The IELTS Academic test at a glance
Who takes IELTS Academic
- IELTS Academic is for people who want to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
- It is also used for professional registration, for example by doctors and nurses.
- It tests four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
- You can take it at a test centre or online.
Listening and Reading
- Listening takes about 30 minutes: 4 parts, 10 questions each, 40 questions.
- Parts 1 and 2 are everyday situations: a conversation, then one speaker.
- Parts 3 and 4 are study situations: a conversation, then a talk.
- Reading takes 60 minutes, including the time to transfer answers: 3 sections, 40 questions.
Practice
How many questions are in the IELTS Listening test?
Listening has 4 parts with 10 questions each: 40 questions.
Writing
- Writing takes 60 minutes and has two tasks.
- Task 1: describe a graph, table, chart or diagram in your own words. At least 150 words, about 20 minutes.
- Task 2: discuss a point of view, an argument or a problem. At least 250 words, about 40 minutes.
- Task 2 is worth two thirds of the Writing mark, so never let Task 1 eat its time.
Practice
Complete: Writing Task 2 needs at least ___ words.
Task 1 needs at least 150 words, Task 2 at least 250.
Practice
Which Writing task counts for more of your Writing score?
Task 2 is worth two thirds of the Writing mark, Task 1 one third. Give Task 2 its full 40 minutes.
Speaking
- Speaking takes 11 to 14 minutes and is a face-to-face interview with an examiner.
- Part 1: questions about yourself and your family.
- Part 2: you speak about a topic.
- Part 3: a longer discussion about that topic.
Practice
The Speaking test is a face-to-face interview with an examiner.
Yes: a real examiner asks the questions in all three parts.
Scores and timing
- In Listening and Reading, each correct answer earns 1 mark; your score out of 40 becomes a band.
- Bands run from 0 to 9 in whole and half steps, for example 5.5 or 7.0.
- The whole test takes about 2 hours 45 minutes.
- Sources, checked on 13 September 2026: IELTS Academic test, Listening format, Reading format, Writing format, Scoring in detail.
Practice
Match each section to its time.
Reading and Writing are 60 minutes each; Speaking is the shortest part.