Test
The IELTS Listening Test consists of four recordings, each followed by questions. You will listen to conversations and monologues featuring native English speakers with varying accents, and you will only hear each recording once.
The IELTS Listening Test lasts 30 minutes. If you're taking the paper-based test, you will have an extra 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. On a computer-delivered test, you will get 2 minutes to review your responses. The Listening section consists of four parts, each with 10 questions, making a total of 40 questions. The difficulty increases with each section, and each question is worth 1 point.
Before the audio plays, you'll be given some time to read and consider the questions. Afterward, you'll have time to review the answers you have written. The Listening test is the same for both Academic and General Training IELTS
Note that the words in the audio may not match the exact wording of the questions, so it is important to fully understand the discussions and monologues to correctly interpret and write your answers. Also, pay attention to the word count limit and specific instructions. For example, responses may need to be one word, two words, or a number.
The IELTS Listening score is determined by the number of correct answers you provide. Your total correct answers out of the 40 questions are converted into a band score, which ranges from 0 to 9. Each correct answer earns one point, and the final band score is based on your raw score.
The Listening section is identical for both Academic and General IELTS, meaning that candidates in both categories will have the same scoring system. Therefore, both Academic and General applicants can expect similar results for the Listening test.
Your raw score is then converted into a final band score using a conversion table that ensures consistency and fairness across all test-takers.
| Correct Answers | Band Scores |
|---|---|
| 39-40 | 9 |
| 37-38 | 8.5 |
| 35-36 | 8 |
| 32-34 | 7.5 |
| 30-31 | 7 |
| 26-29 | 6.5 |
| 23-25 | 6 |
| 18-22 | 5.5 |
| 16-17 | 5 |
| 13-15 | 4.5 |
| 11-12 | 4 |
1. Before the recording begins, carefully read the questions for the section. This will help you follow the audio more easily and understand where the answers fit.
2.Instead of focusing on the last section after completing a part, shift your attention to the questions for the next section.
3. Some answers may come with multiple options, which are listed alphabetically rather than in the order they will appear in the audio.
4.Be mindful of word limits. For example, if you're instructed to write no more than two words, providing more than two words will lead to no marks, even if some words are correct.
5.Listen for key words or synonyms (words with similar meanings) in the questions, which can help you identify the right answers.
6. Pay attention to cues like "firstly," "my next point," and "to sum up," which indicate the part of the audio you're listening to. These signals can help you track which question you're answering..
7.As you listen to the recording, eliminate the options that don't match. This strategy will make it easier to find the correct answer..
8.When writing dates, remember there are different correct formats, such as April 24th, 24 April, or 24th April.
You have ten minutes after the last recording to transfer your answers from the Remember, you have ten minutes after the final recording to transfer your answers from the Listening booklet to the answer sheet. Do not rush to write answers in between sections, as this could cause you to miss important information for the upcoming part. Wait until Section 4 is finished before transferring your answers.
In general, the Listening section contains six types of questions: form, note, table, flow-chart, and summary completion, Labeling of plans, maps, and diagrams, Matching, Multiple choices, Completion of the sentence, Question with a short answer.
The IELTS Listening test consists of four sections. Sections 1 and 2 focus on social situations, while sections 3 and 4 are academic. You will encounter a total of 40 questions across all sections, with 10 questions in each.
The recording is played only once, so it's essential to stay focused throughout. Since you won't have the chance to replay the audio, make sure to plan ahead and listen carefully.
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