What the IELTS test contains

There are two different formats of the test IELTS ( What is the IELTS test? ). Both assess your English proficiency in the four skills of writing, speaking, and listening. However, some tests differ depending on the format chosen.

IELTS Academic: 2 hours 45 minutes on average

• Part One: Listening - 30 minutes.
  There are four different recordings (dialogue, monologue, business dialogue, etc.) with comprehension questions each time. We assess your ability to retain key information and the opinions of different people.
• Part Two: Reading - 60 min.
  Three texts are taken from books, newspapers, essays, etc. These texts do not require any specific knowledge. 40 questions assess your understanding (author's opinion, arguments, purpose of the text, etc.).
• Part Three: Writing - 60 min.
  2 instructions to follow:
  • You are presented with a diagram, a graph, a table with data... You must synthesize and express the information contained in your own words.
  • You must write an essay in response to a question, a point of view, or an argument. The style must be formal (no loose English).
  
  
• Part Four: Speaking - 11 to 15 minutes.
  An examiner will discuss with you. 3 parts:
  • Personal questions. You will need to talk about your family, where you live, your interests, etc. 4-5 minutes.
  • You are given a specific topic. 1 minute of preparation, 2 minutes of practice, and 2 questions from the examiner on the same topic.
  • The examiner will ask you to revisit the topic you previously discussed. You have 5 minutes to develop your ideas further.

IELTS General Training: 2 hours 45 minutes on average

The Listening and Speaking sections are identical. The only changes are:

• The second part: Reading - 60 min.
  There are also 40 questions, but the texts can be more numerous than three and are more varied.
• Part Three: Writing - 60 min.
  2 instructions to follow:
  • You are faced with a situation. You must write a letter explaining the situation, in a formal or informal style (this will be specified).
  • You must write an essay in response to a question, point of view or argument.