A test of four skills
Test takers can choose between IELTS Academic and
IELTS General Training, depending on their academic
or professional aspirations, or visa requirements.
The distinction with IELTS Academic lies in the subject
matter and tasks of the Reading and Writing components.
The Listening and Speaking components are the same.
Listening 30 minutes
Test takers listen to four recorded texts, monologues and
conversations by a range of native speakers, and write their
answers to a series of questions.
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Reading 60 minutes :
The Academic version includes three long texts which range
from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical.
The texts are authentic and are taken from books, journals,
magazines and newspapers, all of which have been selected
for a non-specialist audience.
The General Training version requires test takers to read
extracts from newspapers, advertisements, instruction
manuals and books. These are materials test takers could
encounter on a daily basis in an English speaking country.
Writing 60 minutes:
The Academic version includes two tasks. Topics are of
general interest to, suitable for and easily understood by test
takers entering undergraduate or postgraduate studies or
seeking professional registration.
Task 1
Test takers are presented with a graph, table, chart or
diagram and are asked to describe, summarise or explain
the information in their own words. They may be asked to
describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process,
how something works or describe an object or event.
Task 2
Test takers are asked to write an essay in response to a
point of view, argument or problem.
Responses to both tasks must be written in a formal style.
The General Training version also includes two tasks,
and is based on topics of general interest.
Task 1
Test takers are presented with a situation and are asked to
write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation.
The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
Task 2
Test takers are asked to write an essay in response to a point
of view, argument or problem. The essay can be slightly more
personal in style than the Academic Writing Task 2 essay.
Speaking 11–14 minutes
The Speaking component assesses the test taker’s use of
spoken English, and takes between 11 and 14 minutes to
complete. Every test is digitally recorded and consists of
three parts:
Part 1
Test takers answer general questions about themselves
and a range of familiar topics, such as their home, family,
work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four
and five minutes.
Part 2
Test takers are given a booklet which asks them to talk about
a particular topic. They have one minute to prepare before
speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner may ask
one or two questions on the same topic to finish this part
of the test.
Part 3
Test takers are asked further questions which are connected
to the topic in Part 2. These questions give the candidate an
opportunity to discuss more abstract issues and ideas. This
part lasts between four and five minutes.
The format of the Speaking test is common across both the
Academic and General Training modules. It is structured in
such a way that does not allow test takers to rehearse set
responses beforehand.
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