Don't go back to the beginning of the text for each question when you know from the task type that the answers will come in the order of the information in the text.
    3. Don’t forget that questions can come before the reading text as well as after.
    4. Don't become anxious if there are questions you cannot answer. Leave them and move onto the next questions. You can always come back to the ones you couldn’t answer at the end of the test, if you have time.
    5. Don’t worry if you don’t understand every word. It may not be necessary to understand all the words in order to answer the questions correctly.
    6. Don’t forget that you must write your answers on your answer sheet. You will not be given extra time to do this at the end of the test.
    7. Don’t write more than one answer when only one is required. Even if one of your answers is correct, you will not receive a mark.

    FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

    How do I record my answers?

    You must put all of your answers on an answer sheet during the 60 minutes allowed. You may write your answers on the question paper first if you like, but the examiner will not read these. No extra time is allowed to copy answers to the answer sheet.

    When the instructions say that I should answer in, for example, NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS, will I lose marks if I write an answer with more than three words?

    Yes. Answers which are longer than the word limit will be marked as incorrect.

    Will I lose marks for spelling and grammar mistakes in my answers?

    All the words you will need in order to answer the questions will be given in the text. Remember to transfer your answers to the answer sheet with care. You will lose marks for poor spelling and grammar.

    How long should I spend on each section?

    Section 1 contains 14 questions and Sections 2 and 3 have 13 questions each. Each question carries one mark, and you should answer all questions. Remember to leave enough time for Section 3, which is usually more difficult than Sections 1 and 2.

  • Academic Writing

    Available as a paper-based test

    Download a free pack of sample questions (zip file)

    What’s in the IELTS Academic Writing paper?

    There are two Writing tasks and BOTH must be completed. 

    In Task 1 you have to describe some visual information in your own words (a graph, table, chart or diagram). You need to write at least 150 words in about 20 minutes.

    In Task 2 you are given a point of view, argument or problem which you need to discuss. You need to write at least 250 words in about 40 minutes.

    You must write your answer using full sentences. You must not write your answer as notes or bullet points. You must write your answer on the answer sheet. You are allowed to write notes on the question paper, but this will not be seen by the examiner.

    Marking

    Certificated IELTS examiners assess your performance on each Writing task. There are four assessment criteria (things which the examiner thinks about when deciding what score to give you):

    1. Task achievement/response
    2. Coherence and cohesion
    3. Lexical resource
    4. Grammatical range and accuracy.

    Task achievement (in Task 1) and Task response (in Task 2) includes how accurately, appropriately and relevantly your response covers the task requirements, using the minimum of 150 words for Task 1 and 250 words for Task 2.

    In Task 1, all the information you require is given in the diagram.

    In Task 2, Task Response includes how well you develop your argument in response to the task, giving evidence and examples which may be from your own experience.

    Coherence and cohesion includes how clear and fluent your writing is, and how you organise ideas and information. It includes giving your ideas in a logical order, and using a range of cohesive devices (including linking words and phrases such as ‘therefore’, ‘also’, ‘on the other hand’, etc., and pronouns such as ‘that’, ‘these’, ‘they’, etc.) appropriately.

    Lexical resource includes the range of vocabulary you have used, and how accurately and appropriately you use it.

    Grammatical range and accuracy includes the range of grammar you have used and how accurately and appropriately you have used it.

    Summary

    Time allowed:

    60 minutes

    Number of tasks:

    2

    Marking:

    Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.

    Tasks 1 & 2

    Academic Writing – Task 1

    What’s involved?

    In Academic Writing Task 1, you may be asked to describe facts or figures presented in:

    1. one or more graphs, charts or tables. These will be related in topic
    2. a diagram of a machine, device or process and asked to explain how it works. You have to include the most important points in the diagram. Some minor points or details may be left out.

    You should write in an academic or semi-formal/neutral style.

    You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task. You must write at least 150 words and will be penalised if your answer is too short. While you will not be penalised for writing more than 150 words, you should remember that a longer Task 1 answer may mean that you have less time to spend on Task 2, which contributes twice as much to your Writing band score.

    You should remember that you will be penalised if what you write does not relate to the topic. You will also be penalised if your answer is not written as a whole piece of connected text (i.e. you must not use notes or bullet points). You will be severely penalised if your writing is plagiarised (i.e. copied from another source).

    You must write your answer in the answer booklet.

    What skills are tested?

    This task tests your ability to identify the most important and relevant information and trends in a graph, chart, table or diagram, and to give a well-organised overview of it using language that is appropriately academic in its register and style.

    How much do I have to write?

    A minimum of 150 words.

     

    Academic Writing – Task 2

    What’s involved?

