2. Listening Task Purpose of the test:
The IELTS Listening test is designed to assess a wide range of listening skills, including how well you understand main ideas and specific factual information recognise the opinions, attitudes and purpose of a speaker follow the development of an argument.
Timing
The IELTS Listening test takes approximately 30 minutes, and you are allowed an extra 10 minutes to transfer your answers from your question booklet to your answer sheet.
Four sections
The IELTS Listening test is broken down into four sections:
Listening Task
Section
Description 1
You listen to a conversation between two people set in an everyday social situation, e.g. a conversation in an accommodation agency, and answer questions on your comprehension. 2
You listen to a monologue set in an everyday social situation, e.g. a speech about local facilities or a talk about the arrangements for meals during a conference. 3
You listen to a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context, e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment, or a group of students planning a research project. 4
You listen to a monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture.
You will begin by listening to a recording of instructions and a sample question for section 1. Then you will read the questions for section 1, listen to section 1, and answer the questions.
This procedure is repeated for sections 2, 3 and 4.
In the final 10 minutes, you will transfer your answers onto the answer sheet.
Each section is heard once only.

3. Questions
There are 40 questions.
A variety of question types is used, and you may be asked to
answer multiple choice questions
label a plan, map or diagram
fill in a form
complete a table
complete a flow-chart
give short answers
Marking
Each correct answer receives one mark.
Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.

4. Understand the Writing test
Write clearly, organise your ideas and use a varied vocabulary.
Purpose of the test
The IELTS Writing test is designed to assess a wide range of writing skills, including how well you write a response appropriately
organise ideas use a range of vocabulary and grammar accurately.
This is the case for whichever version of the IELTS test you are taking.
Timing
The IELTS Writing test takes 60 minutes. Spend 20 minutes on Task 1, and 40 minutes on Task 2.
You will need to manage your own time, so make sure you move on to Task 2 after 20 minutes.
Two tasks
There are two tasks in the IELTS Writing test. You will be asked to write at least 150 words for Task 1 and at least 250 words for Task 2

5. IELTS Academic Writing test
Write in a formal style in the IELTS Academic Writing test.
In Task 1 you will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram. You will be asked to describe, summarize or explain the information in your own words. This might involve describing and explaining data, describing the stages of a process or how something works, or describing an object or event.
In Task 2 you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. You should find the issues interesting and easy to understand.
IELTS General Training Writing test
The topics used in the IELTS General Training Writing test are of general interest.
In Task 1 you will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. You can write the letter in a personal, semi-formal or formal style.
In Task 2 you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. You can use a fairly personal style.
Marking
Your Writing test will be marked by a certificated IELTS examiner.
Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1 in the IELTS Writing test.
Scores are reported in whole and half bands.

6. Understand the Reading test
You will need to read quickly and efficiently, and manage your time
You will be asked to read three different passages and respond to related questions in your IELTS Reading test.
The content of the Reading test is different for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training tests. Details of each version are given below.
Purpose of the test
The IELTS Reading test is designed to assess a wide range of reading skills, including how well you
read for the general sense of a passage
read for the main ideas
read for detail
understand inferences and implied meaning
recognise a writer’s opinions, attitudes and purpose
follow the development of an argument
This is the case for whichever version of the IELTS test you are taking.
Timing
The IELTS Reading test takes 60 minutes.
You are not allowed any extra time to transfer your answers, so write them directly on to your answer sheet.
You will need to manage your time during the test because you will not be told when to start or finish each section.
Three sections
You will be given three different passages to read, each with accompanying questions. You can expect to read 2, ,750 words in total during your test.
IELTS Academic Reading test
There are three sections to the IELTS Academic Reading test, and each contains one long text.
These are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. They have been written for a non-specialist audience and are on academic topics of general interest.
They range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical.
Each text might be accompanied by diagrams, graphs or illustrations, and you will be expected to show that you understand these too.
A simple glossary is provided if the material contains technical terms.

