IELTS Overview

Listening (30 Minutes + 10 minutes transfer time)

Discourse Types Question Types Skills
Recording 1: a conversation between two 40 questions, including: • Listening for gist
people in an everyday context • Multiple choice • Listening for main ideas
Recording 2: a monologue in an everyday • Short-answer questions • Listening for specific information
context • Notes/Table/Form/Flow chart completion • Understanding opinions
Recording 3: a conversation between up to • Diagram labelling
four people in an educational setting • Matching
Recording 4: a monologue on an academic • Classification
subject • Sentence completion
• Flow chart summary
• Plan/Map/Diagram labelling
Academic Reading (60 minutes)
Text Types Question Types Skills
General interest texts taken from journals, 40 questions including: • Reading for gist
newspapers, textbooks and magazines. • Multiple choice • Skimming
These non-specialist texts are graded in • Short-answer questions • Reading for main ideas
difficulty and are representative of reading • Notes/Table/Form/Flow chart completion • Reading for detail
requirements for undergraduate and • Diagram labelling • Understanding logical argument
postgraduate students. • Matching • Recognising opinions, attitudes and
• Classification purpose
Total of 2,000–2,750 words • Sentence completion
• Flow chart completion
• Matching paragraph headings
• Matching lists/phrases
General Training Reading • True/False/Not given
(60 minutes)
Texts and extracts taken from books,
magazines, newspapers, notices,
advertisements, company handbooks and
guidelines that you would encounter on a
daily basis.
Academic Writing (60 minutes)
Task 1: a minimum of 150 words. A Task 1: Describe, summarise or explain • Using the appropriate writing conventions
summarising description of graphic or information from a graph, table or chart. and register
pictorial input. Task 2: Respond to a point of view, • Describing processes
Task 2: a minimum of 250 words. An argument or problem. Formal register • Describing data
extended piece of discursive writing. required. • Expressing a point of view
• Comparing and contrasting
General Training Writing (60 minutes) • Analysing problems and solutions
Task 1: a minimum of 150 words. Writing a Task 1: Write a letter or email to someone
letter or email. explaining a situation or requesting
Task 2: a minimum of 250 words. An information.
extended piece of discursive writing. Task 2: Write an essay in response to a
point of view, argument or problem. Can
be personal in style.
Speaking (11–14 Minutes)
Format Nature of Interaction Skills
Part 1: Introduction and interview Part 1: Speaking on familiar topics like • Giving personal information
(4–5 minutes) home, family, work, studies, interests, etc. • Talking about everyday habits and issues
Part 2: Individual long turn Part 2: You will be given a card which asks • Expressing opinions
(3–4 minutes) you to talk about a topic You have one • Organising ideas
Part 3: Exploring a topic/discussion minute to prepare before you speak for two • Understanding the rules of conversation
(4–5 minutes) minutes You will then be asked one or two
questions on the same topic.
Part 3: You will be asked more questions
about the topic in Part 2 so you can discuss
more abstract ideas.
Total test time: 2 hours and 45 minutes (+10 minutes transfer time for Listening)

6
 Introduction to IELTS
Useful resources to understand the format and implementation of the IELTS examination.
Test organisers:
1. IDP: https://ielts.idp.com/vietnam
2. British Council: https://www.britishcouncil.vn/thi/ielts
You can register online with test organisers or contact their partners.
We now only have computer-based tests (paper-based tests were stopped in April 2025).

Speaking sample from IDP:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0n_1VEXLK4&list=PLsuhejYkZ347SSZIRO-
bh5t0aiDl5lNO5&index=2
Writing sample from test books Cambridge 14 – 19.
Reading and listening sample test papers in test books Cambridge 14 – 19.
Different sources and centres can provide you forecasts of test skills for a small fee. If you are not willing
to pay for them, just try your best to study with materials from Cambridge.

Online platforms:
https://study.engonow.com/en
https://ieltsonlinetests.com/
https://ieltstrainingonline.com/