IELTS Test Online: Free Sample Papers & Study Guide for 2024

The IELTS is a standardised language proficiency test accepted across 140 countries worldwide. The IELTS exam is offered in two different types: Academic and General.

The IELTS Academic is for students who plan to study abroad, whereas IELTS General is for people who wish to work or migrate to an English-speaking country.

You can attend the test either through a computer-delivered or a paper-delivered method. 

An overview of the IELTS exam is given.

Conducting Body	IELTS IDP
Test Type	– IELTS Academic – IELTS General – IELTS UKVI – IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1)
Test Mode	– Computer-based – Paper-based
Test Duration	2 hours 44 minutes
Number of Questions	Reading – 40 questions Listening – 40 questions Speaking – 3 parts Writing – 2 tasks
Band Score Range	0-9

Proper preparation is important to crack the IELTS on time. Attempting more sample papers, mock tests, and other IELTS resources will help you score well on your IELTS test.

Mock tests are a great way to familiarise yourself with the exam pattern and question types. Practising sample papers will help you understand how to manage time during exams and this will assist you during the actual IELTS test.

If you want to practice IELTS tests online, here is a complete study guide for your IELTS preparation, including the exam pattern, tips, and a 60-day IELTS study timetable. 

IELTS Exam Pattern 2024

The IELTS Exam assesses your English language capabilities. The overall duration of the test is 2 hours and 44 minutes.

The IELTS has four modules: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. The objectives, duration, number of questions, and question type vary across each module.

Each module is marked on a scale of 0-9. Your overall score for the IELTS is an average of these four modules.

Let us look into each part in detail. 

IELTS Reading Pattern

The IELTS Reading section consists of three parts and 40 questions. Each part features a passage, followed by its questions.

The passages and question types differ between the Academic Reading and General Reading tests. 

Common question types include:

• Multiple Choice Questions
• Matching Headings
• True or False Questions
• Table Completion
• Flow Chart Completion 
• Sentence Completion

Below is an overview of the IELTS Reading Test.

Total Duration	60 minutes
Number of sections	3
Number of questions	40
Marking	Each correct answer receives 1 mark
Band Score Range	0–9

The most efficient practice to master the IELTS Reading test is to attempt more sample papers and mock tests. 

IELTS Writing Pattern

The IELTS Writing section consists of two tasks, and the test duration is one hour. The tasks vary across the Academic and General Writing tests. 

Academic Writing Task 1 asks you to describe some visual information (graph, table, chart or diagram), while General Writing Task 1 asks you to draft a letter for a particular situation.

Writing task 2 is an essay question for both tests where you must write your point of view on a given problem/situation. 

• Task 1 – Complete in a minimum of 150 words
• Task 2 – Complete in a minimum of 250 words

Below is an overview of the IELTS Writing Test.

Total Duration	60 minutes
Number of Tasks	2
Band Score Range	0–9

There is no maximum word limit for your writing tasks. However, make sure that you meet the minimum word requirement for each task.

IELTS Listening Pattern

The IELTS Listening test remains the same for both Academic and General tests. The Listening test contains four parts. Each part consists of a recording followed by ten questions. 

• Recording 1 plays a conversation set in an everyday social context.
• Recording 2 plays a monologue set in an everyday social context.
• Recording 3 plays a conversation set in an educational or training context.
• Recording 4 plays a monologue on an academic subject.

Below is an overview of the IELTS Listening Test.

Total Duration	40 minutes (including 10 mins transfer time)
Number of sections	4
Number of questions	40
Marking	Each correct answer receives 1 mark
Band Score Range	0–9

The IELTS Listening test uses a variety of accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand and North American. You can attempt more sample tests to get familiar with the accents. 

IELTS Speaking Pattern

The IELTS Speaking test is a face-to-face section between the test taker and the examiner. During this section, the examiner analyses your speaking abilities through a variety of tasks.

The IELTS Listening test consists of three parts.

• Part 1: Introduction and questions on familiar topics (4-5 minutes)
• Part 2: Individual long turn (3-4 minutes)
• Part 3: Two-way discussion (4-5 minutes)

Below is an overview of the IELTS Speaking Test.

Total Duration	11-14 minutes
Number of sections	3
Band Score Range	0–9

The IELTS Speaking test intends to analyse your English speaking abilities. You can improve your speaking skills by practising more IELTS practice papers and mock tests.

IELTS Study Plan: Timetable for 2 Months

Drafting a good study plan is extremely important while preparing for an exam. Creating an organised study plan with proper direction and learning objectives is essential. 

You must implement your plan by giving equal importance to your daily study routine, practice time, and revision sessions. Additionally, make sure you spare extra time to reflect on your journey and make essential changes. 

We have drafted a 60-day study guide for you to track your IELTS preparation. This will help you schedule your studies and keep track of your progress.

