- Know the timing, number of questions and order of the four sections
- Choose correctly between Academic and General Training
- Understand the rules of the computer-delivered test and One Skill Retake
Aysel wants to do a master's degree in the UK, and Murad plans to move to Canada with his family. Both of them are asked for the same thing — an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) result. But their tests are not identical: Aysel will take IELTS Academic, and Murad will take IELTS General Training. In this lesson you will learn how the exam is built, how the time is divided and what changed in 2026.
Academic or General Training?
IELTS Academic is for people who want to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, or to register in certain professions. IELTS General Training is for people who want to move to an English-speaking country (for example Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the UK), work there, or study below degree level. Listening and Speaking are the same in both versions; Reading and Writing are different.
| Section | Time | What is inside | Academic vs GT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | ≈ 30 minutes | 4 parts, 40 questions; the recording is played only once | the same |
| Reading | 60 minutes | 3 passages (sections), 40 questions | different: Academic — academic-style texts for a general reader; GT — everyday, workplace and general-interest texts |
| Writing | 60 minutes | 2 tasks: Task 1 (at least 150 words, ≈ 20 min) and Task 2 (at least 250 words, ≈ 40 min) | Task 1 differs: Academic — describe a graph, table or diagram; GT — write a letter. Task 2 is an essay in both |
| Speaking | 11–14 minutes | 3 parts; a face-to-face interview with an examiner, recorded | the same |
Listening, Reading and Writing are taken on the same day, one after another, with no breaks between them. Speaking may be on the same day or up to 7 days before or after the other sections — the test centre tells you the date.
Computer or paper? What changed in 2026
In March 2026 the official IELTS website announced that from mid-2026 IELTS will no longer be offered on paper — all tests will be delivered on computer (the timing depends on the country). In selected countries there is a Writing on Paper option: Listening and Reading are on computer, the Writing tasks appear on screen, but you handwrite your answers on an answer sheet. Speaking is always with a live examiner. Computer results usually arrive in 1–5 days, and Writing on Paper results within 5 days. The content of the test and the marking have not changed.
| Section | On computer | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | You type answers into the boxes as you listen; you get 2 minutes at the end to check them | The paper test gave 10 minutes to transfer answers to the answer sheet — on computer there is no such time |
| Reading | You can highlight parts of the text and add notes on screen | Everything must be done within 60 minutes; there is no extra transfer time |
| Writing | A word counter is shown on screen | With Writing on Paper you count the words yourself; your planning notes are not marked |
| Speaking | No computer is used | It is a live conversation with an examiner and it is recorded |
Your first week: getting to know the exam
- 1Write down your requirement
Note the version, the overall band and the minimum per skill, for example: “Academic, overall 6.5, no skill below 6.0”.
- 2Take a diagnostic test
Do one full test from official preparation materials under real conditions: set a timer, take no breaks and play the Listening only once.
- 3Analyse the result
Check Listening and Reading with the answer key and count your correct answers. Keep your Writing and record your Speaking on your phone — your weakest skill becomes your main target.
- 4Choose a date
Pick a realistic date based on the gap between your target and your current level. As a safety net, keep the 60-day One Skill Retake window and your application deadline in mind.
Answer for each situation:
1) Leyla is applying for an English-taught master's programme in the Netherlands. Which version?
2) Elvin is preparing documents to move to Australia with his family. Which version?
3) Murad takes General Training and Aysel takes Academic. Which sections are exactly the same for them?
4) Farid took IELTS on computer 3 weeks ago: he got 6.0 in Writing but needs 6.5. What can he do?
Show solutionHide solution
2) General Training — this version is usually required for migration (still, check the programme's official requirement).
3) Listening and Speaking are exactly the same; the Reading texts and Writing Task 1 differ, while Task 2 is an essay in both.
4) He can resit only Writing with One Skill Retake: his original test was on computer and the 60-day window has not ended yet. He should first check that the university accepts it.
Key points
- IELTS has four sections: Listening (≈ 30 min, 40 questions), Reading (60 min, 40 questions), Writing (60 min, 2 tasks), Speaking (11–14 min, 3 parts).
- Listening and Speaking are the same in both versions; Reading and Writing differ between Academic and General Training.
- From mid-2026 IELTS is moving fully to computer delivery; some countries offer a Writing on Paper option.
- Speaking can be on the same day or within 7 days before or after the other sections.
- One Skill Retake: any one section, once, within 60 days of a computer-delivered test.
Check yourself
10 questions. Every correct answer earns XP.