IELTS test evaluates candidates' English proficiency across four sections: writing, reading, listening, and speaking. There are two types of IELTS tests: Academic and General Training.

IELTS Academic test is designed for students who want to pursue higher education at overseas institutions where English is the primary language.

IELTS General Training test is for candidates applying to study below degree level or for those seeking employment or training opportunities.

"While the speaking and listening, sections are the same for all candidates, the writing and reading sections differ between the two tests. It's essential to prepare for the correct version of the test."

IELTS Listening Format
In this section, candidates listen to four audio recordings—monologues and conversations—and answer corresponding questions. The goal is to assess listening skills through a variety of English-speaking accents. Candidates can only hear each section once and must answer 40 questions within 30 minutes. Question formats include multiple-choice, short answers, map or diagram labeling, flow charts, summary creation, and sentence completion.

The IELTS listening test is divided into four sections:

Section: A conversation between two people in a social context.

Section: A monologue related to everyday social contexts, like talking about local facilities.

Section: A discussion among at least four people in an educational or training setting.

Section: A monologue on an academic subject.

IELTS Speaking Format
The speaking section is a face-to-face interview lasting 11-14 minutes, designed to evaluate your spoken English. It includes three tasks:

Task: Introduction and interview (4-5 minutes). Examiners introduce themselves and ask general questions on familiar topics like work, family, and hobbies to make candidates comfortable.

Task: Individual long turn (3-4 minutes). Candidates are given a task card with a topic and one minute to prepare before speaking on the subject for 1-2 minutes.

Task: Two-way discussion (4-5 minutes). Examiners ask further questions related to the topic from Task 2, allowing for a more detailed discussion.

IELTS Writing Format
Candidates can choose between the Academic or General Training writing tests. Both formats consist of two tasks that must be completed in 60 minutes. Task 1 requires a minimum of 150 words, while Task 2 requires at least 250 words. Responses should be written in full sentences, not bullet points.

For the Academic Test:

Task: Candidates are presented with a table, chart, graph, or diagram and must explain the data in formal writing.

Task: Candidates write an essay in response to a given argument, idea, or problem in a formal style.

For the General Training Test:

Task: Candidates must write a letter explaining a situation, which can be formal, semi-formal, or personal in style.

Task: Candidates write an essay in response to an argument, view, or problem, with more personal writing allowed compared to the academic essay.

IELTS Reading Format
This section requires candidates to answer 40 questions in 60 minutes, testing various reading skills such as understanding main ideas, reading for detail, recognizing opinions, and following logical arguments. The format differs between the Academic and General Training versions.

For the Academic Reading section:
Candidates read three long texts ranging from descriptive to factual or analytical, often sourced from books, journals, magazines, or newspapers.

For the General Training Reading section:
Candidates read a variety of texts commonly encountered in English-speaking countries, such as excerpts from newspapers, advertisements, instruction manuals, and notices.