    In Academic Writing Task 2, you are given a topic to write about. Your answer should discuss the most relevant issues. You must read the task carefully so that you can write a full answer that is relevant. For example, if the topic is a particular aspect of the wider topic of computers, you should focus on this aspect only in your answer. You should not simply write about computers in general. You should write in an academic or semi-formal/neutral style. You will need to organise your ideas clearly and make sure you use relevant examples (which can be from your own experience, if relevant) or evidence. You should spend no more than 40 minutes on this task. You must write at least 250 words and will be penalised if your answer is too short. While you will not be penalised for writing more than 250 words, if you write a very long answer you may not have time for checking and correcting at the end and some ideas may not be directly relevant to the question. You may also produce handwriting which is unclear. Task 2 contributes twice as much to your final Writing band score as Task 1. Therefore, if you do not answer this task, you will not be able to achieve a high band score. You should remember that you will be penalised if what you write is not related to the topic. You will also be penalised if your answer is not written as a whole piece of connected text (i.e. you must not use notes or bullet points). You will be severely penalised if your writing is plagiarised (i.e. copied from another source). Finally, you should make sure that you do not copy directly from the question paper because this will not be marked. You must write your answers in the answer booklet.

    What skills are tested?

    This task tests if you can write a clear, relevant, well-organised argument, giving evidence or examples to support your ideas, and use language accurately. You will be assessed on your ability to:

    1. present and justify an opinion
    2. compare and contrast evidence, opinions and implications
    3. evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument.

    How much do I have to write?

    You must write a minimum of 250 words.

     

    DOs and DON’Ts

    DOs

    1. Make sure that you read all of the information in the questions very carefully and respond appropriately.
    2. Make sure that you follow all instructions including the number of words that you need to write.
    3. Make sure that you finish Writing Task 1 after about 20 minutes to allow enough time to answer Writing Task 2.
    4. Remember that Writing Task 2 carries more marks, so you need plenty of time to answer it.
    5. Make sure that, for Task 1, you use figures or data from the question paper accurately.
    6. Make sure that you plan your ideas before you begin to write. For Writing Task 1, stop to locate and select the most important pieces of information. For Writing Task 2, take time to organise your ideas and argument.
    7. Be sure to provide supporting evidence for any of your claims or views in Writing Task 2.
    8. Leave time to check your answer for careless mistakes at the end. Try to check for spelling mistakes, verb and subject agreement, singular/plural nouns, tense mistakes and problems of fluency.
    9. Make sure that all of your ideas are relevant to the question.
    10. Try to avoid repeating the same words, phrases and ideas too often. Try to use a range of vocabulary. Try to make sure that you do not repeat the same idea too often – make sure you explore different ideas to provide a well-balanced response.
    11. Make sure you write as clearly as possible.
    12. Make sure that you produce organised and linked paragraphs and that the style of your language is academic.

    DON'Ts

    1. Don't copy from other people’s work.
    2. Don't write less than the required number of words.
    3. Don't repeat task instructions in your writing.
    4. Don’t use note form or bullet points.
    5. Don’t leave out any required information.
    6. Don’t waste your time learning essays by heart to use in the exam. You will be penalised for this and you will waste valuable time that could be spent developing good writing skills.
    7. Don’t simply copy words and phrases from the question paper – try to use your own words at all times by paraphrasing the question.

    FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

    Where do I write my answers?

    Write your answers in the Writing answer booklet. You will not get any paper for making notes, but you may write notes on the question booklet. The examiner will not see this.

    Can I write in pen or pencil?

    You can write in pen or pencil, but you must write clearly. You may erase/cross out and change parts of your writing, but you must make sure that your work is easy to read.

    Should I write my answers in upper case (capitals) or lower case?

    You will not automatically be penalised if all your letters are capitals. However, remember that punctuation is assessed in the Writing test and you may be penalised if it is not clear to the examiner where your sentences begin and end.

    Will I be penalised if I don’t write enough words?

    Yes. You must write at least 150 words for the Task 1 question and 250 words for the Task 2 question. If you don’t write enough words, you will be penalised.

    If I make notes, will the examiner read them?

    No. You will not get any paper for making notes, but you may write notes on the question booklet. The examiner will not see this.

    Are the two tasks both worth the same number of marks?

    No. Task 2 is worth more marks than Task 1. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.

    How long should I spend on each task?

    You have 1 hour to write your answers for the two tasks. It is your choice how you divide this time. However, remember that Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score – you may wish to spend 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2. You should plan your work carefully before writing, and you should allow time to check your writing after completing a task or at the end of the test.

    Do I need to write a separate introduction and conclusion for Academic Writing Task 1?

