IELTS Exam Practice 2023
International English Language Testing System

What is IELTS?

The IELTS or the International English Language Testing System is a standardized examination of English-language proficiency taken by non-native English speakers. IELTS has been administered for around 25 years and is spearheaded by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the Cambridge English Learning Assessment.

The IELTS is designed to measure English-language proficiency for individuals who are planning to study or work in an English-speaking country or work environment. The test is also intended to treat all standard varieties of the English language as equally valid, including British, Australian, New Zealand, and North American English.

There are two versions of the IELTS that people can take: The Academic version and the General Training version. To provide you with an initial idea regarding each of their specifics, please refer to the information below:

IELTS Academic Version

The Academic version is taken by people who are applying for admission to a college, university, or professional registration. 

 

IELTS General Training Version

The General Training version is designed for people who are immigrating to the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. This version of the IELTS can also be used by individuals who are seeking for secondary school admission and direct employment.

The IELTS is more commonly used overseas, specifically in the United Kingdom. In the United States, the IELTS is accepted by over 3,000 institutions, including colleges and universities that enroll a huge number of international students.

The number of IELTS examinees is steadily increasing in recent years. In fact, there are close to 3 million individuals who are taking the IELTS exam every year. Eighty percent of the IELTS test is made up of examinees who plan to take the Academic version. On the other hand, the remaining percentage is composed of the General Training version test-takers.

 

Take the IELTS Practice Test Online!

IELTS Test Structure and Format

Both the Academic and General Training versions of the IELTS have four sections: 1.) Listening, 2.) Speaking, 3.) Reading, and 4.) Writing. The test materials for the Reading and Writing differ in both versions, while the Listening and Speaking sections are the same.

To provide you with a quick overview of the exam format, please refer to the chart presented below:

IELTS Test Structure and Format
SectionsDescription
Listening

The Listening section of the IELTS lasts 30 minutes. Test-takers will be asked to listen to 4 different recordings of native English speakers. Each clip will be followed by a series of 10 questions. Test-takers are recommended to take notes while listening and are also given an additional 10 minutes to transfer noted answers unto the answer sheet.

There are 6 types of questions that examinees will encounter in the Listening section of the IELTS:

  1. Multiple-choice questions
  2. Matching questions
  3. Plan, map, diagram labeling
  4. Form, note, table, flow-chart, summary completion
  5. Sentence completion
  6. Short-answer

Note: Proper spelling and grammar are expected on the answer sheet. Any misspelled words or grammatical errors will be penalized.

Speaking

The Speaking section of the IELTS evaluates an examinee’s ability to communicate in English effectively. This section can only last up to 11-14 minutes in total. The test consists of a recorded oral interview between the exam administrator and the examinee.

The IELTS Speaking section is broken down into 3 subsections:

  1. Introduction and Interview
  2. Individual Long Turn
  3. Discussion

The examinee will be evaluated by the test administrator in this following criteria:

  • Fluency and coherence
  • Lexical resource
  • Grammatical range and accuracy
  • Pronunciation

Note: IELTS examinees are advised to improve their time management skills, as this is vital in the Speaking section of the test.

Reading

The Reading section of the IELTS can last up to 60 minutes. This section contains 3 subcategories with a total of 40 questions. In the Academic version of the test, each subcategory consists of one long passage (about 2,150-2,750 words).

The passages are being taken from various academic books. In the General Training version, passages are shorter and the passages are pulled out from everyday life reading materials.

The Reading section is designed to allow test-takers to demonstrate their ability to comprehend texts effectively. Both versions will feature the following types of questions:

  1. Multiple-choice questions
  2. Identifying information
  3. Identifying a writer’s views/claims
  4. Matching information
  5. Matching headings
  6. Matching features
  7. Sentence completion
  8. Summary, note, table, flow-chart completion
  9. Diagram label completion
  10. Short-answer
Writing

The Writing section of the IELTS can last up to 60 minutes.  The section is made up of 2 different tasks.

Each written response are assessed based on the following criteria:

  • Task achievement/response
  • Coherence and cohesion
  • Lexical resource
  • Grammatical range and accuracy

IELTS Test Scoring System

The IELTS scoring system is pretty easy to understand. The scores are reported in 9 bands ranging from 1 to 9. An IELTS score of 1 indicates that an examinee has no ability to use the English Language aside from a few isolated words. A score of 9 indicates that a test taker is an expert user of the English language.

Test-takers will receive a band score in each of the 4 sections. Each of the sections is individually scored based on their given criteria. On one hand, the Listening and Reading sections are scored according to the total number of correct answers a test taker gets out of the 40 questions. On the other hand, the Writing and Speaking sections are scored by test administrators based on their respective criteria.

