IELTS Practice Test
The IELTS practice test serves as a fundamental step towards successfully clearing the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination. By utilizing these practice tests, students can gain insight into the actual exam conditions and become familiar with the types of questions, time constraints, and overall format. Essentially, IELTS practice tests provide candidates with a comprehensive understanding of what to expect on the exam, which includes four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Mock tests, in particular, enhance this understanding by offering targeted practice in each component.
What is IELTS?Â
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a widely recognized English language proficiency test that is essential for students wishing to study abroad or individuals aspiring to work in English-speaking countries. The test evaluates applicants’ skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Due to its popularity, many universities abroad require IELTS scores for admission.
There are two versions of the test: the IELTS Academic exam, intended for students, and the IELTS General Training test, which is designed for those seeking work visas. Remarkably, IELTS results are accepted by over 12,000 organizations, including employers, educational institutions, governments, and professional associations across around 140 countries worldwide.
IELTS Exam Fee
The IELTS exam fee details are as follows:
IELTS Test Type | Test Fee 2025 |
IELTS on Computer for UKVI | INR 18,250 |
IELTS on Computer | INR 18,000 |
IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1) | INR 17,000 |
IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration | INR 18,250 |
IELTS on Paper | INR 18,000 |
One Skill Retake | INR 12,000 |
IELTS Exam Format & Syllabus
Here is a quick glance at the IELTS exam syllabus and format:
Section | No. of Questions | Duration | Purpose |
Listening | 40 | 30 minutes (+10 minutes if attempting a paper test) | This section tests a candidate’s ability to grasp core ideas, recognize a speaker’s opinions, and follow arguments from audio recordings. |
Reading | 40 | 60 minutes | This section tests a candidate’s ability to conduct focused reading. The questions require test-takers to read for specific details and understand meaning. |
Writing | 2 | 60 minutes (It is recommended to spend 20 minutes on Question 1 and 40 minutes on Question 2) | This section measures a candidate’s ability to draft a good argument, organize text, and make use of effective vocabulary. |
Speaking | 3 parts | 11-14 minutes | This section seeks to test a candidate’s ability in spoken language and how well they can organize ideas, use appropriate vocabulary, and pronounce words when speaking. |
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Students get 2 hours and 45 minutes to finish the exam.
IELTS Online Prep
For those juggling multiple deadlines alongside their IELTS exam preparation, online resources can be incredibly beneficial. Various online platforms offer personalized study materials tailored by experts. For instance, The Princeton Review’s Online Classroom Training provides students with over 40 hours of guided practice, featuring targeted preparation for each module, as well as full-length IELTS practice tests. Additionally, students seeking extra assistance can opt for private tutoring.
The Importance of Practice Tests
Emphasizing the significance of practice tests, it is crucial to recognize their role in the preparation process. Firstly, practice tests help establish a benchmark, enabling test-takers to identify their focus areas for more effective planning. Furthermore, they serve as the best method to track progress and set future goals. Additionally, engaging with mock tests familiarizes candidates with the test’s format and question types, bolstering their confidence as they approach exam day. These practice sessions also help alleviate stress, ultimately leading to a more confident performance.
Let’s understand each section of the IELTS test in detail.
IELTS Listening Test
To give you an overview of the IELTS listening test format, it comprises four recordings:Â Â
- Recording 1: Candidates listen to a dialogue set in a daily life scenario. Â
- Recording 2: This section involves a monologue discussing a social context or everyday situation, such as a talk about local street conditions. Â
- Recording 3: Here, candidates listen to a conversation involving more than two people, usually in an educational setting, where teachers and students may discuss an assignment. Â
- Recording 4: Finally, candidates listen to a monologue focused on academic subjects, such as a lecture from a college professor.
By integrating various IELTS preparation tools, including the IELTS listening practice test and specific reading practice tests tailored for both the academic and general training modules, candidates can significantly enhance their readiness for the exam. The IELTS speaking practice test is equally important, allowing participants to practice speaking in a simulated environment, further ensuring they are fully prepared to display their language proficiency on the day of the exam.
