IELTS test you in all four language skills:
IELTS Listening Test (Duration 30 Minutes)
The Listening section is similar in both General Training and Academic IELTS.
The Listening section has 4 sections, each contains 10 questions. The first two Listening sections are around social context, and the other two are around education and training contexts.
IELTS Reading Test (Duration 60 Minutes)
The reading section is different in General and Academic IELTS tests.
General IELTS Training contains 3 sections of simple text, which is general in nature.
Whereas the Academic IELTS contains 3 sections but the text comes from books, journals, magazines or official documents. This text is of academic in nature, but don’t worry as it is meant for non-specialist readers.
IELTS Writing Test (60 Minutes)
In the General IELTS, there are two tasks that include a letter-writing (150 words) and a short essay writing (250 words).
Academic IELTS also has two writing tasks. Academic writing is generally more formal in nature compared to the General IELTS. It includes summarizing a table, chart or diagram (150 words), and a short essay writing (250 words).
IELTS Speaking Test (11-14 Minutes)
The Speaking test is similar for both, General and Academic IELTS test. The Speaking task is always taken face-to-face by a certified IELTS examiner.
The Speaking test goes for about 11-14 minutes.
At the time of the test, you will take Listening, Reading and Writing tasks all in one go without any breaks. The Speaking task will be taken separately. Depending on the test centre your Speaking task may be taken on the same day or on another day, before or after the other tests.
IELTS Computer Based Test
Nowadays in many countries, computer-based IELTS can be taken in many countries for Listening, Writing and Reading tasks.
The advantage of taking a computer-based test is that you get more date availabilities and receive the test result sooner, generally in five to seven days.
The structure and timing of the computer-based IELTS test are the same as the paper-based test.
The Speaking task is always taken face-to-face by a certified IELTS examiner, the same as in the paper-based test.