The four parts
Per ielts.org, the questions follow the order of the recording, so the answer to question 1 comes before the answer to question 2. Different accents are used, including British, Australian, New Zealand and North American; the British Council adds Irish to that list.
| Part | Setting | Speakers | ielts.org example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Everyday social | Conversation between two people | Travel arrangements |
| 2 | Everyday social | One main speaker | A speech about local facilities |
| 3 | Education or training | Two main speakers | Two students, perhaps guided by a tutor |
| 4 | Academic | One speaker | A talk on an academic subject |
The six question types
ielts.org lists six question types. The number of questions of each type varies from test to test, so you cannot predict the mix (ielts.org).
| Question type | What you do |
|---|---|
| Multiple choice | Choose one answer from three, or more than one from a longer list |
| Matching | Match items from the recording to a list of options |
| Plan, map or diagram labelling | Label a plan, map, diagram or set of pictures, choosing from a list |
| Form, note, table or flow-chart completion | Fill gaps in an outline, from a list or with words from the recording |
| Sentence completion | Fill a gap in each sentence with information from the recording |
| Short-answer questions | Answer a question with a short answer from the recording |
Know your target? Check where you stand
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock and see your score per skill before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free scored IELTS mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
Word limits: the easiest marks to lose
Gap-fill tasks give a word limit such as "NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER", and the limit changes between tasks. You lose the mark if you write more than the limit. Contracted words such as "they're" are not tested, and hyphenated words such as "check-in" count as one word. You do not need to change the words you hear (ielts.org).
Read the instruction above every task, not just the first one. A correct answer over the limit scores zero.
How many marks you need for each band
Each correct answer is worth one mark and the score out of 40 is converted to the 9-band scale, in whole or half bands. ielts.org publishes the average marks needed; the exact number varies slightly between test versions (ielts.org). Try your own raw score in the band score calculator.
| Band | Average marks out of 40 |
|---|---|
| 5 | 16 |
| 6 | 23 |
| 7 | 30 |
| 8 | 35 |
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in IELTS Listening?+
40 questions in four parts of 10, answered in about 30 minutes.
Can I listen to the IELTS Listening recording twice?+
No. ielts.org says you hear the recordings once only.
Is IELTS Listening the same for Academic and General Training?+
Yes. Both versions take the same Listening test; only Reading and Writing differ.
How many correct answers do I need for band 7 in Listening?+
On average 30 out of 40, per ielts.org. The exact number varies slightly by test version.
What happens if I write more words than the limit?+
You lose the mark for that question, even if the words are correct.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS Listening: from 6.5 to 8
- IELTS Reading test format
- How the IELTS score is calculated
- Free IELTS mock test with band score
- All 1066 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 11 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy