How IELTS is built, how long each section runs, and what to bring — on one page.
Listening, Reading and Writing run back to back on the same day with no break — about 2 hours 45 minutes in total. Speaking is often on a different day.
The four sections test four different skills, and each one rewards a different tactic. These guides cover the question types, the timing, and the mistakes that cost most candidates a band.
4 parts, 40 questions. The audio plays once only. Computer-delivered has no transfer time — you get 2 minutes to check instead.
Read ahead to the next questions. If you miss an answer, keep moving — the recording doesn't wait.
Read the guideAcademic has 3 long passages and 40 questions. There is no separate transfer time.
Roughly 20 minutes per passage. If a question takes more than 2 minutes, mark it and move on.
Read the guideTask 1 — describe a chart or diagram, at least 150 words (~20 minutes). Task 2 — an essay, at least 250 words (~40 minutes).
Task 2 is worth twice as much, so finish Task 1 in 20 minutes and give the rest to the essay.
Read the guidePart 1 — short questions about you. Part 2 — a 1–2 minute talk from a cue card (1 minute to prepare). Part 3 — a deeper discussion of the same topic.
Don't answer in one sentence. Extend every answer with a reason or an example.
Read the guideThe practical parts, worth knowing in advance.
Usually 3–5 days after a computer-delivered test and around 13 days after a paper one. Some centres offer a One Skill Retake, but availability varies — check with your own centre.
The 25-minute diagnostic shows your current level, and a full mock runs at real exam length.