IELTS Listening

 

The IELTS Listening test is 30 minutes long and consists of four sections with 10 questions each. The sections are:

  1. Short talks: You will listen to three short talks on a variety of general topics, such as education, work, or leisure activities. You will be asked to answer questions about the main ideas, specific details, and opinions expressed in the talks.
  2. Conversations: You will listen to two conversations between two people on a variety of everyday topics, such as making arrangements, giving directions, or discussing plans. You will be asked to answer questions about the main ideas, specific details, and opinions expressed in the conversations.
  3. Monologues: You will listen to a single speaker giving a talk on a more academic topic, such as a lecture, a seminar, or a presentation. You will be asked to answer questions about the main ideas, specific details, and opinions expressed in the monologue.
  4. Summary tasks: You will listen to a short talk or conversation and then be asked to complete a summary of the main points. You may be asked to reorder information, fill in gaps, or identify key points.

The IELTS Listening test is scored on a scale of 1 to 9, with 9 being the highest score. The average score for the Listening test is 6.5.

Here is the score conversion table:

Raw Score IELTS Band Score
39-40 9
37-38 8.5
35-36 8
32-34 7.5
30-31 7
26-29 6.5
23-25 6
18-22 5.5
16-17 5
13-15 4.5
10-12 4
8-10 3.5
6-7 3
4-5 2.5
1-3 1

Here are some tips for doing well on the IELTS Listening test:

  • Listen actively. This means paying attention to the speaker’s pronunciation, intonation, and emphasis. It also means trying to understand the speaker’s purpose and the context of the conversation or talk.
  • Take notes. This will help you to keep track of the main points and to remember specific details.
  • Read the questions carefully before you listen to the recording. This will give you an idea of what you are listening for.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. If you don’t understand something, you can ask the examiner to repeat the question or the recording.
  • Pace yourself. There is no need to rush through the test. Take your time and make sure that you understand each question before you answer it.