How long is the listening test?

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The listening takes about 30 minutes. For the paper test, you get an extra 10 minutes to transfer your answers to an answer sheet. For the the computer test, you only get 2 extra minutes at the end to check your answers. 

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How many sections are there in the listening test?

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There are four sections in the listening test.

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What are the differences between the sections?

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Sections 1 and 2 deal with social situations. 

Sections 3 and 4 deal with academic situations. 

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How many questions are there in the listening test?

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There are 40 questions in the listening test. 

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Is there a difference between General Training and Academic IELTS listening test?

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No, they do the same test. 

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Is it through speakers or headphones?

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For the computer test, it is always headphones. These days, for paper test, it is mostly Bluetooth headphones, but some centres may still use a speaker. 

 

How many times do I get to hear the recording?

 

You will only hear the recording once.

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How much time to I get to prepare?

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You get 30 seconds at the beginning and middle of sections 1, 2, and 3.

You get 30 seconds only at the beginning of section 4. 

You get 30 seconds at the end of every section to check your answers, you can use this time to prepare the next section.

 

Is spelling important?

 

Words must be spelt correctly. Please note that differences between British and American spelling do not matter. 

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What accents can I expect to hear in the listening test?

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They use a range of native speaking accents. A lot used are British, so if you aren't comfortable with the British accent, it is a good idea to get more used to it. 

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