IELTS Prep
International English Language Testing System
IELTS is the world's most popular English proficiency test, accepted by over 11,000 organisations in 140+ countries. Jointly owned by British Council, IDP, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
~2h 45m
Test Duration
4
Sections
1–9
Score Range
2 years
Valid For
Choose Your Test Type
Test Structure
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
📊 How Scores Work
Each section is scored 1–9. Your overall band is the average of all four sections, rounded to the nearest 0.5.
Example Calculation
Listening7.5
Reading6.5
Writing6.0
Speaking7.0
Overall Band Score
7.0
(7.5 + 6.5 + 6.0 + 7.0) ÷ 4 = 6.75 → rounded to 7.0
🎧Listening
You listen to four recordings of native English speakers and answer 40 questions. The test is the same for both Academic and General Training.
Parts
1
Conversation - Everyday Social Context
▼A conversation between two people (e.g. booking a holiday, discussing accommodation). Questions typically require short answers or form completion.
⭐Listen for numbers, names and spellings carefully. They often spell out names.
2
Monologue - Everyday Social Context
▼A talk by one person (e.g. a speech about local facilities, a tour guide). Usually involves map/diagram labelling or multiple choice.
⭐Watch for distractors - the speaker may mention one option then change their mind.
3
Conversation - Educational/Training Context
▼A conversation between up to four people (e.g. students discussing an assignment). More complex language and ideas.
⭐Focus on speakers' attitudes and opinions, not just facts.
4
Monologue - Academic Context
▼An academic lecture or talk (e.g. a university lecture on climate change). The most complex part with sophisticated vocabulary.
⭐Use the reading time before each part to predict what you'll hear.
Question Types
- ✓Multiple choice
- ✓Matching
- ✓Plan/map/diagram labelling
- ✓Form/note/table/flow-chart completion
- ✓Sentence completion
- ✓Short answer
Top Tips
→Read the questions before listening - you get time to preview each section
→Write answers on the question paper while listening, then transfer during the 10 minutes
→You hear the recording ONCE only - concentrate fully
→Answers are in order - don't miss one and fall behind
→British, Australian, American and other accents are all used
→Spelling and grammar must be correct in your answers
→Numbers: listen for "point" (decimal), "double" (repeated digit), "oh" (zero)
Tips by Target Band
Band 5–6Focus on Parts 1 and 2. Practice with podcasts at normal speed.
Band 6–7Work on Parts 3 and 4. Practice note-taking while listening.
Band 7+Analyse question types. Practice with academic lectures (TED Talks, BBC documentaries).
🎧
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📖Reading
You read three long texts and answer 40 questions. Academic texts are from books and journals. General texts include notices and advertisements.
Passages
1
Academic: Long Argumentative Text / General: Short Factual Texts
▼Academic: A challenging argumentative text from an academic journal. General: 2–3 short factual texts (ads, notices, timetables).
⭐Skim the whole text for structure before reading the questions.
2
Academic: Descriptive/Factual Text / General: Work-Related Texts
▼Academic: A descriptive or factual text, often with diagrams. General: Texts related to work (job ads, training materials).
⭐For matching headings, read the first and last sentence of each paragraph.
3
Academic/General: Complex Text
▼The most challenging text in both versions. Academic texts are more analytical; General texts are longer and more complex than Passage 2.
⭐Don't spend too long on one question - move on and come back.
Question Types
- ✓Multiple choice
- ✓Identifying information (True / False / Not Given)
- ✓Identifying writer's views (Yes / No / Not Given)
- ✓Matching information / headings / features
- ✓Sentence / summary / note / table / flow-chart completion
- ✓Diagram label completion
- ✓Short answer
Top Tips
→TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN: "Not Given" means the text doesn't address the statement at all
→YES/NO/NOT GIVEN: "No" means the writer disagrees; "Not Given" means no opinion is expressed
→Scanning: look for key words from the question in the text
→Don't rely on prior knowledge - only use information from the text
→Answers for most question types appear in text order
→Time management: approximately 20 minutes per passage
→Transfer answers directly - no extra time like in Listening
Tips by Target Band
Band 5–6Practice T/F/NG carefully. Many students confuse False and Not Given.
Band 6–7Work on matching headings - requires understanding paragraph main ideas.
Band 7+Focus on writer's attitude and implied meaning. Read widely (The Guardian, New Scientist).
📖
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✍️Writing
Task 1 (20 min, 150+ words) and Task 2 (40 min, 250+ words). Task 2 carries twice the marks of Task 1.
Tasks
1
Task 1 - Academic: Graph/Chart/Diagram Description
▼Describe and summarise visual information - a bar chart, line graph, pie chart, table, diagram or map. Select key features and make comparisons. Do NOT give your opinion.
⭐Cover main trends, not every data point. Use language of change: "rose sharply", "declined gradually", "remained stable".
1
Task 1 - General Training: Letter Writing
▼Write a letter in response to a situation. Can be formal (to a company), semi-formal (to a neighbour) or informal (to a friend). Cover all three bullet points given.
⭐Match your tone to the task - informal language in a formal letter loses marks. Use the correct salutation.
2
Task 2 - Essay (Both Academic & General)
▼Write an essay responding to a point of view, argument or problem. Common types: opinion, discussion, problem-solution, advantages-disadvantages.
