Prepare for IELTS Academic
Practice Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Learn in focused drills, then bring the four skills together in a timed Academic test.
Nine focused drills · Three original full forms · One IELTS pass
Try an Academic Reading question
Researchers studying city gardens grew the same variety of tomato in two rooms. They kept one group in natural light and another under lamps, so they could isolate the effect of light on growth. Both groups received the same amount of water.
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Practice drills
Choose a drill to start practicing that task. Check the worked answers in Listening and Reading; compare your Writing and Speaking with models and clear feedback.
Listening: catch the details
Listen for names, numbers and exact information. Complete forms, notes and short answers, then check the transcript and evidence.
5 questions · Short audio drill
Listening: choose and match
Follow meaning through choices, matching and map labels. Learn to spot a speaker correcting an earlier detail.
5 questions · Short audio drill
Reading: find the details
Locate evidence in an academic passage. Practice choices, completion and short answers with word limits.
5 questions · About 5–10 minutes
Reading: claims and headings
Separate a contradiction from missing information. Match headings and details using evidence across the passage.
5 questions · About 5–10 minutes
Writing: describe a visual
Write a clear overview and select the main comparisons in an original chart, map or process. Review a model and task-specific feedback.
1 task · Aim for 20 minutes
Writing: build an argument
Answer every part of an essay prompt. Develop a position with reasons and examples, then review the writing criteria.
1 essay · Aim for 40 minutes
Speaking: familiar topics
Practice direct answers with a reason or example. Record your response or type an answer to work on its content.
2–3 prompts · Short response drill
Speaking: the long turn
Use one minute to plan a task card, then speak for up to two minutes. Review how your ideas connect.
1 task card · 1-minute planning + 2-minute talk
Speaking: discuss ideas
Move from a personal example to a wider question. Explain causes, compare views and qualify your claims.
2–3 prompts · Discussion drill
An IELTS pass unlocks every drill replay and all timed practice.
Timed tests
Take all four skills or focus on one timed section. Answers and explanations stay hidden until the practice ends. Full and section practice require an IELTS pass.
40 Listening questions · 40 Reading questions
2 Writing tasks · 3 Speaking parts
Full IELTS Academic practice
Complete Listening, Academic Reading, both Writing tasks and all three Speaking parts. Review each skill separately, with evidence, models and saved results.
4 skills · About 2 hours 45 minutes
Timed Listening
Four recordings, played once, with 40 questions. Review answers, transcripts and supporting evidence after the section.
40 questions · About 30 minutes + 2-minute check
Timed Academic Reading
Three original passages with 40 questions. Use one continuous clock to read, answer and check.
40 questions · 60 minutes
Timed Academic Writing
Complete a visual report and an essay. Task 2 carries twice the weight of Task 1 in the official Writing result.
2 tasks · 60 minutes
Timed Speaking practice
Work through familiar questions, a task card and a deeper discussion. This recorded practice uses prompts in place of a live examiner.
3 parts · Up to 14 minutes
One IELTS pass covers both Academic and General Training, including all timed tests and drill replays.
Know what each skill asks of you
| Skill | What you do | Official timing |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | Answer 40 questions across four recordings, heard once. | About 30 minutes; computer tests add 2 minutes to check answers. |
| Academic Reading | Read three extended texts and answer 40 questions. | 60 minutes, including checking. |
| Academic Writing | Describe a visual in at least 150 words; write an essay of at least 250 words. | 60 minutes: about 20 for Task 1 and 40 for Task 2. |
| Speaking | Interview, prepared long turn and discussion with a human examiner. | 11–14 minutes. |
This practice uses computer-style Listening checking time. It does not add the former paper test’s 10-minute answer-transfer period. Delivery options changed in 2026; check your test center’s current arrangements.
Explore the format and task typesSee why an answer works
Listening and Reading explanations point to the exact evidence. Writing models show an overview or an argument; Speaking models show how to extend and connect ideas. Use the feedback to choose your next task.
Learn with worked examplesPlan around your required bands
Check the exact overall and individual skill requirements for your receiving organization or application route. A practice estimate helps you review your work; it cannot establish that you meet an official requirement.
Understand bands and feedbackCommon questions
Does this cover IELTS Academic or General Training?
This page is for IELTS Academic. Choose General Training above for everyday and workplace Reading and letter-writing Task 1. Both tracks share Listening, Speaking and essay practice, and one IELTS pass covers both.
What can I try without a pass?
The example question and study guide are open to everyone. Each practice card shows your available drill attempt. An IELTS pass unlocks drill replays, timed sections and full practice tests.
What does one IELTS pass include?
One IELTS pass covers Academic and General Training: full practice, all timed sections and unlimited focused-drill replays for your selected access period. Listening, Speaking and essay practice are shared, so changing tracks does not create extra free attempts at those drills.
How many full practice forms are available?
The initial library contains three original Academic forms. Drills and timed sections draw from these forms, so some material can repeat. Review familiar material as rehearsal, then use a different form to check your skills.
Is a practice band an official IELTS score?
No. Listening and Reading use an original answer key with an indicative practice conversion. Writing and Speaking feedback is automated coaching, not examiner marking or an official result. It cannot guarantee a band, admission or professional eligibility.
Original independent preparation. Not affiliated with or endorsed by IELTS, the British Council, IDP or Cambridge. IELTS is a trademark of its respective owners.