The IELTS tests the four language skills : listening, reading, writing and speaking - in that order, as shown in the table below.

General Training or Academic Modules?

When you register for the IELTS you have a choice.

The Listening and Speaking Modules are the same for both, but the Reading and Writing Modules are different: the General Training Reading and Writing Modules are less demanding than the corresponding Academic ones.

The General Training Reading and Writing Modules emphasise basic survival skills in a broad social and educational context and are the best choice for people who want to emigrate.

The Academic Reading and Writing Modules are for those who want to go to University in Australia: they assess whether you are ready to study in the medium of English at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Duration

It takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete the test. The first three modules, Listening, Reading and Writing, are completed in a single sesson with no break between the modules. The Speaking Module may be taken, at the discretion of the test centre, in the period seven days before or seven days after the other modules.

• The Listening Module takes 30 minutes and you have to answer 40 questions;
• The Reading Modules take 60 minutes and you have to answer 40 questions;
• The Writing Modules take 60 minutes and you have to complete 2 writing tasks;
• The Speaking Module takes up to 15 minutes.