IELTS Listening practice tests
30 min · 40 questions · 4 sections · Identical for both versions
IELTS Listening is a 30-minute module with 40 questions across 4 sections, followed by 10 minutes to transfer answers. It is identical for Academic and General Training. Practice here to improve your note-taking speed, accent recognition, and ability to predict question types.
Module Instructions
Listen to the audio and answer the questions. You will hear each recording once.
All IELTS Listening practice tests
Listening Practice Test 1
Listening Practice Test 2
Listening Practice Test 3
Listening Practice Test 4
Listening Practice Test 5
Listening Practice Test 6
Listening Practice Test 7
Listening Practice Test 8
About IELTS Listening and how to practise it
IELTS Listening has four sections and 40 questions, lasting about 30 minutes. The recording is played once. Section 1 is an everyday conversation, Section 2 a talk on a social topic, Section 3 a discussion between students and Section 4 an academic lecture. On the paper based test you get 10 extra minutes to transfer your answers.
The questions follow the order of the recording, so the key skill is staying on the right question while listening for paraphrases and corrections.
How to use these tests
- Use the preview time to underline keywords in the questions.
- Write answers as you listen, then check spelling and plurals in the transfer time.
- After each test, sort every mistake into spelling, missed answer, distractor or wrong form.
- Repeat a section a week later to see whether your fix worked.
Common mistakes
- Writing the first thing you hear when the speaker corrects themselves.
- Misspelling names, places and numbers.
- Losing your place after one hard question.
Related: speaking flashcards, writing flashcards, band score calculator, vocabulary flashcards, band scores explained, IELTS guides.
Frequently Asked Questions about IELTS Listening
How long is the IELTS Listening test?
The IELTS Listening test is approximately 30 minutes of audio followed by 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. There are 40 questions across 4 sections, increasing in difficulty.
Is IELTS Listening the same for Academic and General Training?
Yes. The IELTS Listening module is identical for both Academic and General Training versions. It tests your ability to understand spoken English in academic lectures, conversations, and discussions.
Pair your practice with a clear plan.