Master IELTS General Training
Learn the format, then practise Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking with a fresh, randomly-generated test every single time you sit down.
Your estimated band
Based on your practice history. Keep going to improve it!
Practise the 4 skills
Listening
~30 min · 4 recordings · 40 Qs
Reading
60 min · 3 sections · 40 Qs
Writing
60 min · letter + essay
Speaking
11–14 min · 3 parts
Every attempt is a unique test
Questions are pulled from a large bank, shuffled, and re-ordered each time — so you and your friend never get the same test twice.
What is IELTS? (General Training)
Everything a first-timer needs: the format, scoring, how to register, and exam-day precautions — in plain language.
The 4 parts of the test
Total time: about 2 hours 45 minutes. Listening, Reading and Writing are done back-to-back; Speaking may be scheduled separately.
Academic vs General Training
Both test the same 4 skills. Listening and Speaking are identical. The difference is in Reading (General uses everyday/workplace texts) and Writing Task 1 (General = a letter; Academic = describing a graph). For most migration visas, choose General Training.
How scoring works: the 9-band scale
You get a score from 0 to 9 for each skill, then an overall band (the average, rounded to the nearest half). Most visas ask for a specific band — often 6.0 ("Competent") or higher, but always check your exact visa requirement.
| Band | Level | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Expert | Fully fluent, accurate, natural. |
| 8 | Very good | Fully operational with occasional slips. |
| 7 | Good | Handles complex language well; some errors. |
| 6 | Competent | Effective despite some inaccuracies. Common visa target |
| 5 | Modest | Partial command; copes with basic meaning. |
| 4 & below | Limited | Frequent breakdowns in communication. |
Paper vs computer-delivered
You can take IELTS on paper or on a computer at the test centre. Content and scoring are identical. Computer-delivered usually has faster results (3–5 days) and more dates. Speaking is face-to-face with a real examiner either way.
How to register & take the exam — step by step
⚠️ Precautions & exam-day tips
Listening Practice
Press Play to hear a randomly-chosen recording (your browser reads it aloud), then answer. A fresh set loads every attempt.
Reading Practice — General Training
Read the passage and answer. Every attempt loads a different passage with shuffled questions.
Writing Practice — General Training
Task 1 is a letter, Task 2 is an essay. Prompts are randomly picked each time — hit “New prompt” for a fresh one.
Words: 0
Show a model answer & tips
Words: 0
Show a model answer & tips
Self-assessment checklist (IELTS marking criteria)
Speaking Practice
Questions and cue cards are randomly drawn each time. Record yourself and play it back to improve.
Part 1 — Introduction & familiar topics (4–5 min)
Answer these out loud in 2–3 sentences each.
Part 2 — Cue card (long turn, ~2 min)
You get 1 minute to prepare, then speak for up to 2 minutes.
🎤 Record & play back your answer
Record yourself, then listen back to spot hesitations and pronunciation issues.
Part 3 — Discussion (4–5 min)
Full Mock Test
A full IELTS is Listening → Reading → Writing → Speaking under timed conditions. Use this as a dress rehearsal.
Log your mock result
Your Progress
Track your estimated band and review every practice you've completed.
Estimated overall band
Current estimate: – / 9