IELTS General Training cheat sheet

Four parts, 40 questions, about 30 minutes plus 10 minutes transfer time (paper) or 2 minutes (computer); each recording is played once only.

Part 1: conversation between two speakers in a social context; Part 2: monologue in a social context; Part 3: conversation of up to four speakers in an academic context; Part 4: academic monologue.

Question types include form/note/table/flow-chart completion, multiple choice, matching, map/plan/diagram labelling, and sentence completion; answers must be spelled correctly and within the word limit stated.

For map labelling, orient yourself using the compass rose or the stated entrance before the recording starts; pre-read labels and predict the type of language (e.g., 'opposite', 'next to', 'just past').

In multiple choice, options are often paraphrased in the recording; listen for the idea, not the exact words, and eliminate options that are contradicted or never mentioned.

Numbers, dates, and proper names are common in Part 1; write them as you hear them and check spelling during transfer time.

Signpost words (however, actually, in fact, on the other hand) often introduce corrections or the real answer; the first-mentioned detail may be a distractor.

Spelling counts: a correctly heard but misspelled word is marked wrong; practice writing days, months, and common surnames accurately.

Transfer time is for moving answers to the answer sheet; on computer, answers are typed directly and you have 2 minutes to check.

Three sections, 40 questions, 60 minutes; no extra transfer time, so answers must be written on the answer sheet as you go.

Section 1: two or three short factual texts (e.g., notices, advertisements); Section 2: two short work-related texts; Section 3: one longer discursive text.

Question types include multiple choice, identifying information (True/False/Not Given), matching headings, matching information, sentence completion, summary completion, and short-answer questions.

True/False/Not Given: True = statement agrees with the text; False = statement contradicts the text; Not Given = the information is neither confirmed nor contradicted.

Matching headings: skim each paragraph for its main idea before looking at the list; headings that repeat words from the text are often traps.

Answers must be copied exactly from the passage for completion tasks unless the instructions say 'in your own words'; respect the word limit.

Time allocation: roughly 20 minutes per section; do not spend too long on one question-mark it and move on.

Skimming (for gist) and scanning (for specific words/numbers) are the two core reading speeds; use them according to the question type.

Two tasks, 60 minutes total; Task 1 (letter) should take about 20 minutes and at least 150 words; Task 2 (essay) about 40 minutes and at least 250 words.

Task 1 is assessed on task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy; Task 2 uses the same criteria but task response instead of task achievement.

Task 1 letter types: formal (to someone you don't know), semi-formal (to someone you know slightly), and informal (to a friend); the tone and opening/closing must match.

Task 1 must address all bullet points in the prompt and clearly state the purpose of the letter in the opening paragraph.

Task 2 essay types include opinion (agree/disagree), discussion (both views), problem-solution, and two-part question; identify the type and answer all parts.

Task 2 must have a clear position throughout, supported by relevant examples; a memorised template that does not answer the question will limit the score.

Coherence and cohesion: use paragraphing logically and linking devices appropriately, but avoid mechanical overuse of 'Firstly, Secondly, Finally'.

Word count: under-length answers are penalised; aim for about 170 words (Task 1) and 270–290 words (Task 2) to be safe.

Spend 2–3 minutes planning before writing and 3–5 minutes checking for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

Three parts, 11–14 minutes: Part 1 (introduction and interview, 4–5 minutes), Part 2 (long turn, 3–4 minutes including 1 minute preparation), Part 3 (discussion, 4–5 minutes).

Part 1 covers familiar topics (home, work, study, hobbies); answers should be 2–3 sentences, not one-word responses.

Part 2: you receive a topic card with prompts and have 1 minute to prepare; you must talk for 1–2 minutes, then the examiner may ask one or two follow-up questions.

Part 3 questions are more abstract and require extended answers with reasons, examples, and comparisons; develop each answer for 3–4 sentences.

Assessment criteria: fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation; each is scored 0–9 and averaged.

Fluency includes speaking at a normal rate with natural pauses; memorised speeches often sound unnatural and may reduce the score.

Pronunciation features include individual sounds, word stress, sentence stress, and intonation; clarity matters more than accent.

In Part 2, use the preparation time to note keywords (not full sentences) and structure your talk with a beginning, middle, and end.

If you don't understand a question, ask the examiner to repeat or rephrase it; this does not affect your score.