    In Task 1, you need to describe the visual information and present this information in an organised, coherent way. Therefore, you need to write an introduction, although this can be very short. Also, a short summary of the main trends or features is a good way to finish. Remember that you do not need to guess about the reasons for things in Task 1. (For example, do not write ‘I think this is probably because …’).

    Will I be penalised if I do not write a formal introduction and conclusion for Academic Writing Task 2?

    There is no separate assessment for introductions and conclusions. However, if you do not write an introduction and conclusion you may be penalised under Task achievement/response and Coherence and cohesion.

  • General Training Writing

    Available as a paper-based test

    Download a free pack of sample questions (zip file)

    What’s in the IELTS General Training Writing paper?

    There are two Writing tasks and BOTH must be completed. 

    In Task 1, you have to respond to a situation by writing a letter, for example asking for information or explaining a situation. You need to write at least 150 words in about 20 minutes.

    In Task 2 you are given a point of view, argument or problem which you need to discuss. You need to write at least 250 words in about 40 minutes.

    You must write your answer using full sentences. You must not write your answer as notes or bullet points. You must write your answer on the answer sheet. You are allowed to write notes on the question paper but this will not be seen by the examiner.

    Marking

    Certificated IELTS examiners assess your performance on each Writing task. There are four assessment criteria (things which the examiner thinks about when deciding what score to give you):

    1. Task achievement/response
    2. Coherence and cohesion
    3. Lexical resource
    4. Grammatical range and accuracy.

    Task achievement (in Task 1) and Task response (in Task 2) includes how accurately, appropriately and relevantly your response covers the task requirements, using the minimum of 150 words for Task 1 and 250 words for Task 2.

    In Task 1, Task achievement refers to how well your letter achieves its purpose.

    In Task 2, Task response includes how well you develop your argument in response to the task, giving evidence and examples which may be from your own experience.

    Coherence and cohesion includes how clear and fluent your writing is, and how you organise ideas and information. It includes giving your ideas in a logical order, and using a range of cohesive devices (including linking words and phrases such as ‘therefore’, ‘also’, ‘on the other hand’, etc., and pronouns such as ‘that’, ‘these’, ‘they’, etc.) appropriately.

    Lexical resource includes the range of vocabulary you have used, and how accurately and appropriately you use it.

    Grammatical range and accuracy includes the range of grammar you have used and how accurately and appropriately you have used it.

    Summary

    Time allowed:

    60 minutes

    Number of tasks:

    2

    Marking:

    Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.

    Tasks 1 & 2

    General Training Writing – Task 1

    What’s involved?

    In General Training Writing Task 1, you are given a situation and you need to write a response of at least 150 words in the form of an informal, semi-formal or formal letter. The question paper tells you what information to include in the form of three bullet points.

    You might need to ask for or give information and/or explain a situation. To do this well, you will probably need to do some of the following:

    1. ask for and/or provide general factual information
    2. express needs, wants, likes or dislikes
    3. express opinions or complaints
    4. make requests or make suggestions/recommendations.

    The situations you need to write about are common, everyday situations such as:

    1. writing to a college accommodation officer about problems with your accommodation
    2. writing to a new employer about problems you are having with managing your time
    3. writing to a local newspaper about a plan to develop a local airport
    4. writing to a renting agency to sort out problems with the heating system in your house.

    The style of writing that you use depends on who you are asked to write to and how well you are supposed to know them. You need to choose a style that is appropriate for your audience and will help you achieve your purpose for writing, e.g. writing to a friend (informal) or writing to a manager (semi-formal or formal).

    You should spend no more than 20 minutes on this task. You need to write at least 150 words and will be penalised if your answer is too short. While candidates will not be penalised for writing more than 150 words, you should remember that a longer Task 1 answer may mean that you have less time to spend on Task 2, which contributes twice as much to your Writing band score.

    You should remember that you will be penalised if what you write is not related to the topic. You will also be penalised if your answer is not written as a whole piece of connected text (i.e. you must not use notes or bullet points). You will be severely penalised if your writing is plagiarised (i.e. copied from another source).

    You do not need to write any addresses at the top of your letter.

    You must write your answer in the answer booklet

    What skills are tested?

    This task tests your ability to write a letter in English according to standard letter-writing conventions (i.e. what order to put information in, what style to use, how to start and finish a letter), to use accurate and appropriate language and to organise and link information well.

    How much do I have to write?

    A minimum of 150 words.

     

    General Training Writing – Task 2

    What’s involved?

    In General Training Writing Task 2, you need to write a semi-formal/neutral discursive essay of a minimum of 250 words.