IELTS Listening Practice Tests
- IELTS Listening practice test 1: Play Audio | Download answer key
- IELTS Listening practice test 2: Note completion: Play Audio | Download answer key
- IELTS Listening practice test 3: Plan, Map, Diagram labeling: Play Audio | Download answer key
- IELTS Listening practice test 4: Multiple choice (more than one answer): Play Audio | Download answer key
- IELTS Listening practice test 5: Multiple choice (one answer): Play Audio | Download answer key
- IELTS Listening practice test 6: Short answers: Play Audio | Download answer key
- IELTS Listening practice test 7: Table completion: Play Audio | Download answer key
- IELTS Listening practice test 8: Sentence completion: Play Audio | Download answer key
- IELTS Listening practice test 9: Flow chart completion: Play Audio | Download answer key
- IELTS Listening practice test 10: Familiarization test: Play Audio | Download answer key
IELTS Reading Test
Academic Reading | Comprises 3 sections with 40 questions from different magazines, books and journals, covering the topics relevant and related to professional registration or university studies. |
General Training Reading | Comprises 3 sections that carry 40 questions based on work situations, everyday life, and general interest topics, taking extracts from different common sources. |
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IELTS Reading Practice Lessons and Exercises
- IELTS Reading practice lesson 1: True, false, not given
- IELTS Reading practice lesson 2: Skimming and scanning
- IELTS Reading practice lesson 3: Matching heading questions
- IELTS Reading practice lesson 4: Analysing a writer’s views or claims
- IELTS Reading practice lesson 5: Diagram completion
- IELTS Reading practice lesson 6: Identifying information
- IELTS Reading practice lesson 7: Feature matching
- IELTS Reading practice lesson 8: Matching information
- IELTS Reading practice lesson 9: Multiple choice questions
- IELTS Reading practice lesson 10: Short answer questions
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IELTS Exam Reading Practice Tests – Academic
- Â Matching feature: Practice test | Download answer key
- Matching sentence endings: Practice test | Download answer key
- Sentence completion: Practice test | Download answer key
- Summary completion (select words from text): Practice test | Download answer key
- Summary completion (select from a list of words): Practice test | Download answer key
- Note completion: Practice test | Download answer key
- Identifying information (True/False/Not Given): Practice test | Download answer key
- Multiple choice (more than one answer): Practice test | Download answer key
- Multiple choice (one answer): Practice test | Download answer key
- Table completion: Practice test | Download answer key
- Familiarization test: Practice test | Download answer key
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Exam Reading Practice Tests (General Training)
- IELTS General Training Reading sample – Note completion: Practice test | Download answer key
- IELTS General Training Reading sample – Summary completion: Practice test | Download answer key
- IELTS General Training Reading sample – Matching features: Practice test | Download answer key
- IELTS General Training Reading sample – Matching information: Practice test | Download answer key
- IELTS General Training Reading sample – True/False/Not Given: Practice test | Download answer key
- IELTS General Training Reading sample – Multiple choice: Practice test | Download answer key
- IELTS General Training Reading sample – Sentence completion: Practice test | Download answer key
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IELTS Academic Writing
In the IELTS academic writing task 1 section, students are given the following types of charts and 20 minutes to create a detailed report:
- Bar chart
- Line graph
- Pie chart
- Table
- Process diagram
- Map
- A combination of the above (multiple tasks)
Academic Writing (Task 1) Practice Test: Task 1Â
Academic Writing (Task 2) Practice Test: Task 2
IELTS Speaking Test
The IELTS Speaking Section is divided into three segments:
Section | Time | Type |
Part 1 | 4-5 minutes | The candidate is asked to introduce themselves and answer general questions about themselves |
Part 2 | 3-4 minutes | Candidates are given a cue card for a topic that includes important points. After a minute of preparation, they must speak about the topic. |
Part 3 | 4-5 minutes | The examiner asks about the topic the candidate spoke about. Additional ideas may be discussed here. |
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IELTS Speaking Practice Test
- Speaking Part 1 practice test: Prompt | Recording | Transcript
- Speaking Part 2 practice test: Prompt | Recording | Transcript