Check out the 60-day IELTS study guide below. 

Preliminary Preparation for IELTS

Before starting your weekly preparation, schedule 1-2 days to develop a general awareness of the IELTS. You can use this period to learn about the basic facts on the test. This will give a direction for your upcoming plans. 

Use this time for the following activities:

• Get an overview of the test
• Understand the exam pattern, question types and other general information 
• Learn about the score scales and check for any latest updates on IELTS

Week 1-2: IELTS Reading Preparation

Week one and two of your IELTS study plan is for IELTS Reading preparation. Start by understanding the basic structure of the Reading test. 

Use this time for the following activities:

• Read English newspapers, magazines, and novels every day 
• Focus on vocabulary: underline new words, and find their meaning and usage
• Try using new words in sentences, or while speaking 
• While reading, try skimming and scanning for information
• Solve IELTS Reading sample papers
• Evaluate your test paper and find your weak spots
• Try attempting mock tests within the test duration
• Revise vocabulary regularly 

Check out the table below for more details. 

Focus Points	– Grammar – Vocabulary – Punctuation – Spelling – Tense
IELTS Books for Reading Test	– The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS – Barron’s IELTS Superpack – Simone Braverman’s Target Band 7 – IELTS Reading Tests (Academic Module) by McCarter Sam – IELTS Academic Reading: Latest IELTS Academic Reading Tests (Advanced-level) 2023 by Darshan Singh

Week 3-4: IELTS Writing Preparation

Week 3 and 4 of your IELTS study plan is for IELTS Writing preparation. Start by understanding the basic structure of the Writing section.

Use this time for the following activities:

•  Fix a daily writing section, write every day on a specific topic and evaluate it yourself. 
• Check for spelling mistakes while writing, and reduce your score for each error
• Learn new words, and use them in your daily writing section. Substitute regular words with their synonyms
• Learn the format for various text types, such as essays, and letters. Compare and contrast their writing styles
• Increase your writing speed gradually 
• Learn the usage of different parts of speech, such as conjunctions, adjectives, and adverbs. Use them in your writing. 
• Read new and relevant topics, and write on them 
• Attempt more IELTS Writing sample papers

Check out the table below.

Focus Points	– Grammar – Tense – Punctuation – Spelling  – Vocabulary – Parts of Speech – Synonyms & Antonyms – Word Order  – Coherence
IELTS Books for Writing Test	– The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS – IELTS Writing Task 1 and 2: Academic and General by Mike Wattie – Target Band 7: IELTS Academic Module: How to Maximize Your Score – The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS by Pauline Cullen, Amanda French, and Vanessa Jakeman – IELTS Writing Task 2: 99 Essays Band 8 by Ryan T. Higgins

Week 4-5: IELTS Speaking Preparation

Week 4 and 5 of your IELTS study plan is for IELTS Speaking preparation. Start by understanding the basic structure of the Speaking section.

Use this time for the following activities:

• Fix a topic every day, stand in front of a mirror and 
• practice speaking on the topic 
• Choose a topic and discuss/debate it with your friend
• Try to communicate in English as much as possible, you can speak to yourself in English
• Learn new words, their meaning, and pronunciation. Use them in your speech
• Listen to interviews, understand how to develop arguments, and put them into speech
• Attend more IELTS Speaking Sample Papers

Check out the table below.

Focus Points	– Grammar – Fluency – Accuracy – Coherence  – Tense
IELTS Books for Speaking Test	– Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic with Answers: Authentic Examination Papers – Ultimate Guide To IELTS Speaking – IELTS Speaking 2023: Latest Speaking Topics for IELTS  – Speaking From The Past Exams – IELTS Speaking: Success in 5 Steps

Week 6-7: IELTS Listening Preparation

 Week 6-7 of your IELTS study plan is for IELTS Listening preparation. Start by understanding the basic structure of the Listening section.

Use this time for the following activities:

•  Listen to podcasts, or English news channels daily
• On listening to English audio clips, try to understand the words used
• Try listening to podcasts with different accents, and note their difference in pronunciation 
• Practice note-making while listening to audio clips
• If finding it difficult to understand a word, use subtitles or captions to understand the new word, its pronunciation, meaning and usage
• Practice more IELTS Listening Sample Papers

Check out the table below.

Focus Points	– Grammar – Spelling – Punctuation – Accents
IELTS Books for Listening Test	– Comprehensive IELTS Listening Band 8 Preparation Course – IELTS Academic + General Test: Listening Book by Career Launcher – Target Band 7: IELTS Academic Module – How to Maximize Your Score (Fourth Edition) – Barron’s IELTS Superpack- 15 Days’ Practice for IELTS Listening

Week 8: Final Revision

This is the final week of your IELTS study plan. Use this time for your revision. Find your difficult parts and prioritise them during this time. 

