The IELTS Listening test is a 40-question paper in which candidates hear four recordings once only, in the same format for Academic and General Training. It takes approximately 30 minutes, with Parts 1 and 2 set in everyday social situations and Parts 3 and 4 set in educational and training situations. Each correct answer earns 1 mark, and the raw score converts to a band score in whole or half bands, such as 5.5 or 7.0.
The question types, spelling rules and word limits shape how marks are won or lost, and the sections below set out each of them alongside the preparation methods that match how the paper is marked.
How is the Listening test structured?
The Listening paper has four parts with 10 questions in each, giving 40 questions in total, and every recording is played once only. The questions follow the order of the information in the recording, so the answer to question 5 comes before the answer to question 6. Academic and General Training candidates sit the same paper, which means practice material for one route serves the other.
The recordings use British, Australian, New Zealand and North American accents, and the number of questions of each type varies from paper to paper. Practice therefore needs to cover all four accents and every question type before test day. Candidates who have listened to a range of English speakers tend to follow the single hearing more easily.
What does each part of the Listening test contain?
The paper contains four recordings, two set in everyday social situations and two set in educational and training situations.
Parts 1 and 2 draw on daily life, so forms, directions, facilities and announcements are useful material to practise with. Parts 3 and 4 draw on study, so seminar discussions, tutorial conversations and lecture notes prepare you for the vocabulary and the pace of the second half of the paper.
- Part 1: a conversation between two speakers in an everyday social situation.
- Part 2: a talk by one main speaker in an everyday social situation, such as a talk about local facilities.
- In Part 3, a conversation between two main speakers takes place in an educational or training setting, such as students with a tutor.
- The final section, Part 4, is a talk by one speaker on an academic subject.
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Enquire about this tutorHow long is the Listening test on paper and on computer?
The Listening paper lasts approximately 30 minutes of recording time, with 10 minutes added on paper for transferring answers to the answer sheet and 2 minutes added on computer for checking answers. On paper, you write on the question paper as you listen and copy your answers across at the end, so clear handwriting and careful copying matter.
On computer, you type each answer on screen as you hear it, and no extra time is given to transfer answers because there is no answer sheet. A navigation button at the bottom of the screen shows all 40 questions, the Review button marks a question to revisit, and you can edit answers at any time before submitting the test.
Before each recording starts on computer, you get time to read the questions on screen. A volume control sits in the upper right corner of the screen, and headphones are provided at the test centre.
Which question types appear in the Listening test?
The Listening paper uses six question types, and the instructions for each task tell you exactly how to answer.
Multiple choice questions ask you to check how many answers are required, since some ask for one answer and others for several from a longer list. For note and form completion, concentrate on the main points you would naturally write down, and in matching tasks write the correct letter.
- Multiple choice: choose one answer from three options, or more than one from a longer list.
- Matching: match items from the recording to a list of options.
- Plan, map and diagram labelling: label a plan, map, diagram or set of pictures by following descriptions and directions.
- Form, note, table, flow-chart or summary completion: fill gaps in an outline of the recording, either from a list or with words from the recording.
- Sentence completion: complete sentences that summarise key information from all or part of the recording.
- Short-answer questions: write a short answer to each question, with some questions asking for two or three answers.
How do spelling and word limits affect marks?
Misspelt answers are marked as incorrect, and an answer that goes over the stated word limit loses the mark. A typical limit reads NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER, though the limit can change from task to task, so read the instruction for every set of questions.
Contractions such as they're are not tested, and hyphenated words such as check-in count as one word. Answers are taken directly from the recording, so the word you hear is the word you write without changing its form.
When you check your practice papers against the answer key, record each lost mark as a spelling error, a word-limit error or a mishearing. Learning commonly misspelt words and standard place names addresses the first category, and the review time at the end of the paper is the moment to check them.
How should you read ahead during the test?
Use the time before each recording to read the questions, work out what kind of information is needed and mark keywords such as names, dates, numbers and places. Knowing whether a gap needs a number, a place or a noun means your attention is already on the right detail when the speaker reaches it.
Listen for transition phrases that signal a change of topic, because the questions follow the order of the recording. If you miss an answer, move on to the next question, since missing one question does not affect the rest of the test.
Never leave a blank, because only correct answers score and a considered guess costs nothing.
How should you practise for the Listening test?
Practise in an order that builds from single skills to full test conditions, and check each stage against the answer key, because every question carries 1 mark and every error has a traceable cause.
- Start with one question type at a time, using official-style questions, until following instructions and word limits is routine.
- Add keyword marking and prediction in the reading time, then check whether your predictions matched the answers.
- Complete full 40-question papers under timed conditions with a single hearing, followed by the transfer or checking time that matches your delivery format.
- Mark each paper against the key and sort every lost mark into spelling, word limit, mishearing or missed answer, then practise the largest category.
- Listen to podcasts and videos with different English accents, and wear headphones properly during computer practice.
Related guides
- What is IELTS? Format, versions and scoring
- IELTS Speaking Part 3 discussion
- IELTS Speaking topics
- IELTS Reading question types
- Official IELTS practice tests
- IELTS on computer, on paper or online
- How to prepare for IELTS
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Frequently asked questions
- Which accents are used in the IELTS Listening test?
- The recordings use British, Australian, New Zealand and North American accents. Candidates who normally hear only one variety of English can prepare by listening to podcasts and videos with speakers from each of these regions, then working through official-style questions on the same material. Varied listening makes the single hearing in the test easier to follow.
- What happens if an answer is missed during the recording?
- Move on to the next question straight away, because the questions follow the order of the recording and missing one question does not affect the rest of the test. Staying with the missed item risks losing the next answer as well. Leave no question blank, since only correct answers score and a considered guess can still earn the mark.
- Can candidates change their answers on the computer-delivered Listening test?
- Yes, answers can be edited at any time before you submit the test. The Review button in the lower-left corner marks a question for review, changing its number from a square to a circle, and the navigation button shows all 40 questions. A 2-minute review period at the end gives time to check spelling.
- Is it necessary to have headphones to practise for the Listening test?
- Practising with headphones is useful for computer-delivered tests, where headphones are provided at the test centre and a volume control bar sits in the upper right corner of the screen. Wearing them properly during practice, keeping your eyes on the question you are answering, and typing answers directly on screen all make the real conditions familiar.
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