If you're taking the IELTS General Training for migration or work, you need to know exactly what's on the test. No surprises. This page covers the full exam pattern: sections, timing, question count, marking scheme, and what counts as a 'pass'.
IELTS General Training: Four Sections
The test has four parts, always in the same order:
- Listening – 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes transfer time)
- Reading – 60 minutes
- Writing – 60 minutes
- Speaking – 11–14 minutes
Total test time: 2 hours 45 minutes. Speaking is often scheduled on a different day, but check your test centre's availability.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
#### Listening (30 mins + 10 mins transfer)
- Number of questions: 40
- Parts: 4 (each with 10 questions)
- Question types: Multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labelling, form/note/table/flowchart completion, sentence completion
- Recording: Played once only. You hear a range of accents (British, Australian, North American).
- Marking: 1 mark per correct answer. No negative marking. Raw score out of 40 is converted to a band score (0–9).
#### Reading (60 mins)
- Number of questions: 40
- Sections: 3 passages (total 2,150–2,750 words)
- Question types: Multiple choice, identifying information (True/False/Not Given), identifying writer's views (Yes/No/Not Given), matching headings/features/sentence endings, sentence/note/summary/flowchart/table completion, short-answer questions
- Marking: 1 mark per correct answer. Raw score out of 40 → band score. General Training Reading uses slightly different band score thresholds than Academic.
#### Writing (60 mins)
- Tasks: 2
- Task 1: Write a letter (personal, semi-formal, or formal) – 150 words minimum, 20 minutes recommended
- Task 2: Write an essay (discursive/argumentative) – 250 words minimum, 40 minutes recommended
- Marking: Task 2 is worth twice the marks of Task 1. Assessed on: Task Achievement, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range & Accuracy.
#### Speaking (11–14 mins)
- Parts: 3
- Part 1: Introduction & interview (4–5 mins) – questions about familiar topics (home, work, hobbies)
- Part 2: Long turn (3–4 mins) – you get a cue card, 1 minute to prepare, then speak for 1–2 minutes
- Part 3: Discussion (4–5 mins) – follow-up questions on Part 2 topic, more abstract
- Marking: Same 4 criteria as Writing: Fluency & Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range & Accuracy, Pronunciation.
Marking Scheme & Band Scores
Each section gives a band score from 0 to 9 (in half-band increments). Your Overall Band Score is the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest half band.
Example: Listening 7.5, Reading 7.0, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7.0 → average = 7.0 → Overall Band Score 7.0.
What is a 'Pass'?
There is no official pass/fail. Different organisations set their own requirements:
- UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI): Skilled Worker visa typically needs 4.0 in each skill. Family visa often needs 4.0 overall.
- Australian Department of Home Affairs: Skilled migration usually requires 6.0 in each band (Competent English).
- Canadian Express Entry: CLB 7 (IELTS 6.0 per band) for Federal Skilled Worker. CLB 9 (8.0/7.0/7.0/7.0) gives extra points.
- New Zealand: Skilled Migrant Category usually needs 6.5 overall.
Always check the specific visa or institution requirement. The test report form is valid for 2 years.
Take a free IELTS General Training demo mock to find out where you stand: <a href="/demo">Try the demo →</a>
How the Test is Scored
- Listening & Reading: Raw scores (out of 40) are mapped to band scores. For General Training Reading, a raw score of 23–29 typically gives a 6.0, 30–34 gives a 7.0, 35–38 gives a 8.0. (Exact thresholds vary slightly each test.)
- Writing & Speaking: Assessed by certified examiners using detailed performance descriptors. No computer marking for these sections.
Key Rules
- No negative marking – always guess if unsure.
- Penalty for underlength answers – Writing Task 1 and Task 2 must meet minimum word counts.
- Penalty for off-topic – Writing Task 2 must directly address the prompt.
- Speaking recorded – for quality assurance and possible re-marking.
Common Myths Debunked
- Myth: Speaking and Writing are marked harder than Listening and Reading. Truth: All sections use the same 9-band scale. Performance varies by individual.
- Myth: You need a perfect score to pass. Truth: Most requirements are band 6.0 or 6.5.
- Myth: The test is easier than IELTS Academic. Truth: Reading and Writing differ in content, but difficulty is comparable for the target band.
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