Frequently Asked Questions
Should I take the Academic or the General Training module?
The Academic module is ideal if you want to study at undergraduate/postgraduate level or for professional registration. The General Training module is normally taken by those who want to migrate to an English-speaking country or study at below degree level. If you’re still unsure, we advise you to check with the institution you’re applying to.
Does IELTS include American English?
IELTS is an international English test that covers all major varieties of English (American, Australian, British).
What topics are covered in IELTS?
A wide range of topics are covered and they are relevant and accessible to those wanting to study at university level. No specialist knowledge is required.
listening
Is the Listening paper different for Academic and General Training?
No. All candidates take the same paper.
What information will I get before each section?
At the beginning of each section, you will hear a short description of the situation you are about to listen to. This may give information about who the speakers are, where they are and what the general topic is. This description is not written on the question paper, so it is important to listen to it carefully.
Will I have time to look at the questions before I listen?
Yes. There is time to look at the questions before each set of questions. The voice on the recording will tell you which questions to look at.
Will there be an example at the beginning?
Yes. An example is given at the beginning of Section 1. The recording relating to the example is played twice.
How many times do I hear the recording?
You will hear each recording ONCE only (other than in the example at the beginning).
Are the questions in the same order as the information in the recording?
Yes. This is true for all question types in IELTS Listening.
Will there be a pause during the recording?
There is a pause between each of the sections. Also, there is one break during Sections 1, 2 and 3, to allow you time to look at the following questions. However, there is NOT a break in Section 4.
Will I have time to check my answers at the end of each section?
Yes.
What accents do the speakers have on the recordings?
You will hear a range of English native-speaker accents on the recordings (for example, Australian, British, New Zealand and North American speakers).
When the instructions say that I should answer in, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS’, will I lose marks if I write an answer with more than three words?
Yes. Answers which are over the word limit will be marked as incorrect.
Do answers in IELTS Listening have to be correctly spelled?
Yes. You will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar. However, words which you have to write will usually be common words. Both UK and US spellings are accepted. When you hear the name of a person, place, company, etc., in the recording, it may be spelled out.
Reading
How do I record my answers?
You must put all of your answers on an answer sheet during the 60 minutes allowed. You may write your answers on the question paper first, if you like, but the examiner will not read these. No extra time is allowed to copy answers to the answer sheet.
When the instructions say that I should answer in, for example, ‘NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS’, will I lose marks if I write an answer with more than three words?
Yes. Answers which are over the word limit will be marked as incorrect.
Will I lose marks for spelling and grammar mistakes in my answers?
All the words you will need in order to answer the questions will be given in the text. Remember to transfer your answers to the answer sheet with care. You will lose marks for poor spelling and grammar.
How long should I spend on each text?
You have 60 minutes to read three texts and answer 40 questions. You should spend about 20 minutes on each text. Make sure that you do not waste time worrying about questions you can’t answer – use your time sensibly to read what you can and answer as many questions as possible.
Writing
Where do I write my answers?
Write your answers on the Writing answer sheet. You will not get any paper for making notes, but you may write notes on the question paper. The examiner will not see these.
Can I write in pen or pencil?
You can write in pen or pencil, but you must write clearly. You may erase/cross out and change parts of your writing, but you must make sure that your work is easy to read.
Should I write my answers in upper case (capitals) or lower case?
You will not automatically be penalised if all your letters are capitals. However, remember that punctuation is assessed in the Writing test and you may be penalised if it is not clear to the examiner where your sentences begin and end.
Will I be penalised if I don’t write enough words?
Yes. You must write at least 150 words for the Task 1 question and 250 words for the Task 2 question. If you don’t write enough words, you will be penalised.
If I make notes, will the examiner read them?
No. You will not get any paper for making notes, but you may write notes on the question paper. The examiner will not see this.
Are the two tasks both worth the same number of marks?
No. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.
How long should I spend on each task?
You have 1 hour to write your answers for the two tasks. It is your choice how you divide this time. However, remember that Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score – so you may wish to spend 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2. You should plan your work carefully before writing, and you should allow time to check your writing after completing a task or at the end of the test.
Do I need to write a separate introduction and conclusion for Academic Writing Task 1?
In Task 1, you need to describe the visual information and present this information in an organised, coherent way. Therefore, you need to write an introduction, although this can be very short. Also, a short summary of the main trends or features is a good way to finish. Remember that you do not need to guess about the reasons for things in Task 1. (For example, do not write I think this is probably because …)
Will I be penalised if I do not write a formal introduction and conclusion for Academic Writing Task 2?
There is no separate assessment for introductions and conclusions. However, if you do not write an introduction and conclusion, you may be penalised under ‘Task response’ and/or ‘Coherence and cohesion’.
Speaking
What can I take into the test room?
You can only take your identity document. The examiner will give you everything you need in the test.
Why is the IELTS Speaking test recorded?
The recording is needed in case your performance needs to be re-marked.
Is it a good idea to learn short speeches about my town or job by heart?
No, you should listen carefully to the examiner and just respond to the questions. If you say something you have memorised, you probably won’t answer the examiner’s question exactly.
What if I don’t know anything about the topic in Part 2?
The topics are carefully chosen to reflect common experiences, so you don’t need special knowledge to talk about them.
Can I start speaking before the 1-minute preparation time is over in Part 2?
Yes. If you don’t need the whole minute, you can begin speaking when you are ready. However, it is a good idea to use all of the preparation time.
Do I have to write notes in Part 2?
No, making notes is just an option. Some candidates prefer just to think about what to say, whereas others find that making notes helps them to organise their ideas and to keep talking.
How long should I talk for in Part 2?
You will have the opportunity to talk for 2 minutes. You should try to talk for the full 2 minutes to give the examiner a good sample of your English.
What should I do if I don’t understand a question or the Part 2 task?
You should tell the examiner that you don’t understand. In Parts 1 and 3, the examiner will be able to repeat the question. In Part 2 you should look carefully at the task card because you may be able to guess the meaning of a word you have not understood. In Part 3, the examiner will be able to ask the question in a different way, or may be able to help you to understand the question.
Will the examiner tell me if I have done well or not?
No, the examiner is not allowed to give feedback, and you should not ask them to do so.
Do I have to use Academic English in the IELTS Speaking test too?
This question sometimes causes confusion. In the Speaking test, you should use the most advanced vocabulary you can, and give structured answers. However, you do not need to ‘speak like an essay’ or use formal words such as ‘nevertheless’ or ‘moreover.’