    The instructions of Task 2 give information about an opinion, argument or problem. The instructions then tell you what you should discuss in your essay and may include:

    1. providing general factual information
    2. outlining a problem and presenting a solution
    3. presenting and possibly justifying an opinion
    4. evaluating and challenging ideas, evidence or an argument.

    You will need to write about a topic of general interest, such as:

    1. whether children’s leisure activities should be educational
    2. why families are not as close as they used to be and how they could be brought closer
    3. how environmental problems can be solved
    4. who should pay for the care of old people
    5. whether smoking should be banned in public places.

    You should make sure that you write your answer carefully so that you give a complete response that is also relevant. To do this you will need to organise your ideas clearly and make sure you use relevant examples (which can be from your own experience, if relevant) or evidence. For this task, you need to be able to discuss more abstract and complex ideas and use a variety of vocabulary and grammar. Task 2 contributes twice as much to your final Writing band score as Task 1. Therefore, if you do not answer this task, you will be unlikely to achieve a high band score.

    You must write at least 250 words and will be penalised if your answer is too short. You should spend no more than 40 minutes on this task.

    You should remember that you will be penalised if what you write is not related to the topic. You will also be penalised if your answer is not written as a whole piece of connected text (i.e. you must not use notes or bullet points). You will be severely penalised if your writing is plagiarised (i.e. copied from another source).

    You must write your answers in the answer booklet.

    What skills are tested?

    This task tests your ability to produce an essay according to standard essay-writing conventions (i.e. what order to put information in, what style to use, how to start and finish discursive writing, how to paragraph), to organise and link information in a logical way and to use accurate and appropriate language.

    How much do I have to write?

    A minimum of 250 words.

     

    DOs and DON’Ts

    DOs

    1. Include all the information you are required to.
    2. Write your answer on the answer sheet.
    3. Link your ideas and paragraphs.
    4. Keep to the timing.
    5. Check your writing when you have finished – for style, completeness, linking, logical structure and accuracy of language.
    6. Support arguments in Task 2 with examples and evidence.

    DON'Ts

    1. Don't copy from other people’s work.
    2. Don't write less than the required number of words.
    3. Don't repeat task instructions in your writing.
    4. Don’t write any addresses in the letter in Task 1.
    5. Don’t use note form or bullet points.
    6. Don’t leave out any required information.
    7. Don’t waste your time learning essays by heart to use in the exam. You will be penalised for this and you will waste valuable time that could be spent developing good writing skills.

    FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

    Where do I write my answers?

    Write your answers in the Writing answer booklet. You will not get any paper for making notes, but you may write notes on the question booklet. The examiner will not see this.

    Can I write in pen or pencil?

    You can write in pen or pencil, but you must write clearly. You may erase/cross out and change parts of your writing, but you must make sure that your work is easy to read.

    Should I write my answers in upper case (capitals) or lower case?

    You will not automatically be penalised if all your letters are capitals. However, remember that punctuation is assessed in the Writing test and you may be penalised if it is not clear to the examiner where your sentences begin and end.

    Will I be penalised if I don’t write enough words?

    Yes. You must write at least 150 words for the Task 1 question and 250 words for the Task 2 question. If you don’t write enough words, you will be penalised.

    If I make notes, will the examiner read them?

    No. You will not get any paper for making notes, but you may write notes on the question booklet. The examiner will not see this.

    Are the two tasks both worth the same number of marks?

    No. Task 2 is worth more marks than Task 1. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.

    How long should I spend on each task?

    You have 1 hour to write your answers for the two tasks. It is your choice how you divide this time. However, remember that Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score – you may wish to spend 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2. You should plan your work carefully before writing, and you should allow time to check your writing after completing a task or at the end of the test.

  • Speaking

    Face-to-face Speaking test

    Download a free pack of sample questions (zip file)

    What’s in the IELTS Speaking paper?

    The Speaking test is a face-to-face interview between the candidate and an examiner. The Speaking test is recorded. 

    There are three parts to the test and each part follows a specific pattern of tasks in order to test your speaking ability in different ways.

    Marking

    Certificated IELTS examiners assess your speaking performance throughout the test. There are four assessment criteria (things which the examiner thinks about when deciding what score to give you):

    1. Fluency and coherence
    2. Lexical resource
    3. Grammatical range and accuracy
    4. Pronunciation.

    Fluency and coherence includes how well you can speak at a normal speed without too much hesitation. It also includes putting your sentences and ideas in a logical order and using cohesive devices (including linking words and phrases such as ‘so’, ‘although’, ‘having said that’, etc. and pronouns such as ‘she’, ‘that’, ‘those’, etc.) appropriately so that what you say is not difficult to follow.

