Overview – IELTS Listening Test

The IELTS Listening Test is the same for the Academic and General Training modules (the modules are only different for the reading and writing parts of the test. Candidates have to listen to English speech spoken in a social or academic context and answer a series of questions. The audio is played only once so you have to practice sufficiently beforehand to pick up what’s being said the first time around.

Listen carefully, I will say this only once...

The listening test is divided into four sections with 10 questions in each part (a total of 40 questions). The listening test lasts for about 30 minutes plus candidates will get an extra 10 minutes at the end to transfer their answers to the answer sheet.

Candidates will hear a number of recorded conversations and dialogues and each of the four sections of the IELTS Listening Test will focus on a different type of speech:

• Section 1 – A social or transactional dialogue – a conversation between 2 people and the conversation is divided into 2 parts (10 questions)

• Section 2 – a monologue (one person speaking) about a general topic divided into 2 parts (10 questions)

• Section 3 – A conversation in an academic context between 2, 3 or 4 people divided into 2 parts (10 questions)

•  Section 4 – An academic lecture divided into 2 parts (10 questions)

Every listening test has 40 questions and each question is worth one point; the number of correct answers a candidate needs to get a particular band score is based on the number of correct answers:

• 16 to 22 (out of 40) = band 5
• 23 to 29 (out of 40) = band 6
• 30 to 34 (out of 40) = band 7
• 35 to 38 (out of 40) = band 8
• 39 or 40 (out of 40) = band 9

It is however important to note that the scores (above) are averages and overall band score can vary from week to week depending on how difficult (or easy) a particular test paper is.

The listening test measures how well candidates can listen for main ideas, specific information, supporting information, facts and opinions.

A variety of question types will be used:

• Classification
• Matching
• Multiple choice
• Notes/diagram/flow chart completion
• Short answer
• Sentence completion

 The variety of question types means that candidates sometimes need to write an answer as opposed to just simply making a choice of the right answer from a list of options. For this type of question (one that is not a multiple choice question), correct spelling is important and if candidates get the spelling wrong, the answer will be marked incorrect. Even a small error can mean that a candidate loses marks: e.g.  if the answer to a question is "lessons"; and you instead write "lesson", this answer  can be marked as being a wrong answer. Candidates have to make sure they spell answers correctly and also include the correct (required) information. If the answer is "free English lessons" and they write only "free lessons", they may lose a valuable mark.

The accents of the speakers on the audio are from a variety of different countries (they are not only British); some accents (for example Australian) can be difficult to understand for some candidates who might be more used to North American accents. While some American accents might be used, do be prepared for there to be a variety used (remember the test is created by IDP who are Australian, the British Council and the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate so there is a definite British connection!); the exam partners will do their best to ensure that a variety of accents are used to represent the international nature of today’s English. If is however a good idea to make sure that candidates know the most common differences between British and American vocabulary!

One very important point is that when the listening part of the test ends (the audio conversations and speaking), candidates are given ten extra minutes to transfer their answers from the IELTS Question Booklet to the answer sheet. Please make sure that you transfer you answers to the correct numbers on the answer sheet and that in this time you make sure you put an answer for every single question.

Some General Tips:

At the beginning the IELTS Test there is a short (two and a half minute) introduction. Use this time to read through the test booklet to get a general understanding of what the sections are going to be about.

After each section, candidates are given one minute to check their answers but it is no possible to check any answers without hearing the audio again!  Use this time to read ahead and get an idea of what the next set of questions is going to be about.

The questions follow the oral text (the Answers you are looking for will be answered  in chronological order); this makes it easier for candidates to focus on the current question and to know if they have been left behind (the speakers might have gone on to provide the answer to subsequent  questions)

Try to read two questions at a time and keep in mind what all the questions for the section you are listening to are – you might find that the answers to several questions occur in a single sentence.

If you don’t catch the answer to a question, go onto the next question;  you will only hear the audio once. The answer might be repeated later on anyway.  If not, then you can come back in the final tern minutes after the audio is finished and take a good guess.

If you get totally lost, wait until the other candidates turn their pages so that you can find out where you are in the questions.