It can be taken in a test centre on paper or on computer, and can now also be taken online from home or another private location that has a stable internet connection.

IELTS ACADEMIC​

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It can only be taken in a test centre on paper or on computer.

IELTS GENERAL TRAINING​

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The IELTS General Training test is suitable for those applying to study below degree level. This includes an English-speaking school or college. It can also be taken for work experience or other employment training.

IELTS General Training is also required for migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. The test features everyday English language skills that you will need in social and workplace environments.​

The IELTS Academic test is suitable for those wanting to study in an English-speaking environment or university (higher education). You can also take IELTS Academic for professional registration purposes.

The test measures if you are ready to begin studying in English. It features vocabulary that is familiar within an academic setting.

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How to choose the appropriate one?

Taken from: https://www.ielts.org/about-ielts/ielts-test-types#:~:text=The%20IELTS%20Academic%20test%20is,to%20begin%20studying%20in%20English.

It takes about 2 hours 45 minutes to do the test, but it may last up to 3 hours and 15 minutes.

*Remember: you need 30 minutes for the speaking test and administration.

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​Taken from: https://cambridgeenglishsite.com/2018/04/24/10-facts-about-ielts/

Lengh of the test

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​Test format – Listening

You will listen to four recordings of native English speakers and then write your answers to a series of questions.

• Recording 1 – a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.

• Recording 2 – a monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities.

• Recording 3 – a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context, e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment.

• Recording 4 – a monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture.

Assessors will be looking for evidence of your ability to understand the main ideas and detailed factual information, the opinions and attitudes of speakers, the purpose of an utterance and evidence of your ability to follow the development of ideas.​

Taken from: https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/test-format

​More details about Listening part

• Test takers have approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes transfer time).

• A variety of question types are used, chosen from the following: multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion, sentence completion.​

• Test takers write their answers on the question paper as they listen and at the end of the test are given 10 minutes to transfer their answers to an answer sheet. Care should be taken when writing answers on the answer sheet as poor spelling and grammar are penalised.​

• Each question is worth 1 mark.​

Taken from: https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/test-format

​How's it marked?

The Listening test is marked by certificated markers, who are regularly monitored to ensure their reliability. All answer sheets, after being marked, are further analysed by Cambridge English.

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Subject | Subject

Taken from: https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/test-format

Band score conversion

​A Band Score conversion table is produced for each version of the Listening test which translates scores out of 40 into the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole bands and half bands.

One mark is awarded for each correct answer in the 40-item test. Care should be taken when writing answers on the answer sheet as poor spelling and grammar are penalised.

Taken from: https://www.ielts.org/for-test-takers/test-format