The IELTS listening test will take about 30 minutes, and you will have an extra 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
You will listen to four recorded texts, monologues and conversations by a range of native speakers, and write their answers to a series of questions. These include questions which test the ability to understand main ideas and detailed factual information, ability to understand the opinions and attitudes of speakers, ability to understand the purpose of what is said and ability to follow the development of ideas.
The IELTS reading test will take about 60 minutes. It consists of 40 questions. A variety of question types is used in order to test a wide range of reading skills.
The IELTS Academic reading test includes three long texts which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical.
The IELTS General Training reading test includes three passages with tasks. It requires you to read extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines.
Academic Task 1: You will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and you will be asked to explain the information in your own words.
General Task 1: You will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation.
Task 2 General/Academic: You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.
Task 1: You will be asked to answer general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as your home, family, work, studies and interests.
Task 2: You will be given a card and you will be asked to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes.
Task 3: You will be asked further questions connected to the topic in Part 2. These questions give you an opportunity to discuss more abstract issues and ideas.