    Lexical resource includes the range of vocabulary you use and how accurately and appropriately you use vocabulary to express meaning. It also includes the ability to express yourself using alternative vocabulary when you don’t know a particular word.

    Grammatical range and accuracy includes the range of grammar you use and how accurately and appropriately you use it.

    Pronunciation includes your ability to speak in a way which can be understood without too much effort.

    Summary

    Time allowed:

    11–14 minutes

    Number of parts:

    3

    Parts 1-3

    Part 1 – Introduction and interview

    What’s involved?

    In this part, the examiner introduces him/herself and checks your identity. Then the examiner asks you general questions on some familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies or interests. To make sure that every test is the same, questions are taken from a script.

    Part 1 is 4–5 minutes long.

    What skills are tested?

    This part of the test tests your ability to give opinions and information on everyday topics and ordinary experiences or situations by answering a range of questions.

     

    Part 2 – Long turn

    What’s involved?

    Part 2 is the individual long turn. The examiner gives you a task card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. The card tells you what points you should include in your talk and instructs you to explain one aspect of the topic. You have 1 minute to prepare your talk, and the examiner will give you a pencil and paper to make notes.

    By using the points on the task card and making notes during the preparation time, you should be able to think of appropriate things to say, and have time to structure your talk so that you keep talking for 2 minutes.

    The examiner will ask you to talk for 1–2 minutes and stop you when the time is up. They then ask you one or two questions on the same topic.

    Part 2 lasts 3–4 minutes, including the preparation time.

    What skills are tested?

    This part tests your ability to speak at length on a given topic (without further help from the examiner), using appropriate language and organising your ideas logically. You will need to think about your own experiences to complete the long turn.

     

    Part 3 – Discussion

    What’s involved?

    In Part 3, you and the examiner discuss issues related to the topic in Part 2 in a more general and abstract way and, where appropriate, in greater depth.

    Part 3 lasts 4–5 minutes.

    What skills are tested?

    This part tests your ability to explain your opinions and to analyse, discuss and speculate about issues.

     

    DOs and DON’Ts

    DOs

    1. Talk to the examiner – you will feel more involved in the conversation.
    2. Listen carefully to the questions you are asked so that your answers are relevant.
    3. Answer the questions you are asked with some detail so that your answers are long enough.
    4. Practise speaking for 2 minutes for the long turn in Part 2.
    5. Use the preparation time in Part 2 to think about what is written on the card.
    6. Use the instructions and prompts on the card in Part 2 to help you to organise your long turn.
    7. Practise ways of delaying answers to give yourself time to think in Part 3.
    8. Explain your opinions and give examples to support them.

    DON'Ts

    1. Don't learn answers by heart.
    2. Don't give very short answers, except when the examiner interrupts you at the end of the 2 minutes in Part 2. At this point, the examiner needs to move on to Part 3 of the test and only expects a short answer to their questions.
    3. Don't talk about something different from what is on the card in Part 2.
    4. Don’t worry if the examiner stops you in Part 2. It means you have spoken enough, and they have to keep to the timing of the test.
    5. Don’t write on the task card.
    6. Don’t worry if you realise you have made a mistake. It is OK to correct yourself. If you can't correct yourself, forget it and carry on.
    7. Don’t ask the examiner if what you say is correct.

    FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

    What can I take into the test room?

    You can only take your identity document. The examiner will give you everything you need in the test.

    Why is the IELTS Speaking test recorded?

    The recording is needed in case your performance needs to be re-marked.

    Is it a good idea to learn short speeches about my town or job by heart?

    No, you should listen carefully to the examiner and just respond to the questions. If you say something you have memorised, you probably won’t answer the examiner’s question exactly.

    What if I don’t know anything about the topic in Part 2?

    The topics are carefully chosen to reflect common experiences, so you don’t need special knowledge to talk about them. It is extremely unlikely that you would be unable to talk about the topic given.

    Can I start speaking before the 1-minute preparation time is over in Part 2?

    Yes. If you don’t need the whole minute, you can begin speaking when you are ready. However, it is a good idea to use all of the preparation time.

    Do I have to write notes in Part 2?

    No, making notes is just an option. Some candidates prefer just to think about what to say whereas others find that making notes helps them to organise their ideas and to keep talking.

    How long should I talk for in Part 2?

    You will have the opportunity to talk for 2 minutes. You should try to talk for the full 2 minutes to give the examiner a good sample of your English.

    What should I do if I don’t understand a question or the Part 2 task?

    You should tell the examiner that you don’t understand. In Parts 1 and 3, the examiner will be able to repeat the question. In Part 2 you should look carefully at the task card because you may be able to guess the meaning of a word you have not understood. In Part 3, the examiner will be able to ask the question in a different way, or may be able to help you to understand the question.

