Test Types and Delivery Format

Test Types

The IELTS Test is available in two types:

• Academic Test (AC)
• General Training Test (GT)

Test takers can choose either type according to their educational and professional goals as well as any visa requirements. Both types comprise four separate sections that assess each of the four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking.

IELTS Academic
IELTS Academic measures English language proficiency needed for an academic, higher learning environment. The tasks and texts are accessible to anyone, irrespective of your subject focus. The Academic type is, broadly speaking, for those who want to study or train in a university that teaches in English at undergraduate or postgraduate level, or institutions of higher and further education. Many professions (e.g., medical, nursing, accounting, engineering) also require an Academic test result for registration purposes in many countries.

IELTS General Training
IELTS General Training measures English language proficiency in a practical, everyday context. The tasks and texts reflect both workplace and social situations. The General Training type is typically for those who are going to English-speaking countries to do secondary education, work experience or training programs. This test type is also often a visa requirement if you are planning to migrate to English speaking countries including Australia, the UK, Canada and New Zealand.

See our Test Dates and Locations page for availability.

It is the responsibility of the test taker to ensure they register for the correct type: Academic or General Training. The Test Centres are not responsible for providing this information. The types are not offered at all test administrations. For more information about the test types, download the IELTS Information for Candidates (PDF) here.

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STILL THE SAME IELTS TEST
If you choose to take computer-delivered IELTS, you will take the Listening, Reading and Writing sections using a computer.
All aspects of the test are identical to paper-based IELTS, including:

• Same content and question types
• Timing*
• Speaking test remains face-to-face
• Same marking and Test Report Form

*In the computer-delivered Listening section, the timings are slightly different from the paper-based test. This is because the paper-based test requires users to transfer answers to an answer sheet. This step becomes redundant when answering directly on a computer.

• Before the start of each part of the Listening section, you will have some time to read the questions.
• After the end of each part of the Listening section, you will have some time to review your answers.
• At the end of the Listening section, you will have 2 minutes to check all your answers.

The timing of the Listening section is between 30 – 34 minutes.

If you take the computer-delivered IELTS test you will:

• View your results online within 5-7 days
• Have more test date and test time choices. (Registration will close four days before the test date, subject to availability)
• Use headsets for the Listening section

Computer-Delivered Familiarization Test
Experience Computer-Delivered IELTS. Try our free tests on your own computer, so you know what to expect on test day.
Click here to view the Computer-Delivered Familiarization Test.

Computer-Delivered IELTS Practice Tests
Free Practice Materials will give you an idea of what to expect in the computer-delivered IELTS Test.
Please click the link below for more information.

• Listening Test
• Reading Test
• Writing Test
• Speaking Test

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The Paper-based format IELTS test is available ONLY Saturday mornings and on selected Thursday mornings. There are two types of the IELTS test:  IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Listening and Speaking are the same for both types, but the subject matter of the Reading and Writing sections differs depending on which test type you take.

To familiarize yourself with the test types, you can access free sample practice materials.

The Listening, Reading and Writing sections of all IELTS tests are completed on the same day, with no breaks in between them. On occasion, the Speaking section may be scheduled up to one day before the other sections.

ACADEMIC

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

• Part 1 – a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.
• Part 2 – a monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g., a speech about local facilities.
• Part 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.
• Part 4 – a monologue on an academic subject, e.g., a university lecture.

Reading
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 Reading Test 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.  They have been selected for a non-specialist audience but are appropriate for people entering university courses or seeking professional registration.

Writing
Topics are of general interest to, and suitable for, test takers entering undergraduate and postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration. There are two tasks:

• Task 1 – you will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summaries 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. Responses to both tasks must be in a formal style.

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

• Part 1 – 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.
• Part 2 – 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.
• Part 3 – 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.

GENERAL TRAINING

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

• Part 1 – a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.
• Part 2 – a monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g., a speech about local facilities.
• Part 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.
• Part 4 – a monologue on an academic subject, e.g., a university lecture.

Reading
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 General Training test includes extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment.

Writing
Topics are of general interest. There are two tasks:

• Task 1 – 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. The essay can be fairly personal in style.

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

• Part 1 – 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.
• Part 2 – 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.
• Part 3 – 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.

Paper-based practice materials
Free Practice Materials will give you an idea of what to expect in the paper based IELTS Test.  Click the link below for more information.

• Listening Test
• Academic Reading Test
• General Training Reading Test
• Academic Writing Test
• General Training Writing Test
• Speaking Test

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