 

IELTS Registration

Contrary to the popular belief, registering for the IELTS is a quick and easy process. To walk you through the process, please refer to the steps below:

Step 1: Find the nearest IELTS test location in your area. There are more than 1,600 IELTS test centers and locations in over 140 countries.

*Find yours here www.ielts.org/book-a-test/find-a-test-location 

Step 2: Register for the IELTS test. You have the option to opt-in an online registration or submit an application form to your local test center.

*Download the application form here: www.ielts.org/-/media/pdfs/application-form.ashx?la=en 

Step 3: Confirm if the IELTS is successfully booked.

Once your application has been completed, the center will then send you a written confirmation containing the IELTS test dates and time. Take note that the Speaking and Writing sections of the IELTS are typically administered on the same day.

*You may contact your local IELTS test center for a copy of the candidates’ booklet or download it here: www.ielts.org/-/media/publications/information-for-candidates/ielts-information-for-candidates-english-uk.ashx?la=en

Important Note: The IELTS may have a specific website intended for each country (e.g. IELTS Canada, IELTS USA, IELTS Australia, etc.)


IELTS Exam Sample PDF

Understanding the test format, how it is graded, and establishing a plan to get your goal score are all part of IELTS preparation. It is critical to prepare for the IELTS test to have the highest chance of succeeding. We’ve put together the resources below to help you prepare for your test and understand what to expect. Practicing sample questions can help you become more comfortable with the test’s format. If you’re seeking a free IELTS preparation PDF and IELTS general training reading questions and answers PDF, you’ve come to the right place. We suggest that you take an IELTS practice test 1 and IELTS practice test 2. If you’re looking for IELTS academic reading test samples with answers PDF or IELTS academic essays from past exams PDF, you can find them online. We provide you with the opportunity to take an IELTS test online 1 and IELTS test online 2, which will give you an idea of what to expect on the exam.

 

IELTS Questions and Answers

Is a standardized examination of English-language proficiency taken by non-native English speakers. IELTS has been administered for around 25 years and is spearheaded by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the Cambridge English Learning Assessment.

Is a test that assesses all four aspects of language: hearing, reading, writing, and speaking.

Familiarize yourself with the test format: Learning the test format is the first step toward IELTS preparation. When you understand the exam style, you’ll know what to expect in each part, making it easier to answer your questions.

If you get an overall band score of 7 or higher on the IELTS, your results are termed “good.”

Both the IELTS and the TOEFL are fundamental English proficiency assessments. The majority of test takers believe that IELTS is easier than TOEFL. Many students assume that the reading component of the IELTS is easier than the reading section of the TOEFL.

If you received a good score, you can send your results to the universities of your choice by following the steps outlined below.

  • Choose universities – You can always request a maximum of five more TRFs to deliver the scores to the universities. And these TRFs will be given to the colleges or universities for free, so you won’t have to spend any extra money.
  • Request IELTS score sending – You have two options for requesting your score. You can request score sending either during the registration procedure or after you receive your results.
  • Choose the delivery method – After you’ve requested the additional TRFs, you’ll need to decide whether you want them sent electronically or on paper. However, before you choose a method, make sure you check the institution’s website to see what kind of delivery methods they accept.

IELTS stand for International English Language Testing System

Before taking the IELTS test, you can cancel your registration. By notifying your test center. The terms of your refund will be determined by the date you submitted your request. Whether there are any exceptional circumstances.

For a period of 28 days after the test date, the IELTS Result System will not display results.

If you want to cancel or postpone your IELTS test, you must do so at least 5 weeks before the scheduled date. This request can only be made in person or via email.

Yes, in the IELTS listening section, you can use capital letters, small letters, or a combination of the two.

In most circumstances, an electronic score report specifies how to deliver IELTS scores to universities. You do not need to deliver the score yourself in this scenario; simply ask the examination facility to do so on your behalf, providing the institute code.

The IELTS Academic test consists of three long texts ranging from descriptive and factual to argumentative and analytical in nature. These quotations are from books, journals, periodicals, and newspapers.

The IELTS Exam is not difficult. It is the world’s leading exam of English language competency. It evaluates your listening, reading, writing, and speaking abilities in less than 3 hour.

It takes roughly 3 months of full-time study (in a multilingual class, 25 hours a week with professional IELTS teachers, living in a host family) for students to improve their IELTS score by 0.5 in all four areas when they come to study in the UK (Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking).

The results of the IELTS test are published 13 days after the test.

IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are divided into five categories: agree/disagree, advantages/disadvantages, two-part, cause/solution, and discuss both sides

In Nigeria, IELTS costs between N75,000 and N80,000.

Any applicant who has decided to take the exam should spend at least one to two days learning about the exam format and subjects. Candidates should set aside at least 14-21 days for each component of the test once they have a good understanding of the format.

To become an exam invigilator, you don’t need any prior experience because all training is provided. Exam invigilators are only needed during exam seasons, which are typically January, May, and June; however, exams can occur at any time within these months. In most cases, you will be needed to work for 3 hours at a time.

To find a test center in or near Myanmar and to check for forthcoming test dates at your test center, go to IELTS test locations. 13 days after your test date, your results will be available online. You have the option of receiving your Test Report Form via mail or picking it up at the Test Center.

Your IELTS results will be available online 13 days following the test date. Enter your Test Date, Date of Birth, Passport/ ID Number, and Candidate Number in the IELTS Results service and click the Find button.

One or two graphs will be given to you in Task 1 of the IELTS Academic Writing exam. This could be a line graph, a pie chart, or a bar chart. Your assignment is to write a minimum of 150 words summarizing and describing the information represented in the graph in academic, formal language.

The TRF number can be found on the unofficial result and test report form on the internet. It should be noted, however, that this cannot be utilized in an official capacity. Candidates must contact the authorities in order to send official test reports.

Each of the four sections of the test must have a specific band in order to get IELTS band 7, as the total band is determined by the average band of all four sections. If you fail to meet in any of the sections, it will show up in the overall band, and you may not get the band you want. To acquire a band score over 7.5, you must get sub-scores between 7.0 and 7.5 or higher.

Many UK universities may admit foreign students with good English grades in their senior years (10th and 12th grades). Maintaining a score of over 60% throughout your senior years is recommended to be approved without IELTS.

They can receive a student visa without taking the IELTS if they study in an English-medium school and earn an English-language bachelor’s degree. You can receive a Canadian student visa without IELTS if you can show that you have completed the course and are skilled in the language.

To effectively manage your time and improve your score, you must improve both skills. Anyone studying a language should strive for a large vocabulary. At bands 7 and 8, IELTS requires you to show a broad vocabulary in all aspects of the test.

The most efficient way to improve your IELTS Listening score is to practice a mock test every day.

You may improve your IELTS speaking by practicing often, strengthening your pronunciation and vocabulary for speaking, and, of course, seeking professional assistance from an IELTS teacher.

You’ve now taken a seat in front of the examiner. It’s time to start speaking after the greetings. Keep in mind that you are there to interview, not to interview. As a result, you are not permitted to ask.

  • You can begin as: Hi am (your name)
  • Giving information – Tell something about yourself
  • Use simple word – It is suggested that simple words be used.
  • Speak in your natural tone – Your voice should have a natural tone to it. It’s supposed to sound like you.

To make a complex sentence, two or three ideas must be combined into a single statement. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways:

  • Creating compound sentences with conjunctions
  • Using adjective clauses (also called relative clauses)
  • Using noun clauses

The ideal preparation for IELTS Speaking is to listen a lot and then practice speaking as much as possible with good speakers. Fluency, Vocabulary, Grammar, and Pronunciation are the four areas of speaking that are assessed. As a result, when preparing for IELTS Speaking, concentrate on strengthening all of these areas.

You must first create an account with the British Council or IDP in order to register for the IELTS exam online. Set up your own account on the IELTS website (make sure it’s the authentic one).

You must be familiar with different accents such as Australian English, Scottish English, American English, and Irish English if you wish to do well in the IELTS hearing section. You can hear and comprehend the differences in their speech by watching or listening to BBC news programs or American TV shows.

Write a letter to a buddy about a vacation you took recently.

  • You must address your friend with proper punctuation, such as this: Dear Jessy
  • You must plan your letter so that it is intriguing and draws the attention of your readers/friends.
  • Using idioms and adding a sense of humor is a fantastic idea.

You can rephrase your thesis statement for the first sentence of the IELTS essay conclusion; remember to use a term to indicate that it is a conclusion.

For the most part, IELTS General Training is less difficult than IELTS Academic.

No, not in every situation. In some circumstances, passing several English language examinations may be required to demonstrate one’s level of proficiency.

In foreign countries, a IELTS score is required to demonstrate your fluency in the language. The English language is an example of this. Yes, if you’re travelling to Australia on a work visa. You must demonstrate your ability to communicate with locals.

Yes, IELTS UKVI for Canada Immigration IELTS UKVI is recognized for UK visas or UKVI. and an IELTS 4.0 band score would be necessary for this. This is a good IELTS score. IELTS score for Canada comparable to Bi level on CEFR scale.

