IELTS Listening is the same test for both Academic and General Training candidates, made up of four recorded sections played once only, with increasing difficulty as you progress.

The Four Sections

  • Section 1: A conversation between two people in an everyday social context (e.g., booking a hotel room).
  • Section 2: A monologue in an everyday social context (e.g., a speech about a local facility).
  • Section 3: A conversation between up to four people in an educational or training context.
  • Section 4: A monologue on an academic subject — generally the most challenging section.

Common Question Types

  • Multiple choice: Choose the correct answer from three or four options.
  • Form/note/table completion: Fill in gaps with words taken directly from the recording.
  • Matching: Match items from a list to options given in the recording.
  • Sentence completion and short-answer questions: Write a limited number of words to complete a sentence.

Common Mistakes That Cost Easy Marks

  • Exceeding the word limit: If the question says "no more than two words," writing three automatically marks the answer wrong.
  • Spelling errors: Incorrectly spelled answers are marked wrong even if you clearly heard the right word.
  • Losing your place: The recording plays once only — if you miss a question, move on immediately.
  • Not using transfer time wisely: Use it to double-check spelling and grammar, not to second-guess correct answers.

How to Prepare

Practice listening to a variety of accents (British, American, Australian, Canadian all appear in the test). Our free English listening exercises are organized by level to build this skill progressively.