What is the IELTS test format?
IELTS is more than just a score. By testing practical English language skills across a range of authentic contexts it’s the exam to help you succeed beyond test day.
About the test sections
IELTS tests your English across four core language skills - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking – with tasks designed to assess whether you can communicate effectively in the real world.
Follow spoken English
To succeed in an English-speaking environment, you’ll need to understand ideas, opinions and details shared in spoken English. To assess this, listening test tasks in IELTS Academic recreate real study scenarios like lectures or seminars, while IELTS General Training tasks use regular workplace settings.
Understand written English
The IELTS Reading section assesses how well you can follow written English. It includes three text passages, including descriptive, factual and more discursive texts. These reflect the types of written materials you'll come across in English-speaking universities, workplaces and communities.
Write coherently in English
The IELTS Writing section tests how well you can write for specific audiences and purposes, which is essential to get ahead in English-speaking environments. The Academic version uses university-level writing tasks, while the General Training version uses tasks for workplace and everyday contexts.
Speak English confidently
IELTS Speaking assesses whether you can use spoken English at the level required to participate fully in either study, work or social interactions. The ability to express yourself clearly, engage in conversation and discuss ideas is essential for you to thrive in English-speaking contexts.
How long is the IELTS test?
The IELTS test takes 2 hours and 45 mins: Listening (30 min), Reading (60 min), Writing (60 min), Speaking (11-14 min).
The Speaking test may take place on the same day or within 7 days of other sections.
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At-a-glance: IELTS format
Both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training tests have 4 test components. Both test types have the same Listening and Speaking tests, but Reading and Writing differ slightly. Take a look at the breakdown of the IELTS test format by section.
| IELTS Academic | IELTS General Training | |
|---|---|---|
| Listening section | Four parts: two monologues and two conversations; 40 questions | Four parts: two monologues and two conversations; 40 questions |
| Reading section | Three reading passages from academic texts; 40 questions | Between 5-6 short texts from everyday sources; 40 questions |
| Writing section | Two tasks: an academic-style report and a formal essay | Two tasks: a letter and a formal essay |
| Speaking section | Three parts: intros, then a solo talk and a discussion on a set topic | Three parts: intros, then a solo talk and a discussion on a set topic |
IELTS test format: FAQs
The IELTS test assesses four key language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
IELTS Listening: This component tests how well you understand spoken English.
IELTS Reading: This component assesses your English reading skills.
IELTS Writing: This component assesses how well you can write in English.
IELTS Speaking: This component tests your spoken English via a live conversation with an official IELTS examiner.
For more information, visit our How does the IELTS format work page.
You will take the Listening, Reading and Writing sections of the test on the same day with no breaks between the test sections. You will take your Speaking test either 1) on the same day, 2) within 7 days before or after the other test sections. The date of your Speaking test will depend on your local test centre and arrangements.
If you take IELTS Online, your Speaking test will usually be before your Listening, Reading and Writing, either on the same day or a different day.
As IELTS is an international test, you will hear a variety of accents from different English-speaking countries, like the UK, USA, Australia, Ireland or New Zealand.
The accent you hear in the Speaking test will depend on your examiner’s nationality and where you take the test. You may hear an accent from an English-speaking country, like the UK, USA, Australia, Ireland or New Zealand. However, non-native speakers can also be IELTS examiners if they have a high level of English, so you may hear an accent from another country.