Use this time for the following activities:

• Revise all the sections you covered
• Practice 4 sections back to back
• Attempt complete Mock Tests every day

You can tailor the study plan according to your weak and strong points. For example, if you have strong writing skills, then cut short your preparation time for the writing test. Instead, replace it with other modules that you need more practice for.

Having a study plan can help you a lot in achieving your goal. Try to keep your plan realistic to avoid burnout. Do not forget to treat yourself to free hours occasionally.

Tips for IELTS Preparation

Typically, IELTS Experts recommend a preparation time of 6-8 weeks. Essential preparation time may vary from person to person depending on several factors, such as your current level, language aptitude, motivation and learning strategies.

While it is important to maintain regular learning practice, it is equally important to make sure that your learning methodologies are efficient enough. 

Let us look at some practices that will help your IELTS preparation.

• Understand the Test Pattern: The IELTS Test consists of four sections, and each of the sections is equally valued. It is important to understand the test pattern of each section, including their test duration, number of questions, and question types. Understanding the test and its objective will help you score better. 
• Communicate in English: Try to communicate with your English-speaking friends, to get familiar with the language usages and styles in English. Use English in your daily life, and try communicating your ideas in it. 
• Cultivate a Healthy Reading Habit: Read anything that entertains you, such as magazines, novels or short stories. Regular reading habits will help you to develop your vocabulary. This is a longer process, however, it will help you in the long run. 
• Listen to English Clips: Watch English movies, or listen to radio podcasts or songs in English. 
• Familiarise Yourself with Accents: The IELTS Listening test uses a variety of accents that include British, Australian, New Zealand, American and Canadian accents. So, try to listen to audio clips in different accents and note the difference in pronunciation in each of them. 
• Learn the Pronunciation of Alphabet: During your Listening test, some questions might ask you to write down words that are spelt in the recording played. In this case, you need to be well aware of the pronunciation of each alphabet. For example, the alphabet ‘W’ is pronounced as “double-U”.
• Proper Time Management: On attempting mock tests, or practice questions, keep track of your time. Try to finish your mock tests within the given time for each section. 
• Stick to Exam Instructions: Even while attempting mock tests, or other sample papers, strictly adhere to the exam instructions. Try to limit your answers within the prescribed word limit, and adhere to other regulations. This will help you to perform your actual test better. 
• Regular Practice: Instead of overworking on a single day, try to study regularly. You can choose your study hours according to your preferences. However, make sure you practice regularly. 
• Get Good Guidance: You can get numerous IELTS resources online. However, it is important to ensure that you get authentic materials, from credible sources. You can get proper IELTS study materials, classes, and practice questions from Leap IELTS Experts. 

Tips for IELTS Exam Day

The first rule for your IELTS exam day is, not to panic. You can reach your exam centre early, to cool off a little bit.

Also consider rechecking the test centre location, test time, and date, a few days before the test day. This will reassure you. 

Here are some important instructions for your IELTS exam day:

• Bring your ID: On your test day, bring your passport or national ID to the test centre. Bring the same ID that you used while registering for the test. You cannot enter the exam hall without your identity proof. 
• Read the Exam Instructions Carefully: Make sure you read the exam instructions carefully. For each section of your IELTS test, there are specific regulations that need to be followed. Neglecting instructions while answering will waste your time and marks. 
• Stick to Word Limit: Note the word limits for each question type. If the question instruction says, ‘Write NO MORE THAN TWO Words’, then adhere to the word limit. Exceeding the word limit will make your answers incorrect.
• Time Navigation: Make sure you finish all the questions under the given time. Divide your exam time, equally, between the questions. Try to spare some time in the end to recheck your answers because spelling and grammar errors can reduce your score.
• Difficult Questions: Try to answer all the questions, as there is no negative marking for the IELTS test. However, do not spend too much time on a difficult question. Instead, skip the question. If you have time left in the end, pick them up later.
• Use Extra Transfer Time: If you are taking a paper-based IELTS test, then you will be given an extra 10 minutes to transfer your answers from the booklet to the answer sheet. However, this is not available for computer-based IELTS tests. 
• Seek Help If Needed: In case you find any difficulty with the test environment, then seek help from the examiner.  If you have any complaints regarding your test day, fill out and submit the Complaint Form as early as possible. 

Try to remain calm and concentrated throughout your IELTS test. Always remember the rule: Do your best, forget the rest. 

Bottom Line

While preparing for your IELTS exam, attempting both section-wise sample papers and full mock tests is important. This will help you understand the test pattern and also help you practice to attempt the test under the given time and instructions. 

There is no minimum or maximum preparation time for your IELTS test. The essential preparation period depends on several factors, such as your existing language proficiency, language acquisition ability, and daily time available for study. So, plan your IELTS test according to your priorities. If you find it difficult, feel free to contact our experts for proper guidance. 

Frequently Asked Questions