Study Guide
The International English Language Testing System is accepted by 11,500+ institutions globally. Our guide covers the four modules — Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking — with band-boosting strategies.
IELTS comes in two flavors: Academic (for university admission) and General Training (for work or migration). Both test four skills across 2 hours 45 minutes. Decide your version based on your destination — most universities require Academic.
Practice with diverse English accents — British, Australian, American. The test punishes careless spelling, so dictate while you listen. Shadowing podcasts daily builds the pacing you need.
You have 60 minutes for 40 questions across 3 passages. Skim each passage for 2 minutes to map its structure, then scan for keywords question-by-question. Never spend more than 90 seconds per question on first pass.
Task 1 (20 min, 150 words) and Task 2 (40 min, 250 words). Task 2 is worth twice as much — write it first. Use a clear 4-paragraph structure: intro, two body paragraphs with one argument each, conclusion.
Part 1 is everyday chat, Part 2 is a 2-minute cue card, Part 3 is an abstract discussion. Examiners reward fluency and range — use idioms and linking phrases, but don't force memorized lines.
