IELTS Study Guide — Academic & General Training

200+ High-Yield Concepts for the IELTS Exam (Format, Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking)

A focused, high-yield format-and-strategy review for the IELTS Academic and General Training tests — 200+ high-yield concepts (205 total, each with key facts, a strategy tip, and an original example) organized in 22 sections across 4 parts. Part 1 — Test Basics and Delivery (45): what IELTS is, Academic vs General Training, paper vs computer delivery, results and scores. Part 2 — Listening and Reading (55): Listening format and 6 question types; Academic Reading 3 sections and 11 question types; General Training Reading. Part 3 — Writing (55): Task 1 Academic (visual description, ≥150 words), Task 1 General Training (letter with 3 bullet points), Task 2 essay (≥250 words, more weight), the 4 assessment criteria, penalties. Part 4 — Speaking (50): 3 parts, task card with 1-minute prep, the 4 fluency criteria. Includes a verified format snapshot sourced from live ielts.org pages on 2026-09-18: four sections ~2h45 total (Listening ~30 min/40 questions, recording played once, Reading 60 min/40 questions, Writing 60 min/two tasks, Speaking 11-14 min/3 parts), band scale 1-9 in whole and half bands, overall band = average of the four section bands rounded to the nearest half, no pass/fail (institutions set their own required bands), results in 5 days (computer) or 13 days (paper), and a two-year validity recommendation. Independent study companion — not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia Pty Ltd, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, or IELTS. 'IELTS' is a trademark of the IELTS owners. This guide reproduces no IELTS test material. Confirm current format, delivery options and fees at ielts.org before booking.