    Will the examiner tell me if I have done well or not?

    No, the examiner is not allowed to give feedback, and you should not ask them to do so.

IELTS preparation resources

Cambridge ESOL offers a comprehensive range of printed and online exam preparation and support products and services for teachers and learners for all Cambridge English exams.

For IELTS resources, go to the Cambridge ESOL IELTS preparation website

IELTS Academic

Top Tips for IELTS Academic revision guide

Top Tips for IELTS Academic revision guide

Top Tips for IELTS Academic revision guide

Get your exam preparation off to a good start with this revision guide. Written by Cambridge ESOL – the people who write and set the IELTS test. It gives you essential advice (‘tips’) for success and covers all parts of the Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking test papers. What you get:

  1. sample test paper to try
  2. audio recordings for the Listening paper
  3. answers and sample answers
  4. video of example Speaking test so you know what to do.
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Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 1

Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 1

Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 1

Use official practice materials. This book and CD is approved by the IELTS partners: the British Council, Cambridge ESOL and IDP: IELTS Australia and it will help you prepare for the real exam. The practice materials give you valuable tips for all parts of the IELTS test. Find out what the test is like across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking. You will get:

  1. practice tests for the Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking
  2. answer sheets and answer keys
  3. CD for the Listening test and sample Speaking tests.

Preview Buy
Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 2

Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 2

Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 2

Volume 2 follows on from Volume 1 and contains completely different practice materials to help you prepare for the real exam. It is also approved by the IELTS partners: the British Council, Cambridge ESOL and IDP: IELTS Australia. You will get valuable tips for all parts of the IELTS test. Find out what the test is like across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking. You will get:

  1. practice tests for the Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking
  2. answer sheets and answer keys
  3. DVD for the Listening test and sample Speaking tests.
Preview Buy
Online Practice Test Online Practice Test

Online Practice Test

Get extra exam practice with an Online Practice Test – from the people who write and set the IELTS test. It’s made in the same way as the real test. We have used the same sort of questions and topics, and your answers will be scored in a similar way to the IELTS test. All this will help improve your language skills, knowledge and exam technique, making you feel more confident and giving you the best possible chance of success.

You will get:

  1. a full practice test for Reading, Listening and Writing
  2. automatic scoring for Reading and Listening and sample answers for Writing
  3. a score report to show how well you have done
  4. detailed answer feedback so you know what your strengths and weaknesses are.
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IELTS Academic Self-study Course (Bands 4.5–7.5) IELTS Academic Self-study Course (Bands 4.5–7.5)

IELTS Academic Self-study Course (Bands 4.5–7.5)

This self-study course has been developed by Cambridge ESOL – the same people who write and set the IELTS test. If you lead a busy life and don’t have time for classroom study, this course is ideal for you.

Our online courses are flexible, letting you study what you want, when you want. You can study this course in 10–20 minute chunks or longer periods – the choice is yours. It has been designed to help you achieve the IELTS band score you need.

About the course:

  1. 100-hour web-based course
  2. Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking modules – 25 hours each
  3. multimedia makes learning more effective and interesting for you
  4. interactive practice exercises will help you improve.
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IELTS Academic Reading Module IELTS Academic Reading Module

IELTS Academic Reading Module

This 25-hour module is one part of the IELTS Academic Self-study Course. It is ideal to take if you need to improve your confidence and build your skills so that you can be successful completing the tasks in the IELTS Academic Reading test.

You will:

  1. practise your reading skills and answering exam questions
  2. improve your reading fluency
  3. learn exam-taking strategies.
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IELTS Academic Writing Module IELTS Academic Writing Module

IELTS Academic Writing Module

This 25-hour module is one part of the IELTS Academic Self-study Course. It is ideal to take if you need to improve your confidence and build your skills so that you can be successful completing the tasks in the IELTS Academic Writing test.

You will:

  1. improve your writing ability
  2. analyse topics and essay questions, plan essay outlines and structure your essay content
  3. write letters or essays on the same IELTS questions you have been studying.
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IELTS Academic Listening Module IELTS Academic Listening Module

IELTS Academic Listening Module

This 25-hour module is one part of the IELTS Academic Self-study Course. It is ideal to take if you need to improve your confidence and build your skills so that you can be successful completing the tasks in the IELTS Academic Listening test.

You will:

  1. complete interactive exercises to build your vocabulary
  2. complete interactive activities to improve your grammar and language knowledge and improve your listening skills.
  3. practise listening tasks.
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IELTS Academic Speaking Module IELTS Academic Speaking Module

IELTS Academic Speaking Module

This 25-hour module is one part of the IELTS Academic Self-study Course. It is ideal to take if you need to improve your confidence and build your skills so that you can be successful completing the tasks in the IELTS Academic Speaking test.