The IELTS Academic test is for students who want to study English as a foreign language, whereas the IELTS General Training test is for persons who need basic English skills for work or migration.

The distinction between the Academic and General Training IELTS Writing and Reading examinations is that the General Training test includes themes of general interest such as newspapers, advertising, and notices. Academic test topics, such as journals, are better suited to university studies or professional institutions.

The Identification Document number is the same as the one you used on exam day. The ID number is usually the candidate’s passport number or the ID number of any other document they brought on exam day.

The 40 questions in the IELTS Reading test are based on three long passages. The candidate’s language skills are assessed in four fundamental sections by IELTS. The IELTS Academic and General Training syllabuses are separate, with the former emphasizing reading from academic extracts and the latter emphasizing work-related material.

IELTS is a paper-based test, while PTE is a computer-based test (CBT) (PBT). Computerized verbal examinations, as well as a face-to-face chat with an examiner, are used.

The IELTS course takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete.

The Academic and General Training versions of the test, as well as the paper and computer-based versions, are all the same fee. The cost of taking the IELTS exam will always be around $300.

A 13-digit number that begins with your country code is your reference number (CZ).

If you’re applying for a permanent residence visa in Canada under the rapid entry program, there are a few things you should keep in mind. For Canada PR Express, the needed (minimum) IELTS score should be 6 in each band. In IELTS, that equals a CLB level of 7.

You cannot use slang or anything overly informal; only plain spoken English is permitted.

The IELTS Speaking test is divided into three parts, each of which has a strict time limit. You will speak for 11 to 14 minutes in total.

Candidates for the IELTS exam can take their test on any of the 48 available days. There is no limit to how many times you can take a test.

The capital of the Philippines, Manila, has one British Council exam center.

Bijou is an official IELTS  preparation center. The innovative methodology used here assists students in identifying their areas of weakness and determining where they should begin their preparations.

Neither of the tests is more difficult than the other. They are both hard and necessitate the development of core skills as well as understanding of the test format.

It’s actually fairly usual to use the present simple tense for IELTS Task 2 Essay (Academic and General Training). Because you’ll be writing about broad facts and truths as well as expressing your ideas, you’ll want to use the present tense.

You should be aware that the best IELTS score required for Canadian PR is 10 bands with 32-34 CRS points. In reality, a 6 band IELTS score is required for permanent residency in Canada and will also qualify you for PNPs.

You must take IELTS if you wish to travel abroad for a short period of time or migrate with your family for the rest of your lives. It will assist you in securing admission to renowned colleges and training institutions, as well as citizenship in the nation to which you wish to migrate.

Yes, you can apply for Canada without having taken the IELTS exam.

If international, non-native English-speaking students choose to apply for the English program, they must demonstrate their ability in the English language. Many German colleges are now allowing applications without the IELTS if you can demonstrate your English proficiency through other means.

The most common test for satisfying the English language criteria for a UK spouse visa is IELTS Life Skills. The IELTS Life Skills test is designed to satisfy the needs of certain immigration programs.

IELTS Test Prep Guide

Preparation is one of the most significant parts of every examination. It can either make or break your chance of getting a good score on the test. Just like any exam, the IELTS test requires effective preparation.

To guide you in your preparation, we’ve gathered several practices that can help you prepare for the IELTS more efficiently:

#1 Know the Exam

If you have a good understanding of the test, you will surely obtain an effective preparation strategy. Learning the format, understanding the types of questions, and becoming aware of the exam duration is just a few of the many aspects that can help you know the IELTS exam better.

#2 Test What You Learned

Preparing for the IELTS is not only limited to reading books and study guides. You also have to test what you have learned during your preparation. This is the very reason why practice test materials have been developed. You have to study and practice; you can’t do just one. Always keep in mind that effective preparation involves knowledge consumption and proper application of learning.

#3 Organize Your Preparation

One of the best ways to make your preparation effective is to keep everything organized. Organizing your IELTS prep involves proper scheduling of your study time, taking breaks, and time for leisure. Creating a calendar for your preparation can help you keep track of the lessons you still need to cover or have already covered. Compared to a disorganized study plan, a well-organized preparation can provide you with more benefits.

#4 Improve Your Vocabulary

Since the IELTS is an English-proficiency test, enhancing your vocabulary can greatly help you when you take the exam. Based on the criteria we provided earlier, the components on the exam are composed of your overall fluency of the English language. Thus, improving your vocabulary is one of the best ways to increase your chances of getting a good score on the test.