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IELTS practice test: format, timings and how to practise

A complete walkthrough of what happens in each of the four IELTS sections, how long you get, how it is marked, and the practice routine that moves your band fastest.

This guide is based on the publicly available IELTS test format and band descriptors. YourIELTSPrep is an independent self-paced practice platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, or Cambridge University Press & Assessment.

Listening30 minutes + 10 minutes transfer time

IELTS Listening: what to expect

Four recorded parts, 40 questions. Parts 1 and 2 are everyday social situations; Parts 3 and 4 are academic or training contexts. You hear each recording once.

How to practise it

  • Read the questions before each part starts — the answers come in order.
  • Write the exact word you hear; spelling and plurals are marked.
  • Never leave a blank. An unanswered question scores zero, a guess might not.
Reading60 minutes, no extra transfer time

IELTS Reading: what to expect

40 questions across three sections. Academic uses long passages from books, journals and newspapers. General Training uses workplace and everyday texts plus one longer passage.

How to practise it

  • Budget 20 minutes per passage and move on when the time is up.
  • Scan for names, numbers and dates first — they are the easiest anchors.
  • For True/False/Not Given, 'Not Given' means the passage is silent, not that it disagrees.
Writing60 minutes (20 for Task 1, 40 for Task 2)

IELTS Writing: what to expect

Academic Task 1 describes a chart, graph, table, map or process in at least 150 words. General Training Task 1 is a letter. Task 2 is a 250-word essay in both versions and is worth twice as much.

How to practise it

  • Task 2 is worth twice as much — start it first if you are slow.
  • Answer every part of the question; partial answers cap Task Response.
  • Under-length answers are penalised, so learn what 150 and 250 words look like in your handwriting.
Speaking11–14 minutes, face to face or by video call

IELTS Speaking: what to expect

Part 1 is short questions about you, Part 2 is a two-minute long turn from a cue card, Part 3 is a discussion of the wider topic.

How to practise it

  • Extend every answer with a reason or an example — one-line answers cost you marks.
  • Use the one minute of preparation in Part 2 to note four bullet points, not sentences.
  • Self-correction is fine; hesitating in silence is not.

Frequently asked questions

Is this IELTS practice test free?
Yes. The guidance on this page is free to read, and you can sit exam-style Writing tasks with practice feedback on three free attempts without entering a card.
How long is the IELTS test?
Listening, Reading and Writing run back to back for about 2 hours 45 minutes. Speaking takes 11 to 14 minutes and may be on the same day or up to a week either side.
What is a good IELTS score?
Most universities ask for an overall Band 6.5 to 7.0 with no section below 6.0. Skilled migration routes often ask for Band 7.0 or higher in every section. Check the exact requirement for your institution or visa route.
Are the practice bands on YourIELTSPrep official?
No. Bands shown in the product are AI-generated practice estimates for learning only, based on publicly available IELTS band descriptors and exam formats. They are not official IELTS results, and YourIELTSPrep is not affiliated with the IELTS partners.
How often should I do a practice test?
Most candidates improve fastest with short, frequent practice: one timed Writing task every day or two, plus a full-length mock every week or so in the month before the exam.

Sit an exam-style Writing task now

Timed Academic or General Training papers with real charts, maps and letter prompts, plus criterion-by-criterion practice feedback in seconds. Three free attempts, no card required.

Try a free Writing taskRead Band 8–9 sample answers