IELTS A to Z : Modules & Exam Methods

 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.