IELTS – Details of the Exam	

IELTS Listening Description

Paper Format	Four sections, each with ten questions. 

The questions are designed so that the answers appear in order in the listening. 

The first two sections deal with situations set in everyday social contexts. There is a conversation between two speakers in Section 1 (for example a conversation about travel arrangements) and a monologue in Section 2 (for example, a speech about local facilities). 

The final two sections deal with situations set in educational and training contexts. In Section 3 there is a conversation between two main speakers (for example, two university students in discussion, perhaps guided by a tutor), and Section 4 is a monologue on an academic subject. 

The recordings are heard once only. They include a range of accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand and American.	
Timing	Approximately 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes' transfer time).	
No of Questions	40	
Task Types	A variety of questions is used, chosen from the following types: multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion, sentence completion.	
Answering	During the Listening test candidates write their answers on the question paper as they listen and at the end of the test are given 10 minutes to transfer their answers to an answer sheet. Care should be taken when writing answers on the answer sheet as poor spelling and grammar are penalised.	
Marks	All questions carry 1 mark.	

IELTS Academic Reading Description

Paper Format	Three reading passages with a variety of questions using a number of task types.	
Timing	60 minutes	
No of Questions	40	
Task Types	A variety of questions are used, chosen from the following types; multiple choice, 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.	
Sources	Texts are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers and have been written for a non-specialist audience. 

All the topics are of general interest. They deal with issues which are interesting, recognisably appropriate and accessible to candidates entering undergraduate or postgraduate courses or seeking professional registration. 

The passages may be written in a variety of styles, for example narrative, descriptive or discursive/argumentative. 

At least one text contains detailed logical argument. 

Texts may contain non-verbal materials such as diagrams, graphs or illustrations. 

If texts contain technical terms then a simple glossary is provided.	
Answering	Candidates are required to transfer their answers to an answer sheet. 

Candidates must transfer their answers during the time allowed for the test. 

No extra time is allowed for transfer. Care should be taken when writing answers on the answer sheet as poor spelling and grammar are penalised.	
Marks	All questions carry 1 mark.	

IELTS Academic Writing Description

Paper Format	There are two Writing tasks and BOTH must be completed.	
Timing	60 minutes	
No of Questions	2	
Task Types	In Task 1 candidates are asked to describe some visual information (graph/table/chart/diagram), and to present the description in their own words. 

They need to write 150 words in about 20 minutes. 

In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view or argument or problem. 

They need to write 250 words in about 40 minutes.	
Answering	Answers must be given on the answer sheet and must be written in full. Notes or bullet points in whole or in part are not acceptable as answers. Candidates may write on the question paper but this cannot be taken from the examination room and will not be seen by the examiner.	

IELTS Speaking Description

Paper Format	The Speaking test consists of an oral interview between the candidate and an examiner. All Speaking tests are recorded.	
Timing	11-14 minutes	
Task Types	There are three parts to the test and each part fulfils a specific function in terms of interaction pattern, task input and candidate output.	

Part 1 – Introduction and interview
Task Type & Format	In this part, the examiner introduces him/herself and checks the candidate’s identity. Then the examiner asks the candidate general questions on some familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies, interests. 
Part 1 lasts for 4-5 minutes.	
Task Focus	Focuses on the candidate’s ability to communicate opinions and information on everyday topics and common experiences or situations by answering a range of questions.	
Number of Questions	Variable	

Part 2 – The Long Turn
Task Type & Format	Part 2 is the individual long turn. The examiner gives the candidate a task card which asks the candidate to talk about a particular topic, includes points to cover in their talk and instructs the candidate to explain one aspect of the topic. Candidates are given 
1 minute to prepare their talk, and are given a pencil and paper to make notes.
Using the points on the task card effectively, and making notes during the preparation time, will help the candidate think of appropriate things to say, structure their talk, and keep talking for 2 minutes.
The examiner asks the candidate to talk for 1 to 2 minutes, stops the candidate after 2 minutes, and asks one or two questions on the same topic.
Part 2 lasts 3-4 minutes, including the preparation time.	
Task Focus	This part of the test focuses on the candidate’s ability to speak at length on a given topic (without further prompts from the examiner), using appropriate language and organising their ideas coherently. It is likely that the candidate will need to draw on their own experience to complete the long turn.	
Number of Questions	Variable	

Part 3 - Discussion
Task Type & Format	In Part 3, the examiner and the candidate discuss issues related to the topic in Part 2 in a more general and abstract way and – where appropriate – in greater depth.
Part 3 lasts 4-5 minutes.	
Task Focus	This part of the test focuses on the candidate’s ability to express and justify opinions and to analyse, discuss and speculate about issues.	
Number of Questions	Variable