The Listening test at a glance
IELTS Listening has four parts and 40 questions, and takes about 30 minutes. You hear each recording once only. On the computer-delivered test you get 2 minutes at the end to check your answers; on paper you get 10 minutes to transfer them to the answer sheet.
- Part 1: a conversation between two people in an everyday situation, such as booking a course or reporting a lost item. Often a form or note to complete.
- Part 2: one speaker in an everyday context, such as a guide describing a site. Map and plan questions often appear here.
- Part 3: a discussion between two or three people in an academic setting, such as students planning a project with a tutor.
- Part 4: a lecture on an academic subject, with no break in the middle.
The parts get harder as you go. Around 30 correct answers out of 40 typically gives band 7.
Accents: getting used to British voices
Students in Guwahati hear a lot of English, but often Indian English, American media or regional news. IELTS recordings include a range of native-speaker accents, and British voices are common. Our 88 practice sets are recorded with British voices, covering all four parts: forms, maps and plans, multiple choice, two- and three-speaker discussions and lectures.
If British accents feel fast, start with Part 1 sets, which are slower and more predictable, and listen to British radio podcasts for 15 minutes a day to tune your ear.
Spelling and numbers: where easy marks disappear
A correct answer that is misspelt is marked wrong. Watch for:
- Spelled-out names. Speakers spell surnames and street names letter by letter. Practise the alphabet in English, especially the vowels A, E and I, and confusing pairs like G and J.
- Numbers. "Fifteen" and "fifty", "thirteen" and "thirty" sound close. Listen for the stress: fif-TEEN versus FIF-ty.
- Dates and prices. Write them in a clear format, and check whether the answer includes a currency symbol already printed in the question.
- Plurals. If the speaker says "tickets", "ticket" is wrong.
- Word limits. "NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS" means three words is wrong even if correct in meaning.
Maps, plans and following the order
Map and plan questions in Part 2 ask you to label places as a speaker describes a route or layout. Before the audio starts, find the starting point, note the compass directions and read the labels. Learn the language of location: "opposite", "next to", "at the far end", "on your left as you enter", "beyond the car park".
The good news is that answers follow the question order, as in the real test. If you miss question 14, do not freeze; move straight to question 15 and keep listening. Our sets follow the same principle, so you can train this habit.
Practising Listening around Guwahati life
Listening needs focus and quiet, which can be tricky in a busy household, a hostel near Jalukbari or a flat close to a main road with constant horns.
- Use good headphones. Over-ear headphones block background noise and match the computer test, where candidates usually wear headsets.
- Pick quiet times. Early morning or late evening often works best.
- Do one complete set at a time, without pausing, so you build concentration for the full 30 minutes.
- Check answers immediately. Listening and Reading are scored instantly, and wrong answers are saved in your Mistake Notebook.
- Re-listen with the questions after marking, to understand what you missed and why.
Common errors, and how to fix them
- Writing the first answer you hear. Speakers often correct themselves: "Tuesday... no, actually Wednesday works better." Wait for the final answer.
- Choosing a multiple-choice option because the words match. Options often repeat words from the recording but change the meaning.
- Losing your place in Part 4. Follow the headings in the notes; they tell you where the lecture is going.
- Running out of steam. Part 4 comes when concentration drops. Full mocks build that stamina.
When standard sets become comfortable, move to the harder Charged Listening sets, designed for students aiming at band 7 and above.
Start your Listening practice
Try a free sample set on the practice tests page or register free to sit the full sample mock. Full Access, ₹999 for 2 months, unlocks all 88 Listening sets. Regular IELTS Listening practice with honest checking is one of the most reliable ways to raise your overall band.