7. General Training Reading
IELTS General Training Reading test
There are three sections to the IELTS General Training Reading test.
The texts used in each section are taken from notices, advertisements, company handbooks, official documents, books, magazines and newspapers.
Section 1 contains two or three short factual texts, one of which may be made up of short texts related by topic, e.g. hotel advertisements. The topics are relevant to everyday life in an English-speaking country.
Section 2 contains two short factual texts focusing on work-related issues, e.g. applying for a job, company policies, pay and conditions, workplace facilities, staff development and training.
Section 3 contains one longer, more complex text on a topic of general interest.
Questions
There are 40 questions.  
A variety of question types is used. You may be asked to
fill gaps in a passage of written text or in a table
match headings to written text to diagrams or charts
complete sentences
give short answers to open questions
answer multiple choice questions
Sometimes you will need to give one word as your answer, sometimes a short phrase, and sometimes simply a letter, number or symbol.
Make sure you read the instructions carefully.
Marking
Each correct answer receives one mark.
Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.

8. Speaking Test
The Speaking test is as close to a real-life situation as an exam can get.
You will talk to a certified examiner in the IELTS Speaking test. The test is interactive and as close to a real-life situation as a test can get. A variety of accents may be used, and the test will be recorded.
The content of the IELTS Speaking test is the same for both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training tests.
Purpose of the test
The IELTS Speaking test is designed to assess a wide range of skills.
The examiner will want to see how well you can
communicate opinions and information on everyday topics and common experiences; to do this you will need to answer a range of questions.
Speak at length on a given topic using appropriate language
organise your ideas coherently
express and justify your opinions
analyse, discuss and speculate about issues
Make sure that you relax and talk fluently. You will need to speak naturally.
Timing
The IELTS Speaking test takes minutes.
The Speaking Test is made up of three sections:

9. grammatical range and accuracy pronunciation
Section
Duration
Information
Part 1 Introduction and interview
4-5 minutes
The examiner will introduce him or herself and ask you to introduce yourself and confirm your identity. The examiner will ask you general questions on familiar topics, e.g. home, family, work, studies and interests. This section should help you relax and talk naturally.
Part 2 Individual long turn 
3-4 minutes
The examiner will give you a task card which asks you to talk about a particular topic, including points to include in your talk. You will be given one minute to prepare and make notes. You will then be asked to talk for 1-2 minutes on the topic. You will not be interrupted during this time, so it is important to keep talking. The examiner will then ask you one or two questions on the same topic.
Part 3 Two-way discussion 
The examiner will ask you further questions which are connected to the topic of Part 2. These questions are designed to give you an opportunity to discuss more abstract issues and ideas.
Marking
You will be assessed on your performance throughout the test by certificated IELTS examiners. 
You will be marked on the four criteria of the IELTS Speaking Test Band Descriptors:
fluency and coherence
lexical resource
grammatical range and accuracy
pronunciation
Scores are reported in whole and half bands.

10. Ielts IELTS results process
Your IELTS results will be available 13 days after your test and recorded on a Test Report Form. You can preview your results online and some centres can also provide a preview by SMS alert. 
The IELTS results process ensures the Test Report Form detailing your results will be posted to you 13 days after the test. Some test centres will let you collect your results in person. Centres are not permitted to give results over the phone or by fax or .
You can preview your results online and some centres can also provide a preview by SMS alert, as the IELTS results process is tailored to suit your local needs.
You will only receive one Test Report Form. Keep it safe: replacements cannot be issued. 
Test centres can send copies of your Test Report Form to up to five recognising organisations for you free of charge.
Find out more about the Test Report Form.

11. Understand how to calculate your IELTS scores
You can’t fail IELTS - the test assesses all levels of English
The IELTS 9-band scale
You will be given a score from 1 to 9 for each part of the test – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The average produces your overall band score. You can score whole (e.g., 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half (e.g., 5.5., 6.5, 7.5) bands in each part of the test.

12. Bandscore
Skill level
Description
Band 9
Expert user
You have a full operational command of the language. Your use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, and you show complete understanding.
Band 8
Very good user
You have a fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. You may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. You handle complex detailed argumentation well.
Band 7
Good user
You have an operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally you handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning.
Band 6
Competent user
Generally you have an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings. You can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
Band 5
Modest user
You have a partial command of the language, and cope with overall meaning in most situations, although you are likely to make many mistakes. You should be able to handle basic communication in your own field.
Band 4
Limited user
Your basic competence is limited to familiar situations. You frequently show problems in understanding and expression. You are not able to use complex language.
Band 3
Extremely limited user
You convey and understand only general meaning in very familiar situations. There are frequent breakdowns in communication.
Band 2
Intermittent user
You have great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
Band 1
Non-user
You have no ability to use the language except a few isolated words.
Band 0
Did not attempt the test
You did not answer the questions.