# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
english as a second language certification

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It measures ability to communicate in English across all four language skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking - for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
There are two types of IELTS test to choose from, IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training. All test takers take the same Listening and Speaking tests but different Reading and Writing tests. Make sure that you prepare for the correct version of the test.

Using IELTS official practice materials will enable you to:

familiarise yourself with the test format

experience the types of tasks you will be asked to undertake

test yourself under timed conditions

review your answers and compare them with model answers.

If you are taking IELTS on Computer, click here for on Computer sample test questions.
IELTS official practice test
Once you have prepared with the sample questions put your knowledge to the test with IELTS Progress Check, IELTS official online marked practice test. The test will give you an indication of your band score and provide feedback on areas to improve. Book your official practice test today.

Listening

Duration: 30 minutes

The Listening test is the same for both Academic and General Training versions of IELTS and consists of four recorded monologues and conversations.

The following IELTS Listening sample tasks are to be used with the Answer Sheet and MP3 audio files and/or transcripts. Each answer sheet indicates which recording to listen to, or if a transcript is provided.

Listening sample test 1

Listening sample 1 task - Form completion (PDF, 59KB)

IELTS listening recording 1 (MP3, 1.2MB)

Listening sample 2 task Multiple Choice(PDF, 16KB)

Listening recording 2 (MP3, 402KB)

Listening sample 3 task Short Answer(PDF, 25KB)

IELTS Listening recording 3 (MP3, 574KB)

Listening sample 4 task Sentence Completion(PDF, 17KB)

IELTS Listening recording 4(MP3, 549KB)

Listening sample 5 task Matching(example 1 - PDF, 21KB)

IELTS Listening recording 5(MP3, 2.8MB)

Listening sample 6 task Matching(example 2 PDF, 21KB)

IELTS Listening recording 6(MP3, 2.1MB)

Listening sample 7 task Plan/Map/Diagram Labelling (PDF, 25KB)

IELTS Listening recording 7(MP3, 2.7MB)

Listening sample 8 task Note Completion(PDF, 59KB)

IELTS Listening recording 8(MP3, 4.18MB)

Listening Recording 8 Answer Sheet(PDF, 16KB)

Listening Sample 9 Task Short Answer(PDF, 25KB)

IELTS Listening Recording 9(MP3, 11.8MB)

Listening Recording 9 Answer Sheet(PDF, 17KB)

Find out more about the Listening test

Academic Reading

Duration: 60 minutes

Texts for the Academic Reading test are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers.

A variety of tasks is used, including: multiple choice questions, identifying information, identifying writer's views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short-answer questions.

Downloadable Academic Reading sample tasks

Academic Reading sample task - Matching features (PDF, 22KB)

Academic Reading sample task - Table completion (PDF, 59KB)

Academic Reading sample task - Flow-chart completion (selecting words from the text) (PDF, 173 KB)

Academic Reading sample task - Identifying information (True False Not Given) (PDF, 174KB)

Academic Reading sample task - Matching headings (PDF, 92KB)

Academic Reading sample task - Matching sentence endings task (PDF, 132KB)

Academic Reading sample task - Multiple choice (more than one answer) (PDF, 223KB)

Academic Reading sample task - Multiple choice (one answer) (PDF, 256KB)

Academic Reading sample task - Note completion task (PDF, 260KB)

Academic Reading sample task - Sentence completion task (PDF, 190KB)

Academic Reading sample task - Summary completion (selecting from a list of words or phrases) (PDF, 259 KB)

Academic Reading sample task - Summary completion (selecting words from the text) (PDF, 189 KB)

Find out more about the Academic Reading test

General Training Reading

Duration: 60 minutes

A variety of tasks is used including; multiple choice questions, identifying information, identifying writer's views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short-answer questions.

Downloadable General Training Reading sample tasks

General Training Reading sample task - Flow Chart Completion (PDF, 40KB)

General Training Reading sample task - Identifying Information (PDF, 99KB)

General Training Reading sample task - Matching Information (PDF, 43KB)

General Training Reading sample task - Matching Features (PDF, 32KB)

General Training Reading sample task - Matching Headings (PDF, 31KB)

General Training Reading sample task - Note completion task (PDF, 211KB)

General Training Reading sample task - Sentence Completion (PDF, 19KB)

General Training Reading sample task - Short-Answer Questions (PDF, 18KB)

General Training Reading sample task - Summary completion task (PDF, 202KB)

General Training Reading sample task - Identifying information (True False Not Given) (PDF, 123KB)

Find out more about the General Training Reading test

Academic Writing

Duration: 60 minutes

The Academic Writing tests consist of two writing tasks of 150 words and 250 words.

In Task 1, test takers are asked to describe some visual information (graph/table/chart/diagram). They need to write 150 words in about 20 minutes. In Task 2 test takers are presented with a point of view or argument or problem. They need to write their response in 250 words in about 40 minutes.

Below are samples of Task 1 and Task 2.

Please note that test takers for IELTS Academic take a different Writing test in IELTS General Training.
Find out more about the Academic Writing test

General Training Writing

Duration: 60 minutes

The General Writing test consists of two writing tasks of 150 words and 250 words.

In Task 1, test takers are asked to respond to a situation by writing a letter, for example, requesting information or explaining a situation.

In Task 2, test takers write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

Below are samples of Task 1 and Task 2.

Please note that test takers for IELTS General Training take a different Writing test in IELTS Academic.
Find out more about the General Training Writing test

Speaking

Duration: 11-14 minutes

In the Speaking test, you have a discussion with a certified examiner. It is interactive and as close to a real-life situation as a test can get.

There are three parts to the test and each part fulfils a specific function in terms of interaction pattern, task input and test taker output.

In Part 1, you answer questions about yourself and your family. In Part 2, you speak about a topic. In Part 3, you have a longer discussion on the topic.

The Speaking test is the same for both Academic and General Training versions. Each of the three parts is designed to test a different aspect of your communication ability.
Find out more about the Speaking test

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There are two types of IELTS test to choose from, IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training. All test takers take the same Listening and Speaking tests but different Reading and Writing tests. Make sure that you prepare for the correct version of the test.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
IELTSbuddy - Free exam preparation to improve your test score

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
IELTS buddy will guide you successfully through the IELTS test to get the score you need! Essential advice on writing, reading, speaking and listening