You will:

  1. practise answering questions on familiar topics
  2. improve your pronunciation, accuracy, vocabulary and fluency
  3. become better at discussing more abstract subjects.
More Buy

IELTS General Training

Top Tips for IELTS General Training revision guide with interactive CD-ROM Top Tips for IELTS General Training revision guide with interactive CD-ROM

Top Tips for IELTS General Training revision guide with interactive CD-ROM

Get your exam preparation off to a good start with this revision guide. Written by Cambridge ESOL – the people who write and set the IELTS test – it gives you essential advice (‘tips’) for success. It covers all parts of the Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking test papers.

What you get:

  1. interactive CD-ROM
  2. sample test paper to try
  3. audio recordings for the Listening paper
  4. answers and sample answers
  5. video of example Speaking test so you know what to do.
Preview Buy
Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 1 Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 1

Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 1

Use official practice materials. This book and CD is approved by the IELTS partners: the British Council, Cambridge ESOL and IDP: IELTS Australia, and it will help you prepare for the real exam. The practice materials give you valuable tips for all parts of the IELTS. Find out what the test is like across all language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking.

You will get:

  1. practice tests for the Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking
  2. answer sheets and answer keys
  3. CD for the Listening test and sample Speaking tests to watch.
Preview Buy
Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 2 Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 2

Official IELTS Practice Materials Volume 2

Volume 2 follows on from volume 1 and contains completely differently practice materials to help you prepare for the real exam. It is also approved by the IELTS partners: the British Council, Cambridge ESOL and IDP: IELTS Australia.
You will get valuable tips for all parts of the IELTS test and find out what the test is like across all language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking. And

You will get:

  1. practice tests for the Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking
  2. answer sheets and answer keys
  3. DVD for the Listening test and sample Speaking tests to watch.
Preview Buy
Online Practice Test Online Practice Test

Online Practice Test

Get extra exam practice with an Online Practice Test – from the people who write and set the IELTS test. It’s made in the same way as the real test. We have used the same sort of questions and topics, and your answers will be scored in a similar way to the IELTS test. All this will help improve your language skills, knowledge and exam technique,l making you feel more confident and giving you the best possible chance of success.

You will get:

  1. a full practice test for Reading, Listening and Writing
  2. automatic scoring for Reading and Listening and sample answers for Writing
  3. a score report to show how well you have done
  4. detailed answer feedback so you know what your strengths and weaknesses are
  5. help functions in Learner mode can be turned on or off.
Preview Buy
IELTS General Training Self-study Course (Bands 4.5–7.5) IELTS General Training Self-study Course (Bands 4.5–7.5)

IELTS General Training Self-study Course (Bands 4.5–7.5)

This self-study course has been developed by Cambridge ESOL – the same people who write and set the IELTS test. If you lead a busy life and don’t have time for classroom study, this course is ideal for you.

Our online courses are flexible, letting you study what you want, when you want. You can study this course in 10–20 minute chunks or longer periods – the choice is yours. It has been designed to help you achieve the IELTS band score you need.

About the course:

  1. 100-hour web-based course
  2. Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking modules – 25 hours each
  3. multimedia makes learning more effective and interesting for you
  4. interactive practice exercises will help you improve.
More Buy
Online Practice Test IELTS General Training Reading Module

IELTS General Training Reading Module

This 25-hour module is one part of the IELTS General Training Self-study Course. It is ideal to take if you need to improve your confidence and build your skills. So that you can be successful completing the tasks in the IELTS General Training Reading test.

You will:

  1. practise your reading skills and answering exam questions
  2. improve your reading fluency
  3. learn exam-taking strategies.
More Buy
IELTS General Training Writing Module IELTS General Training Writing Module

IELTS General Training Writing Module

This 25-hour module is one part of the IELTS General Training Self-study Course.It is ideal to take if you need to improve your confidence and build your skills so that you can be successful completing the tasks in the IELTS General Training Writing test.

You will:

  1. improve your writing ability
  2. analyse topics and essay questions, plan essay outlines and structure your essay content
  3. write letters or essays on the same IELTS questions you have been studying.
More Buy
IELTS General Training Listening Module IELTS General Training Listening Module

IELTS General Training Listening Module

This 25-hour module is one part of the IELTS General Training Self-study Course. It is ideal to take if you need to improve your confidence and build your skills so that you can be successful completing the tasks in the IELTS General Training Listening test.

