Test Preparation
IELTS Academic Module
The IELTS Academic test is designed for candidates applying for higher education or professional registration. Test delivery and availability can vary by country and test centre, so students should always check the local booking options and the organisation's acceptance policy before booking.
Academic Reading
The Reading paper consists of three different texts and a total of 40 questions.
The texts are authentic and academic in nature, written for a non-specialist audience. They are sourced from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. The style may be descriptive, factual, or argumentative.
| Task Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Multiple Choice | Choose one, two, or three correct answers from a list of alternatives. |
| Identifying Information | Determine if a statement is True, False, or Not Given according to the text. |
| Identifying Writer's Views | Determine if a statement agrees with claims/views (Yes), disagrees (No), or if there is no information (Not Given). |
| Matching Information | Match specific information or details to the correct paragraph. |
| Matching Headings | Match a heading from a list to the correct paragraph or section. |
| Matching Features | Match a list of statements to a list of options (e.g., researchers, dates, theories). |
| Sentence Completion | Complete a sentence using a suitable word or words from the text (adhering to a strict word limit). |
| Summary / Note / Table / Flow-chart Completion | Fill in the gaps in a summary, note, table, or flow-chart using words from the text or a word bank, following the stated word limit. |
| Diagram Labelling | Label a diagram using words from the text or a provided word bank. |
| Short-Answer Questions | Answer questions directly using words from the text. |
Academic Writing
The Writing test evaluates your ability to describe, summarise, or explain visual information in Task 1 and to write an academic essay in response to an issue, argument, opinion, or problem in Task 2. You must complete both tasks.
| Task | Timing & Length | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Task 1 | 20 mins Min. 150 words | Accurately describe, summarise, or explain visual information (diagram, map, bar chart, line graph, pie chart, or table). |
| Task 2 | 40 mins Min. 250 words | Write a formal discursive essay. You may be asked to evaluate a problem, present a solution, compare views, or state your opinion on an issue. Note: Task 2 contributes twice as much to your final writing band score as Task 1. |
Assessment Criteria:
- Task Achievement (Task 1) / Task Response (Task 2)
- Coherence and Cohesion (Logical structuring and linking of ideas)
- Lexical Resource (Vocabulary range and accuracy)
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (Sentence structures and error-free density)
Listening
The Listening module is identical for both Academic and General Training candidates. It consists of four parts of increasing difficulty.
| Part | Context | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Social / Everyday | A conversation between two people with a transactional purpose (e.g., booking a hotel, inquiring about a club). |
| Part 2 | Social / Everyday | A monologue providing practical information (e.g., a tour guide speaking, a radio broadcast about local events). |
| Part 3 | Academic / Educational | A conversation between up to four people in an educational setting (e.g., students discussing an assignment with a tutor). |
| Part 4 | Academic / Educational | A university-style lecture or academic monologue delivered by a single speaker. |
Speaking
This test consists of an interactive interview with a certified examiner. It is usually face-to-face, and in IELTS Online delivery it is conducted through a secure video call. The interview is divided into three distinct parts.
| Part | Timing | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1: Introduction | 4–5 mins | The examiner asks general questions about familiar topics such as your home, family, work, studies, and interests. |
| Part 2: Long Turn | 3–4 mins | You are given a task card with a specific topic. You have 1 minute to prepare notes, followed by 1–2 minutes of uninterrupted speaking. The examiner may ask one or two follow-up questions. |
| Part 3: Discussion | 4–5 mins | The examiner asks abstract, in-depth questions related to the theme of Part 2, requiring you to discuss ideas, express opinions, and analyze issues. |
Assessment Criteria:
- Fluency and Coherence
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- Pronunciation
IELTS Band Scale
| Band | Description |
|---|---|
| 9 | Expert User |
| 8 | Very Good User |
| 7 | Good User |
| 6 | Competent User |
| 5 | Modest User |
| 4 | Limited User |
| 3 | Extremely Limited User |
| 2 | Intermittent User |
| 1 | Non User |