Prepare for the four different sections of the IELTS by downloading free practice materials below.
IELTS Listening practice tests
The Listening test is the same for both Academic and General Training tests. During the listening exam, you will hear several recordings which may have Australian, British, or North-American accents. Please note that when you transfer your answers you are mindful of spelling as incorrect spelling will be marked wrong.
Format:
The Listening test is 30 minutes long (plus 10 minutes transfer time) and covers four separate recordings.
| Sections | Description |
|---|---|
| Section 1 | is a conversation between two people set in an everyday context (e.g. a conversation in an accommodation agency). |
| Section 2 | is a monologue set in an everyday social context (e.g. a speech about local families). |
| Section 3 | is a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context (e.g. a university tutor and student discussing an assignment). |
| Section 4 | is a monologue on an academic subject (e.g. a university lecture). |
Sample Listening Tasks for Download:
The following IELTS Listening Sample Tasks are to be used with the answer sheet and MP3 audio files/transcripts. Each answer sheet indicates which recording to listen to, or if a transcript is provided.
| Sections | Descriptions | Worksheet | Audio File |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 1 | Listening Sample Task Form Completion |  | Recording (MP3, 402KB) |
| Section 2 Sample A | Multiple Choice | | Recording (MP3, 402KB) |
| Section 2 Sample B | Listening Sample B Questions | | Recording (MP3, 402KB) |
| Section 2 Sample B | Listening Sample B Answers | |
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| Section 3 Sample A | Listening Sample Task Short Answer | | Recording (MP3, 574KB) |
| Section 3 Sample B | Listening Sample B Questions | | Recording (MP3, 549KB) |
| Section 3 Sample B | Listening Sample B Answers | |
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| Section 4 | Listening Sample Task Sentence Completion | | Recording (MP3, 549KB) |
| NEW Samples: | Listening Sample Task Matching (example 1) | | Recording (MP3, 2.7MB) |
| Listening Sample Task Matching (example 2) | | Recording (MP3, 2.7MB) | |
| Plan/Map/Diagram/Labelling | | Recording (MP3, 2.7MB) | |
| Answer Sheet | Listening General Answer Sheet | |
IELTS General Training Reading Practice Tests
The General Training version requires test takers to read extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment.
The content of the Reading Section will differ for the Academic and General Tests.
Format:
The General Training Reading test is 60 minutes long and includes three sections.
| Sections | Description |
|---|---|
| Section 1 | contains two or three short factual texts, one of which may be a composite (consisting of 6-8 short texts related by topic, eg. hotel advertisements). Topics are relevant to everyday life in an English-speaking country. |
| Section 2 | contains two short factual texts focusing on work-related issues (eg. applying for jobs, company policies, pay and conditions). |
| Section 3 | contains one longer, more complex text on a topic of general interest. |
| Task | Description | Worksheet |
|---|---|---|
| General Training Reading Sample Task | Flow Chart Completion | |
| Identifying Information | |
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| Matching Information | |
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| Matching Features | |
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| Matching Headings | |
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| Sentence Completion | |
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| Short Answer Questions | |
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| Answer sheet | Reading Answer sheet | |
IELTS General Training Writing Practice Tests
The Writing section of the test includes two tasks and both must be completed. Each task is assessed independently. The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1, so be sure to plan your time accordingly.
Format:
The General Training Writing test is 60 minutes long and includes two tasks. Both tasks must be completed but note that Task 2 is weighted more heavily than Task 1. In Task 1, test takers are asked to respond to a situation, by writing a letter for example, requesting information or explaining a situation. In Task 2, test takers write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.
| Sections | Description |
|---|---|
| IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 | In Writing Task 1, test takers are presented with a situation and required to write a personal response in the form of an informal, semi-formal or formal letter of at least 150 words. You will be told what kind of information (in the form of three bullet points) they must include in their response. Approximately 20 minutes should be allotted for this response. |
| IELTS General Training Writing Task 2 | In Writing Task 2, test takers are asked to write a semi-formal/neutral discursive essay of at least 250 words. The task instructions give information about a point of view, argument or problem. The instructions then tell you how to discuss this, which may involve providing general factual information, outlining and/or presenting a solution, justifying an opinion, evaluating evidence and ideas. You should spend no more than 40 minutes on this task. |
Sample Writing Tasks for Download:
| Sections | Worksheet |
|---|---|
| General Training Writing Sample - Task 1 | |
| General Training Writing Sample - Task 2 | |
| IELTS Writing Answer sheet | |
| General Training Writing Sample Script | |
IELTS Speaking Practice Tests
The speaking test is the same for both the Academic and General Training Exam. During the Speaking test, you will have a discussion with a certified IELTS Examiner. It is interactive and as close to a real-life situation as a test can get. Be prepared by familiarizing yourself with the format of the test.
Format:
The test is 11 to 14 minutes long with three parts.
| Sections | Description |
|---|---|
| Part 1 | You answer questions about yourself, your family, your work and your interests. |
| Part 2 | You speak about a topic. You will be given a task card which asks you to speak about a particular topic and includes points that you can cover in your talk. You will be given 1 minute to prepare your talk. You will then speak for 1-2 minutes. |
| Part 3 | You have a longer discussion on the topic. The examiner will ask you further questions connected to the topic in Part 2. |
Sample Speaking Tasks for Download:
| Task | Description | Files |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking Sample Task Part 1 | Prompt | |
| Recording |  |
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| Transcript | |
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| Speaking Sample Task Part 2 | Prompt | |
| Recording | |
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| Transcript | |
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| Speaking Sample Task Part 3 | Prompt | |
| Recording | |
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| Transcript | |
- Listening
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IELTS Listening practice tests
The Listening test is the same for both Academic and General Training tests. During the listening exam, you will hear several recordings which may have Australian, British, or North-American accents. Please note that when you transfer your answers you are mindful of spelling as incorrect spelling will be marked wrong.
Format:
The Listening test is 30 minutes long (plus 10 minutes transfer time) and covers four separate recordings.Sections Description Section 1 is a conversation between two people set in an everyday context (e.g. a conversation in an accommodation agency). Section 2 is a monologue set in an everyday social context (e.g. a speech about local families). Section 3 is a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context (e.g. a university tutor and student discussing an assignment). Section 4 is a monologue on an academic subject (e.g. a university lecture). Sample Listening Tasks for Download:
The following IELTS Listening Sample Tasks are to be used with the answer sheet and MP3 audio files/transcripts. Each answer sheet indicates which recording to listen to, or if a transcript is provided.
Sections Descriptions Worksheet Audio File Section 1 Listening Sample Task
Form CompletionRecording (MP3, 402KB) Section 2
Sample AMultiple Choice Recording (MP3, 402KB) Section 2
Sample BListening Sample B Questions Recording (MP3, 402KB) Section 2
Sample BListening Sample B Answers Section 3
Sample AListening Sample Task
Short AnswerRecording (MP3, 574KB) Section 3
Sample BListening Sample B Questions
Recording (MP3, 549KB)Section 3
Sample BListening Sample B Answers Section 4 Listening Sample Task
Sentence CompletionRecording (MP3, 549KB) NEW Samples: Listening Sample Task
Matching (example 1)Recording (MP3, 2.7MB) Listening Sample Task
Matching (example 2)Recording (MP3, 2.7MB) Plan/Map/Diagram/Labelling Recording (MP3, 2.7MB) Answer Sheet Listening General Answer Sheet - Reading
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IELTS General Training Reading Practice Tests
The General Training version requires test takers to read extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment.
The content of the Reading Section will differ for the Academic and General Tests.
Format:
The General Training Reading test is 60 minutes long and includes three sections.Sections Description Section 1 contains two or three short factual texts, one of which may be a composite (consisting of 6-8 short texts related by topic, eg. hotel advertisements). Topics are relevant to everyday life in an English-speaking country. Section 2 contains two short factual texts focusing on work-related issues (eg. applying for jobs, company policies, pay and conditions). Section 3 contains one longer, more complex text on a topic of general interest. Task Description Worksheet General Training Reading Sample Task Flow Chart Completion Identifying Information Matching Information Matching Features Matching Headings Sentence Completion Short Answer Questions Answer sheet Reading Answer sheet - Writing
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IELTS General Training Writing Practice Tests
The Writing section of the test includes two tasks and both must be completed. Each task is assessed independently. The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1, so be sure to plan your time accordingly.
Format:
The General Training Writing test is 60 minutes long and includes two tasks. Both tasks must be completed but note that Task 2 is weighted more heavily than Task 1. In Task 1, test takers are asked to respond to a situation, by writing a letter for example, requesting information or explaining a situation. In Task 2, test takers write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.Sections Description IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 In Writing Task 1, test takers are presented with a situation and required to write a personal response in the form of an informal, semi-formal or formal letter of at least 150 words. You will be told what kind of information (in the form of three bullet points) they must include in their response. Approximately 20 minutes should be allotted for this response. IELTS General Training Writing Task 2 In Writing Task 2, test takers are asked to write a semi-formal/neutral discursive essay of at least 250 words. The task instructions give information about a point of view, argument or problem. The instructions then tell you how to discuss this, which may involve providing general factual information, outlining and/or presenting a solution, justifying an opinion, evaluating evidence and ideas. You should spend no more than 40 minutes on this task. Sample Writing Tasks for Download:
Sections Worksheet General Training Writing Sample - Task 1 General Training Writing Sample - Task 2 IELTS Writing Answer sheet General Training Writing Sample Script - Speaking
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IELTS Speaking Practice Tests
The speaking test is the same for both the Academic and General Training Exam. During the Speaking test, you will have a discussion with a certified IELTS Examiner. It is interactive and as close to a real-life situation as a test can get. Be prepared by familiarizing yourself with the format of the test.
Format:
The test is 11 to 14 minutes long with three parts.Sections Description Part 1 You answer questions about yourself, your family, your work and your interests. Part 2 You speak about a topic. You will be given a task card which asks you to speak about a particular topic and includes points that you can cover in your talk. You will be given 1 minute to prepare your talk. You will then speak for 1-2 minutes. Part 3 You have a longer discussion on the topic. The examiner will ask you further questions connected to the topic in Part 2. Sample Speaking Tasks for Download:
Task Description Files Speaking Sample Task Part 1 Prompt Recording Transcript Speaking Sample Task Part 2 Prompt Recording Transcript Speaking Sample Task Part 3 Prompt Recording Transcript