The IELTS Academic examination is designed to evaluate your English language proficiency, focusing particularly on the skills necessary for undergraduate and postgraduate study. Investigate which academic institutions recognize IELTS scores and the specific scores they require for admission into their degree programs.

This test incorporates vocabulary typically found in an academic environment and might also be needed for registration with certain professional organizations.

You have the option to take the test at our designated centers, either on paper or on a computer. An online test option may be available as well. Learn more about the different methods available for taking the IELTS test.

The IELTS Academic exam consists of four parts: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Further details about each section can be found below.

Listening
The listening section is divided into four parts, each containing ten questions. The sequence of questions matches the order of information presented in the recordings, ensuring the answer to one question precedes the answer to the next.

The first two parts focus on everyday, social contexts. In Part 1, there’s a dialogue between two individuals (for instance, discussing travel plans), while Part 2 features a monologue (such as a talk about community amenities).

Parts 3 and 4 revolve around educational and training contexts. Part 3 includes a dialogue between two key speakers (like a conversation between university students, potentially facilitated by an instructor), and Part 4 consists of a monologue on an academic topic.

Listeners will have one opportunity to hear each recording, which may feature a variety of accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand, and North American.

Answers must be transferred to an answer sheet within 10 minutes at the conclusion of the listening portion. Attention to spelling and grammar is crucial as errors will result in a loss of marks.

Summary
– Duration: About 30 minutes, with an additional 10 minutes for transferring answers to an answer sheet
– Parts: 4
– Questions: 40
– Scoring: Each correct answer earns 1 mark, with the final score presented as a band score, either whole or half (e.g., 5.5 or 7.0).

Academic Reading
The reading texts are sourced from a variety of publications like books, journals, magazines, newspapers, and online materials, aimed at a general audience. The content is suitable for students at the undergraduate or postgraduate levels, covering a wide range of topics. Texts vary in style, including narrative, descriptive, or discursive/argumentative, and at least one will feature a detailed logical argument. Diagrams, graphs, or illustrations may accompany texts, and technical terms, if used, are explained with simple dictionary definitions.

Like the listening section, answers must be transferred to an answer sheet within the allotted time for the reading test, with no additional time provided for transfer. Accuracy in spelling and grammar is essential to avoid losing marks.

Summary
– Duration: 60 minutes (includes time for transferring answers)
– Sections: 3, with a total text length of 2150–2750 words
– Questions: 40
– Scoring: Each correct answer earns 1 mark, with final scores ranging from 1–9 in whole or half bands (e.g., 4 or 6.5).

Academic Writing
This section comprises two tasks, both of which must be completed. Task 1 requires describing visual information (like a graph, table, chart, or diagram) in a minimum of 150 words within 20 minutes. Task 2 involves discussing a viewpoint, argument, or problem in a minimum of 250 words within 40 minutes.

Responses must be in full sentences, not in note form or bullet points, and written on the answer sheet. Notes can be made on the question paper but will not be evaluated.

Summary
– Duration: 60 minutes
– Tasks: 2
– Scoring: Task 2 accounts for twice as much of the writing score as Task 1.

Speaking
The speaking test is an in-person interview with an examiner and is recorded. It consists of three parts, each designed to assess different aspects of your speaking ability.

Part 1 involves questions about yourself and familiar topics like home, family, or interests. Part 2 requires speaking on a given topic for up to two minutes, following a minute of preparation, and then answering follow-up questions. Part 3 delves deeper into the topic with more detailed questions.

Summary
– Duration: 11–14 minutes
– Parts: 3