IELTS Academic · Listening
IELTS Academic Listening: Format, Parts and Scoring
IELTS Academic Listening has four parts and 40 questions, and takes about 30 minutes. You hear each recording once: an everyday conversation, an everyday monologue, an educational discussion and an academic lecture. In the computer-delivered test you get 2 minutes at the end to check your answers. Your score converts to a band from 0 to 9.
- Parts
- 4 recordings, 10 questions each
- Questions
- 40
- Time
- About 30 minutes, plus 2 minutes to check answers
- Audio
- Each recording played once
- Score
- Band 0–9, in half bands
How IELTS Academic Listening works
The test moves from everyday to academic contexts. Part 1 is a conversation in a social setting, such as a booking. Part 2 is one speaker on an everyday topic, often with a map or plan. Part 3 is a discussion in an education or training setting, and Part 4 is an academic lecture. Listening is the same for IELTS Academic and General Training.
Questions appear on screen and you answer while the audio plays. Task types include form, note, table and summary completion, multiple choice, matching, and map or plan labelling. Completion tasks have a word limit stated in the instructions, and typed answers must be spelled correctly.
Each correct answer scores one mark. Your raw score out of 40 is converted to an IELTS band from 0 to 9; the exact conversion can vary slightly between tests, so check the official IELTS site for current guidance.
IELTS Academic Listening tasks
Tips that work
- Read the questions before each recording and predict the kind of answer each gap needs.
- Follow the final version of any information; speakers often correct themselves.
- Check every word limit and the spelling of each answer in the 2-minute review.
- Practise part by part first, then take full timed tests to build concentration for all four parts.
Questions candidates ask
Can I replay the audio in IELTS Listening?
No. Each recording is played once in the official test, so you must answer as you listen. Practise that way too: finish a set before you replay anything, then use the replay only to review mistakes.
How long is the IELTS Listening test?
About 30 minutes of recordings and questions. In the computer-delivered test, you then have 2 minutes to check your answers before the Listening test ends.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
No. A wrong answer scores zero, the same as a blank, so always write an answer, even a guess. Just keep it within the word limit and spell it carefully.
IELTS Academic overviewIELTS Academic Listening: all partsIELTS Academic full mock testsIELTS Academic articles on the blog