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:

• 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 1 – Conversation 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