What are the IELTS test components and what score do I need for admission for a Master's?
14 Aug 2026 · Answered by Komal Yadav · 1 min read
The IELTS Academic test has four components: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
- Listening (30 minutes): Listen to four recordings and answer 40 questions.
- Reading (60 minutes): Answer 40 questions based on three long academic texts.
- Writing (60 minutes): Complete two tasks - describe visual data and write an essay.
- Speaking (11 - 14 minutes): Face-to-face interview with an examiner, covering personal and abstract topics.
Each section is scored from 0 to 9. For Master's admission, universities typically require an overall band score of 6.0 - 7.0, with no section usually below 6.0. Requirements can vary by university and program.
What IELTS band do universities actually need?
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