The learner can describe the four IELTS sections, their order, timings and question counts, and explain how Academic differs from General Training.
IELTS Academic: the four sections
How the test is structured
IELTS Academic consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. On test day, Listening, Reading, and Writing are taken back-to-back in one sitting with no formal breaks between them. Speaking is usually scheduled on the same day or within a few days before or after.
Listening lasts approximately 30 minutes. You hear four recordings — a mix of monologues and conversations — and answer 40 questions in total. The recordings are played only once.
Reading lasts 60 minutes. You work through three passages and answer 40 questions. In the Academic version, the texts are taken from academic journals, books, and magazines — they are longer and more complex than General Training texts.
Writing lasts 60 minutes. Task 1 asks you to describe a chart, graph, table, process, or map in at least 150 words (suggested time: 20 minutes). Task 2 asks you to write an essay of at least 250 words in response to a point of view or argument (suggested time: 40 minutes). Task 2 carries more weight in your final Writing band.
Speaking is a face-to-face interview with an examiner lasting 11–14 minutes. It has three parts: Part 1 is short familiar questions (about 4–5 minutes); Part 2 is a cue-card long turn where you get about 1 minute to prepare and then speak for up to 2 minutes; Part 3 is an extended discussion linked to the Part 2 topic (about 4–5 minutes).
Academic vs General Training: both versions share identical Listening and Speaking. The difference is in Reading (Academic uses academic texts; General Training uses everyday texts) and Writing Task 1 (Academic = describe a visual; General Training = write a letter). This course focuses entirely on the Academic version.
Lesson notes
How the test is structured
IELTS Academic consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. On test day, Listening, Reading, and Writing are taken back-to-back in one sitting with no formal breaks between them. Speaking is usually scheduled on the same day or within a few days before or after.
Listening lasts approximately 30 minutes. You hear four recordings — a mix of monologues and conversations — and answer 40 questions in total. The recordings are played only once.
Reading lasts 60 minutes. You work through three passages and answer 40 questions. In the Academic version, the texts are taken from academic journals, books, and magazines — they are longer and more complex than General Training texts.
Writing lasts 60 minutes. Task 1 asks you to describe a chart, graph, table, process, or map in at least 150 words (suggested time: 20 minutes). Task 2 asks you to write an essay of at least 250 words in response to a point of view or argument (suggested time: 40 minutes). Task 2 carries more weight in your final Writing band.
Speaking is a face-to-face interview with an examiner lasting 11–14 minutes. It has three parts: Part 1 is short familiar questions (about 4–5 minutes); Part 2 is a cue-card long turn where you get about 1 minute to prepare and then speak for up to 2 minutes; Part 3 is an extended discussion linked to the Part 2 topic (about 4–5 minutes).
Academic vs General Training: both versions share identical Listening and Speaking. The difference is in Reading (Academic uses academic texts; General Training uses everyday texts) and Writing Task 1 (Academic = describe a visual; General Training = write a letter). This course focuses entirely on the Academic version.