A very important part for getting prepared for IELTS is to understand the format of the test and to know what types of questions you can expect. The candidate also needs to know what the expert examiners are looking for when they have to grade your results.
The most common mistake seen is that the people lack the understanding of the test marking criteria and this leads them to go underprepared for the test. If the candidate understands what to expect it will help them to answer the questions and also decrease the nervousness on the day of the test.
There are two types of IELTS you can take, IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic. Listening and Speaking are the same however Reading and Writing differ across the two tests. The table below gives a high-level overview of the two tests.
IELTS General | IELTS Academic | |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 30 minutes Four recordings: 1. Conversation between two people 2. Monologue, for example a speech 3. Conversation between four people 4. Monologue i.e. University lecture 40 questions | 30 minutes Four recordings: 1. Conversation between two people 2. Monologue i.e. speech 3. Conversation between four people 4. Monologue i.e. University lecture 40 questions |
| Reading | 60 minutes Three readings from books, magazines, newspapers, materials you would encounter in everyday life. 40 questions | 60 minutes Three readings from books, journals, material you might encounter studying an undergraduate or post graduate level. 40 questions |
| Writing | 60 minutes Two tasks: 1. Respond to a situation for example writing a letter. 2. Write an essay in response to a point of view or argument. | 60 minutes Two tasks: 1. Describe visual (graph/chart) in your own words. (150 words) 2. Respond to a point of view or argument. (250 words) |
| Speaking | 11-14 minutes Three parts: 1. Introduction 2. Discuss a topic 3. Further discussion on topic | 11-14 minutes Three parts: 1. Introduction 2. Discuss a topic |