30 minutes (Recording) + 10 minutes (Transferring the answers) – 40 questions – 40 Marks

You will listen to four recordings of native English speakers and then write your answers to a series of questions.

• Section 1 – A conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.
• Section 2 – A monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities.
• Section 3 – A conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context, e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment.
• Section 4 – A monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture.

60 minutes – 40 questions – 40 Marks

The Reading section consists of 40 questions, designed to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognizing writers’ opinions, attitudes and purpose.

IELTS Academic test – This includes three long texts which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. These are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers.
IELTS General Training test – This includes extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines.

60 minutes – 2 tasks

Test format – Academic Writing – Graph + Essay

• Task 1 – You will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.
• Task 2 – You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

Test format – General Training Writing – Letter + Essay

• Task1 – You will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information, or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
• Task 2 – You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

11-14 minutes

The speaking section assesses your use of spoken English. Every test is recorded.

• Part 1 INTRODUCTION – The examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes.
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• Part 2 CUE CARD – You will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic.
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• Part 3 FOLLOW-UP – You will be asked further questions about the topic in Part 2. These will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts between four and five minutes.