You will:

  1. complete interactive exercises to build your vocabulary
  2. complete interactive activities to improve your grammar and language knowledge and improve your listening skills
  3. practise listening tasks.
More Buy
IELTS General Training Speaking Module IELTS General Training Speaking Module

IELTS General Training Speaking Module

This 25-hour module is one part of the IELTS General Training Self-study Course. It is ideal to take if you need to improve your confidence and build your skills so that you can be successful completing the tasks in the IELTS General Training Speaking test.

You will:

  1. practise answering questions on familiar topics
  2. improve your pronunciation, accuracy, vocabulary and fluency
  3. become better at discussing more abstract subjects.
More Buy

For Teachers

IELTS Speaking Test Preparation Pack IELTS Speaking Test Preparation Pack

IELTS Speaking Test Preparation Pack

Prepare your students to perform with confidence in their Speaking test. This comprehensive teacher resource pack from Cambridge ESOL has been written by experienced examiners. It contains step-by-step guidance and practical exercises to help your students develop their speaking skills. The pack includes a DVD of a sample Speaking test with corresponding worksheet activities.

You will get:

  1. DVD showing real students taking a Speaking test
  2. Student Worksheets and candidate tasks
  3. Teacher’s Notes – how to use the Student Worksheets.
Preview Buy
IELTS Academic Blended Learning Course (Bands 4.5–5.5) IELTS Academic Blended Learning Course (Bands 4.5–5.5)

IELTS Academic Blended Learning Course (Bands 4.5–5.5)
50–60% online, 40–50% classroom = 100 hours

Cambridge ESOL has developed this IELTS Academic Blended Learning Course to help successfully prepare your lower band learners for the IELTS Academic test.

Our course comes with more than 100 hours of learning material so you can adjust the mix of online and classroom teaching to fit the needs of your learners.

Our Learning Management System (LMS) is web-based, so you can easily add your own teaching material, as well as keep in touch with your students when they are not attending class. Most importantly, you can track student work and progress, and analyse individual and class practice test scores. This will give you the knowledge to help your students succeed and make your lessons even more effective.

About the course:

  1. 100-hour course with flexible blend of online and classroom study
  2. Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking modules – 25 hours each
  3. classroom teaching consolidates online learning
  4. student tracking and real-time reporting.
Watch video Contact us
IELTS Academic Blended Learning Course (Bands 6.0–7.5) IELTS Academic Blended Learning Course (Bands 6.0–7.5)

IELTS Academic Blended Learning Course (Bands 6.0–7.5)
60–75% online, 25–40% classroom = 100 hours

Cambridge ESOL has developed this IELTS Academic Blended Learning Course to help successfully prepare your higher band learners for the IELTS Academic test.

Our course comes with more than 100 hours of learning material. So you can adjust the mix of online and classroom teaching to fit the needs of your learners. This means you can adjust the mix of online and classroom teaching to fit the needs of your learners.

Our Learning Management System (LMS) is web-based. So you don’t have to install any new software. The LMS is flexible and practical. You can easily add your own teaching material, as well as keep in touch with your students when they are not attending class. Most importantly, you can track student work and progress and analyse individual and class practice test scores. This will give you the knowledge to help your students succeed and make your lessons even more effective.

About the course:


  1. 100-hour course with flexible blend of online and classroom study
  2. Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking modules – 25 hours each
  3. classroom activities consolidate online learning
  4. student tracking and real-time reporting.
Watch video Contact us

More official preparation materials

A huge range of official Cambridge English preparation materials are also available from the Cambridge University Press website. Materials include printed and digital resources to support teachers and help learners prepare for their exam.

Visit Cambridge University Press

Exam dates

Exam dates for 2012 and 2013

IELTS is available on 48 dates during the year. The Academic module is available on all of the dates. The General Training module is available on 24 dates.

The Speaking test can be taken in a 2-week window around the test day. Test dates are published on the IELTS website. To see test dates click here

 

Results

There is no pass or fail in IELTS. Candidates are graded on their performance in the test, using scores from 1–9 for each part of the test – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Your results from the four parts then produce an overall band score.

This unique 9-band system measures scores in a consistent manner – wherever and whenever the test is taken. It is internationally recognised and understood, giving you a reliable international currency.

The IELTS 9-band scale

Each band corresponds to a level of English competence. All parts of the test and the overall band score can be reported in whole and half bands, e.g. 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0.

Band 9: Expert user: has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.

Band 8: Very good user: has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.

Band 7: Good user: has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.

Band 6: Competent user: has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

Band 5: Modest user: has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.

Band 4: Limited user: basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.

Band 3: Extremely limited user: conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

Band 2: Intermittent user: no real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.

Band 1: Non-user: essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

Band 0: Did not attempt the test: no assessable information provided.

For more information, download the Information for Candidates booklet.

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