2025

The Listening, Reading and Writing sections of all IELTS tests are completed on the same day, with no breaks in between them.

IELTS General Training Reading in detail

Task type 1 – Multiple choice

Task type 2 – Identifying information

Task type 3 – Identifying writer’s views/claims

Task type 4 – Matching information

Task type 5 – Matching headings

Task type 6 – Matching features

Task type 7 – Matching sentence endings

Task type 8 – Sentence completion

Task type 9 – Summary, note, table, flow-chart completion

Task type 10 – Diagram label completion

Task type 11 – Short-answer questions

IELTS General Training Reading – How it’s marked

The General Training Reading test is marked by certificated markers, who are regularly monitored to ensure reliability. After being marked, all answer sheets, are further analysed by Cambridge Assessment English.

A band score conversion table is produced for each version of the General Training Reading test which translates scores out of 40 into the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole bands and half bands.

Test format – Academic Writing:-

Time: – 60 minutes

• Task 1 – you will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.
• Task 2 – you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Responses to both tasks must be in a formal style.

IELTS Academic Writing Description :-

IELTS Academic Writing in detail :-

Task 1

Task 2

IELTS Academic Writing – How it’s marked

Marking and assessment

Responses are assessed by certificated IELTS examiners. All IELTS examiners hold relevant teaching qualifications and are recruited as examiners by the test centres and approved by the British Council or IDP: IELTS Australia.

Scores are reported in whole and half bands. Detailed performance descriptors have been developed which describe written performance at the nine IELTS bands. These are available on the How IELTS is scored page. They apply to both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training versions and are based on the following criteria.

Task 1 responses are assessed on:

• Task response
• Coherence and cohesion
• Lexical resource
• Grammatical range and accuracy.

Test format – General Training Writing Under IELTS Syllabus 2024 – 2025:-

• Task 1 – you will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information, or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
• Task 2 – you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be fairly personal in style.

IELTS General Training Writing description

IELTS General Training Writing in detail

Task 1

Task 2

Marking and assessment

Writing responses are assessed by certificated IELTS examiners. All IELTS examiners hold relevant teaching qualifications and are recruited as examiners by the test centres and approved by the British Council or IDP: IELTS Australia.

Each task is assessed independently. The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1.Scores are reported in whole and half bands. Detailed performance descriptors have been developed which describe written performance at the nine IELTS bands. They are available on the How IELTS is scored page. The descriptors apply to both the Academic and General Training versions and are based on the following criteria.

• Task achievement
• Coherence and cohesion
• Lexical resource
• Grammatical range and accuracy.

• Task response
• Coherence and cohesion
• Lexical resource
• Grammatical range and accuracy.

Coherence and cohesion This assesses the overall clarity and fluency of the message: how the response organises and links information, ideas and language. Coherence refers to the linking of ideas through logical sequencing. Cohesion refers to the varied and appropriate use of cohesive devices (for example, logical connectors, pronouns and conjunctions) to assist in making the conceptual and referential relationships between and within sentences clear.

Lexical resource This refers to the range of vocabulary the test takers have used and the accuracy and appropriacy of use in terms of the specific task.

Grammatical range and accuracy This refers to the range and accurate use of grammar, as manifested in the test takers’ sentence writing.

Task response In both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training versions, Task 2 requires test takers to formulate and develop a position in relation to a question or statement. Ideas should be supported by evidence, and examples may be drawn from the test takers’ own experience. Responses must be at least 250 words in length. Scripts under the required minimum word limit will be penalised.

Test format – Speaking Under IELTS Syllabus 2024 – 2025 :- 

• Part 1 – the examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes.
• Part 2  – you will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic.
• Part 3 – you will be asked further questions about the topic in Part 2. These will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts between four and five minutes.

IELTS Speaking description:-

IELTS Speaking in detail

Part 1 – Introduction and interview

Part 2 – Long turn

Part 3 – Discussion

Speaking performances are assessed by certificated IELTS examiners. All IELTS examiners hold relevant teaching qualifications and are recruited as examiners by the test centres and approved by the British Council or IDP: IELTS Australia.

Scores are reported in whole and half bands. Detailed performance descriptors have been developed which describe spoken performance at the nine IELTS bands. These are available on the How IELTS is scored page.

Lexical resource This criterion refers to the range of vocabulary used and the precision with which meanings and attitudes can be expressed. The key indicators are the variety of words used, the adequacy and appropriacy of the words used and the ability to circumlocute (get round a vocabulary gap by using other words) with or without noticeable hesitation.

Grammatical range and accuracy This refers to the range and the accurate and appropriate use of the test takers’ grammatical resource. The key indicators of grammatical range are the length and complexity of the spoken sentences, the appropriate use of subordinate clauses, and the range of sentence structures, especially to move elements around for information focus. The key indicators of grammatical accuracy are the number of grammatical errors in a given amount of speech and the communicative effect of error.