The IELTS test covers all four language skills
- Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking - graded
across nine levels from Non User (1) to Expert User (9).
There are four parts (modules) to the test.
All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking modules but
they can choose to take either the General Training or Academic
Reading and Writing modules.
The IELTS Academic Module is recognised widely
as a language requirement for entry to all courses in further and
higher education and assesses whether a candidate is ready to study
or train in the medium of English at an undergraduate or
postgraduate level.
The IELTS General Training Module is suitable
for candidates who are going to English-speaking countries to
complete their secondary education, undertake training programs or
for immigration purposes.
The modules are always taken in the same
order: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. They are usually
taken on the same day.
The complete test takes 2 hours and 45
minutes.
Test Format
Common modules
Listening - Time: 30 minutes
Candidates listen to a number of recorded
texts, which increase in difficulty as the test progresses. These
include a mixture of conversations and dialogues and feature a
variety of English accents and dialects. The recording is heard
only once, but candidates are given time to read the questions and
record their answers.
Speaking - Time: 10 - 15 minutes
The test takes the form of a face to face
interview between one candidate and one examiner. Candidates are
assessed on their use of spoken English to answer short questions,
speak at length on a familiar topic and also to ask questions and
interact with the examiner.
General Training Module
Reading - Time: 60 minutes
The texts are based on the types of
material candidates would usually encounter on a daily basis
in an English-speaking country. They are taken from sources such as
newspapers, advertisements, instruction manuals and books, and test
the candidate's ability to understand and use information. The test
includes one longer text, which is descriptive rather than
argumentative.
Writing - Time: 60 minutes
The format of the test is the same as the
equivalent Academic Module. Task 1 requires candidates to
write a letter either asking for information or explaining a
situation.
Task 2 is a short essay of around 250
words, and it is written in response to a given point of view or
problem. Candidates are expected to be able to present their own
ideas and challenge other ideas, using the appropriate tone or
register.
Academic Module
Reading - Time: 60 minutes
Each test includes three reading passages
with related questions. Texts are taken from books, magazines,
journals and newspapers, all written for a non-specialist audience.
At least one of the texts contains a detailed argument.
Writing - Time: 60 minutes
For Task 1, candidates write a report of
around 150 words based on material found in a table or diagram,
demonstrating their ability to describe and explain data.
For Task 2, candidates write a short
essay of around 250 words in response to an opinion or a problem.
They are expected to demonstrate an ability to discuss issues,
construct an argument and use the appropriate tone and
register.