IELTS::LISTENING

Duration and format
The Listening test takes around 30 minutes. There are
40 questions and four sections.
The Listening test is recorded on a CD and is played
ONCE only.
During the test, time is given for candidates to read the
questions and write down and then check their answers.
Answers are written on the question paper as candidates listen.
When the recording ends, ten minutes are allowed for
candidates to transfer their answers to an answer sheet.
Task types
The first two sections are concerned with social needs. There
is a conversation between two speakers and then a monologue.
For example – a conversation about travel arrangements or
decisions on a night out, and a speech about student services
on a university campus or arrangements for meals during a
conference.
The final two sections are concerned with situations related more
closely to educational or training contexts. There is a
conversation between up to four people and then a further
monologue. For example – a conversation between a tutor and a
student about an assignment or between three students
planning a research project, and a lecture or talk of general
academic interest.
A range of native-speaker English accents are used in the
recordings which reflects the international usage of IELTS.
A variety of questions are used, chosen from the following types:
• multiple choice
• short-answer questions
• sentence completion
• note/summary/flow-chart/table completion
• labelling a diagram
• classification
• matching

Marking and assessment
One mark is awarded for each correct answer in the 40-item test.
A confidential Band Score conversion table is produced for each
version of the Listening test, which translates scores out of 40
into the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and
half bands. Care should be taken when writing answers on the
answer sheet as poor spelling and grammar are penalised.

FORMAT OF THE IELTS TEST

Candidates are tested in listening, reading, writing and
speaking. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking
tests. There is a choice between Academic and General Training
in the Reading and Writing tests.
The tests are designed to cover the full range of ability from
non-user to expert user.
The first three tests – Listening, Reading and Writing –
must be completed in one day. There is no break between the
tests. The Speaking test may be taken, at the discretion of the
test centre, in the period seven days before or after the other
tests.
A computerised version of IELTS Listening, Reading and Writing
tests (CB IELTS) is available at selected centres, but all centres
will continue to offer paper-based IELTS and candidates will be
given the choice of the medium in which they wish to take the
test.

WHAT IS IELTS ?

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System,
is designed to assess the language ability of candidates
who need to study or work where English is the language
of communication.
IELTS is jointly managed by the University of Cambridge ESOL
Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council and IDP: IELTS
Australia. IELTS conforms to the highest international standards
of language assessment. It covers the four language skills –
listening, reading, writing and speaking.
IELTS is recognised by universities and employers in many
countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK
and the USA. It is also recognised by professional bodies,
immigration authorities and other government agencies.
IELTS is not recommended for candidates under the age of 16.