IELTS, explained in 6 quick stops Read a little, then check yourself. Your answers stay on this device, so you can come back and test your memory again.
Which IELTS is yours?
The big idea
Listening and Speaking are the same for everyone. Reading and Writing depend on why you need IELTS.
What is your plan? Tap one.
Your match shows up here.
Your match: IELTS Academic
Universities want proof you can handle academic reading and writing.
Your match: IELTS Academic
Medical and nursing councils ask for the Academic test.
Your match: IELTS General Training
Migration offices check the English of everyday life.
Your match: IELTS General Training
Usually General Training. Confirm with your employer first.
Your match: IELTS for UKVI
Same test content, taken at approved centres. Your visa decides Academic or General.
IELTS Academic
- Reading
- Long texts from books, journals and magazines
- Writing Task 1
- Describe a chart, graph, map or process
IELTS General Training
- Reading
- Everyday texts: notices, adverts and work documents
- Writing Task 1
- Write a letter, formal or friendly
Quick check
No scrolling up. Did it stick?
Which two parts are exactly the same in Academic and General Training?
First try! That one is stored. Got it this time. Now it will stick.
Only Reading and Writing change with the version. Listening and Speaking are identical.
Next stopNot quite. Mistakes like this help memory, honestly.
Think of the parts that test everyday listening and talking. Those never change.
What happens on test day?
The big idea
About 2 hours 45 minutes in total. Three parts back to back, and Speaking can be on another day.
Tap a part to see what is inside.
Back to back, no breaks: 2 h 30 min
Same day, or up to 7 days apart
Listening
4 parts, 40 questions, about 30 minutes
Train your ear for accents, signposting and distractors in everyday and academic talks.
Explore ListeningReading
3 passages, 40 questions, 60 minutes
Skim, scan and find answers fast in True/False/Not Given, headings and completion tasks.
Explore ReadingWriting
2 tasks, 60 minutes
Plan, structure and polish Task 1 reports and Task 2 essays with examiner-style feedback.
Explore WritingSpeaking
3 parts, 11 to 14 minutes
Speak fluently and confidently with cue card practice, recordings and teacher feedback.
Explore SpeakingQuick check
No scrolling up. Did it stick?
Which part of the test can happen on a different day?
First try! That one is stored. Got it this time. Now it will stick.
Speaking can be on the same day or up to a week before or after. The other three run back to back.
Next stopNot quite. Mistakes like this help memory, honestly.
Three parts run back to back without breaks. Which one is face to face with an examiner?
Paper or computer: what changes?
The big idea
Same test, same difficulty, same scoring. You just click and type instead of using a pencil.
Myth or fact? Guess first, then flip.
Myth or fact?
The computer test is harder than paper.
Myth or fact?
You get 10 extra minutes to transfer Listening answers.
Myth or fact?
You can highlight text and take notes on screen.
Myth or fact?
Speaking is done with a computer too.
Myth or fact?
Results arrive in 1 to 5 days.
Myth or fact?
Some centres let you handwrite the Writing test.
Quick check
No scrolling up. Did it stick?
On the computer test, how long do you get to check your Listening answers at the end?
First try! That one is stored. Got it this time. Now it will stick.
About 2 minutes. Your answers go straight in, so there is nothing to transfer.
Next stopNot quite. Mistakes like this help memory, honestly.
The paper test gives 10 minutes to copy answers across. On a computer you type straight in, so you need less.
How do band scores work?
The big idea
Each skill gets a band from 0 to 9. Your overall band is the average, rounded to the nearest half.
Mix your own band
Tap + and - for each skill and watch the overall move.
The rounding rules
Overall band
- 9 Expert user
- 8 Very good user
- 7 Good user
- 6 Competent user
- 5 Modest user
- 4 Limited user
Full operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.
Fully operational command with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies.
Operational command, though with occasional inaccuracies and misunderstandings in some situations.
Generally effective command despite some inaccuracies; can use fairly complex language in familiar situations.
Partial command; copes with overall meaning in most situations but makes many mistakes.
Basic competence limited to familiar situations; frequent problems with understanding and expression.
Quick check
No scrolling up. Did it stick?
Listening 6.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 5, Speaking 7. What is the overall band?
First try! That one is stored. Got it this time. Now it will stick.
The average is 6.25, and .25 rounds up to the next half band, so the overall is 6.5.
Next stopNot quite. Mistakes like this help memory, honestly.
Add them up and divide by 4. Then round to the nearest half band, and remember that .25 rounds up.
How do I book in Bangladesh?
The big idea
Book with the British Council or IDP, and give yourself 6 to 8 weeks to prepare.
Who runs it
British Council and IDP
Where
Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna and more
Fee in 2026
About BDT 28,000-31,000
Fees change. Confirm on the official booking page.
Your booking checklist
0/5 doneQuick check
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What must match between your booking and test day?
First try! That one is stored. Got it this time. Now it will stick.
Register with the same passport you will bring on test day, or you may not be allowed to sit the test.
Next stopNot quite. Mistakes like this help memory, honestly.
It is the document the centre checks at the door.
How do I prepare in 6 weeks?
The big idea
Learn the test, practise under time, then finish with full mock tests.
Weeks 1-2
Diagnose & build foundations
Take a diagnostic Listening and Reading test, learn the question types and start a vocabulary deck.
Start the basics quizWeeks 3-4
Practise skills under time
Two timed tests per week, one essay every other day, and daily speaking recordings.
Practise by question typeWeeks 5-6
Full mocks & feedback
Complete full mock tests, act on teacher feedback and polish your weakest skill.
Take a full mock testQuick check
No scrolling up. Did it stick?
When should full mock tests become your main focus?
First try! That one is stored. Got it this time. Now it will stick.
Weeks 5 and 6. By then you know the question types and can use mocks to polish your weakest skill.
Next stopNot quite. Mistakes like this help memory, honestly.
First learn the question types, then build speed. Full mocks come last.
Trail complete
You reached the summit!
Come back in a day or two and take the checks again. Remembering after a gap is what moves facts into long-term memory.
Almost at the summit
6 stops to go
Clear every quick check to finish the trail. Wrong answers are fine, just try again.
Go to the next stop