Listening — Full Overview

🎧 IELTS Listening – Full Overview The IELTS Listening test assesses how well a candidate understands spoken English including main ideas, details, and different accents. The test is 30 minutes long with 4 recordings and 40 questions. You can hear the recording only once. You’ll hear everyday conversations, academic discussions, and lectures. ✅ Applies to: 🕒 […]

🎧 IELTS Listening – Full Overview


The IELTS Listening test assesses how well a candidate understands spoken English including main ideas, details, and different accents. The test is 30 minutes long with 4 recordings and 40 questions. You can hear the recording only once. You’ll hear everyday conversations, academic discussions, and lectures.

✅ Applies to:


  • Both Academic and General Training  versions
  • Exact same format and scoring

🕒 Duration:


  • Total: ~40 minutes
    • 30 minutes to listen and answer questions
    • 10 minutes to transfer answers (paper-based only)
    • No transfer time in the computer-based test

🧩 Format:


  • 4 sections / recordings
  • 40 questions in total (10 per section)
  • Recordings played once only
  • Different accents may be used (British, Australian, American, etc.)

💻 Test on Computer


  • Total : 30 mins (2 mins to check answers, no extra 10 mins)
  • You type your answers directly into the computer while listening.
  • With the navigation button at the bottom of the screen, you can see and check all 40 questions.
  • You can also switch between questions with the forward/backward arrows.
  • If there is a question you want to return to and check again when you click the ‘Review’ button in the lower-left corner, the question number changes from a square to a circle, so you mark which question you will review. In addition, with the volume control bar in the upper right corner, you can provide full volume control during the test.
  • You should write the answers to the system as soon as you hear them. No extra time will be given to transfer your answers. You will only have 2 minutes to review your answers at the end of the test.
  • A visual example of sample :

📚 Section Breakdown:


  1. Section 1Conversation in a Social Context
    • Type: A dialogue between two people.
    • Context: Everyday social situations (e.g., booking a hotel room, enquiring about a course).
    • Skills tested: Listening for factual information like names, dates, addresses, prices.
    💠 Common Question Types:
    • Form Completion (e.g. booking forms)
    • Note/Table Completion
    • Short Answer Questions
    Example: You hear a person giving their name, phone number, and address. You fill in the missing details. Tip: This section is usually the easiest. Focus on specific details.
  2. Section 2 – Monologue in a Social Context
    • One speaker (e.g., a guide giving a tour or public talk)
    • Type: A single speaker.
    • Context: A talk on a non-academic topic (e.g., a tour guide describing a museum, or a speech about local facilities).
    • Skills tested: Understanding descriptions, following directions, identifying specific information.
    💠 Common Question Types:
    • Map/Plan/Diagram Labelling
    • Matching (e.g. places with descriptions)
    • Note/Table Completion
    Example: A tour guide describes a museum map, and you label different rooms. Tip: Visual aids like maps or diagrams may be involved.
  3. Section 3 – Educational or training discussion
    • 2–4 speakers (e.g., students discussing an assignment)
    • Type: A conversation between two to four people.
    • Context: Academic discussions (e.g., students talking with a tutor, group project discussion).
    • Skills tested: Understanding opinions, attitudes, and main ideas.
    💠 Common Question Types:
    • Matching (e.g. student names to opinions)
    • Multiple Choice
    • Note/Flowchart Completion
    Example: Students discuss project roles. You match their names to their tasks. Tip: This section is more complex with multiple speakers. Be alert for who is saying what.
  4. Section 4 – Academic lecture or talk
    • One speaker (e.g., a university lecture)
    • Type: A lecture or academic talk.
    • Context: University-style lecture on a subject (e.g., biology, history).
    • Skills tested: Listening for main ideas, supporting details, and specific information.
    💠 Common Question Types:
    • Note/Table/Summary Completion
    • Multiple Choice
    • Sentence Completion
    Example: A professor talks about climate change. You complete missing words in notes. Tip: No breaks in this section. Focus on structure and key vocabulary.

💠Test on Computer :

  • The Listening test is the same in both computer-based and paper-based formats.
  • You will listen to the audio once only through headphones.
  • The test has 4 sections with a total of 40 questions.
  • You will see the questions on the screen while you listen.
  • You can highlight text and make notes on the screen during the test.
  • You can change your answers at any time during the Listening section.
  • You do not get extra time at the end to transfer answers (unlike the paper test).
  • You must type your answers directly into the answer boxes on the screen.
  • Spelling and grammar must be correct to receive a mark.
  • The audio will start automatically, and you cannot pause or replay it.
  • Use the navigation bar to move between questions or check your answers.
  • you will only be given two minutes at the end of the test to check your answers. The test stops automatically at the end of this time period.

📊 Scoring:


  • Each correct answer = 1 mark
  • There is no negative marking
  • Your raw score (out of 40) is converted into a band score (from 1 to 9)

✏️ Question Types:


  • Multiple choice
  • Matching
  • Sentence completion
  • Form/note/table/flow-chart completion
  • Map/diagram labelling
  • Short-answer questions

🎯 Skills Assessed:


  • Understanding main ideas & specific information
  • Recognising opinions, attitudes, and purpose
  • Following the flow of conversation or argument
  • Grasping meaning despite distractions or accents

Download our mobile app

App StoreGoogle Play
App Store

App Store

Google Play

Google Play

© 2025 One IELTS, All rights reserved.  | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service