IELTS Listening has four parts and 40 questions and takes about 30 minutes. You hear each recording once. It is the same in Academic and General Training.
The four parts
| Part | Situation | Typical example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Everyday conversation | Booking a room, registering for a course |
| 2 | Everyday monologue | A tour guide or a radio announcement |
| 3 | Academic conversation | Students discussing an assignment with a tutor |
| 4 | Academic monologue | A short lecture |
The parts get harder as the test goes on, so Part 4 is usually where higher bands are won or lost.
Common question types
- Form, note, table and sentence completion
- Multiple choice
- Matching
- Plan, map or diagram labelling
The easy marks people throw away
- Spelling. A misspelled answer is a wrong answer. Practise spelling common names, places, days and months.
- Word limits. If the instruction says no more than two words, three words is wrong, even if the meaning is right.
- Plurals. If the speaker says tickets, writing ticket can cost the mark.
- Numbers and dates. Practise hearing the difference between fifteen and fifty.
- Losing your place. If you miss an answer, move on immediately rather than missing the next three.
Before each section
You get time to read the questions before each recording. Use it to underline keywords and predict the type of answer: a number, a name, a noun, a place. Prediction is the most useful Listening skill there is.
Paper or computer?
On paper, you get extra time at the end to transfer answers to the answer sheet. On computer, you type answers as you go and get a shorter check at the end. Practise in the format you will actually sit.
How to practise
Use real practice tests under timed conditions, then go back through the transcript to find exactly why each wrong answer was wrong. Two weeks of this, done carefully, usually moves the Listening band noticeably.
See our IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training programmes, or read how long IELTS preparation actually takes.
Frequently asked questions
How many times is the IELTS Listening recording played?
Once only, so prediction and keeping your place are essential skills.
Does spelling count in IELTS Listening?
Yes. An answer with a spelling mistake is marked wrong.
Is IELTS Listening the same for Academic and General Training?
Yes. The Listening test is identical in both versions.
How many correct answers do I need for band 7?
Roughly 30 to 31 out of 40, although the conversion can vary slightly between test versions.
More IELTS, SAT & English guides
- IELTS Reading strategies: timing, True/False/Not Given and headings
- IELTS on computer vs paper: which format should you choose?
- The digital SAT format explained: sections, timing and scoring
- What is a good SAT score?
- SAT Reading and Writing tips for the digital SAT
- SAT Math tips: topics, the Desmos calculator and common mistakes
- All IELTS, SAT & English guides →
Written by the Learning Bubble teaching team. If something here does not match your situation, ask us. We would rather give you a straight answer than have you guess.