⭐Spend 5 minutes planning. A clear 4-paragraph structure (intro, body 1, body 2, conclusion) scores better than long unfocused writing.
Marking Criteria
Task Achievement / Response25%
How well you address all parts of the task and support your ideas
Coherence & Cohesion25%
How well your writing flows, use of paragraphs and linking words
Lexical Resource25%
Range and accuracy of vocabulary
Grammatical Range & Accuracy25%
Range and accuracy of grammar structures
Top Tips
→NEVER write less than 150 words (Task 1) or 250 words (Task 2)
→Task 2 is worth double - spend 40 minutes on it
→Do not use bullet points - write in full paragraphs
→Avoid informal contractions (don't, can't) in Academic essays
→Vary your sentence structures - don't only write simple sentences
→Link paragraphs: Furthermore, However, In contrast, As a result
→In Task 1 (Academic), NEVER give your personal opinion
→Paraphrase the question in your introduction - do not copy it word for word
Tips by Target Band
Band 5–6Focus on clear paragraph structure and covering all task requirements.
Band 6–7Expand vocabulary range. Practise complex sentences (relative clauses, conditionals).
Band 7+Work on sophistication: hedging language, nuanced arguments, precise vocabulary.
✍️
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🎙️Speaking
A face-to-face interview with a certified IELTS examiner. Three parts, recorded for quality control. Same test for both Academic and General Training.
Parts
1
Introduction & Interview (4–5 min)
▼The examiner asks about familiar topics: your home, family, work, studies, hobbies. Questions are straightforward and designed to put you at ease.
⭐Give more than one-word answers - extend with reasons and examples. Aim for 2–4 sentences per answer.
2
Long Turn / Individual Talk (3–4 min)
▼You receive a task card with a topic and 3–4 bullet points. You have 1 minute to prepare (you can make notes), then speak for 1–2 minutes.
⭐Use your preparation time to plan each bullet point. Keep talking for the full 2 minutes - examiners notice if you stop early.
3
Discussion (4–5 min)
▼The examiner asks more abstract questions related to the Part 2 topic. You're expected to express and justify opinions, analyse, speculate and discuss.
⭐Use higher-level language: "It could be argued that…", "From my perspective…", "The implications of this are…"
Marking Criteria
Fluency & Coherence25%
Speaking at natural pace without excessive hesitation; logical flow of ideas
Lexical Resource25%
Range and appropriacy of vocabulary; ability to paraphrase
Grammatical Range & Accuracy25%
Accurate use of a variety of grammatical structures
Pronunciation25%
Clarity, use of features of connected speech, intonation and stress
Top Tips
→Speak clearly and at a natural pace - don't rush or speak too slowly
→It's OK to use fillers naturally: "That's an interesting question…", "Let me think about that…"
→DO correct yourself - self-correction shows language awareness
→Do NOT memorise answers - examiners are trained to detect this
→Extend answers in Part 1: give reasons, examples, contrasts
→In Part 3, express and justify opinions: "I believe… because…, although…"
→Pronunciation counts - aim for clarity, not a specific accent
→Your accent does NOT affect your score - only clarity matters
Tips by Target Band
Band 5–6Practice speaking on common topics for 2 minutes without stopping. Record yourself.
Band 6–7Work on fluency - reduce hesitation. Learn linking phrases for Part 3 discussions.
Band 7+Focus on pronunciation features: word stress, connected speech, intonation patterns.
🎙️
Practice Speaking with AI
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⚡ AI-Powered IELTS Practice
Practice all four skills. Each task generates an IELTS-style prompt and gives instant AI feedback with an estimated band score.
Your Test Type
🎧 Listening
Form / Note Completion
Listen to a conversation or talk and complete the missing information. Tests accuracy and spelling.
Multiple Choice
Choose the correct answer (A, B or C) for short extracts or longer recordings.
📖 Reading
True / False / Not Given
Read a passage and classify statements as True, False, or Not Given. Tests careful reading and inference.
Matching Information
Match statements to the correct section of a text or the correct author. Tests reading for detail.
✍️ Writing
Task 2 - Essay
Opinion, discussion, problem-solution or advantages/disadvantages essay. 250+ words.
Task 1 - Academic (Graph/Chart)
Describe and summarise visual data - bar chart, line graph, table, diagram or map. 150+ words.
🎙️ Speaking
Part 1 - Interview
Answer personal questions about familiar topics. 2–4 sentences per answer. Aim to be natural and fluent.
Part 2 - Long Turn
Speak for 1–2 minutes on a topic card with bullet points. Write what you would say.
Part 3 - Discussion
Answer abstract, opinion-based questions linked to Part 2. Use higher-level language and justify your views.
📅 Study Schedule Tips
3+ monthsDo full mock tests monthly. Focus on weakest sections daily. Build vocabulary systematically.
1–3 monthsAlternate between sections. Do timed practice. Analyse errors carefully. Focus on band descriptors.
2–4 weeksDaily full practice tests. Review all question types. Focus on test strategy and timing.
1 weekLight review only. Don't try to learn new material. Rest well. Know your test centre location.
Your Prompt
0 words
Band Score Descriptors
Score Requirements by Country / Purpose
⚠️
Score requirements change regularly. Always verify with the official organisation or immigration authority before registering for IELTS.