How to prepare for the IELTS Listening exam
The IELTS Listening test lasts for about 30 minutes and consists of four parts. The best way to
prepare is to know what is involved and how you will be evaluated, then to come up with a
strategy for success.
Both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General candidates take the same test and it is scored the
same way. You will hear each recording only once – never more, so listen carefully and take
notes. You may not use a dictionary.
The IELTS Listening Exam measures your ability to:
- Understand conversations and dialogs
- Recall points and main ideas from lectures
In Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking Exam, you will listen to a conversation between two people
attempting to carry out some type of transaction. Check out a sample test on the British
Council’s site:
https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-test/free-ielts-practice-tests/listening-practice-test-
1
In Part 2, you will hear a monologue where the speaker is giving a presentation or a guided
tour. Check out a sample test on the British Council’s site:
https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-test/free-sample-tests/listening-sample-test-
1/listening-section-2
In part 3, you may hear a student and teacher discussing an academic topic.
Check out a sample test on the British Council’s site:
https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-test/free-sample-tests/listening-sample-test-
1/listening-section-3
Part 4, generally involves a speech or lecture which you might expect to hear in a university
setting.
Check out a sample test on the British Council’s site:
https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-test/free-sample-tests/listening-sample-test-
1/listening-section-4
I recommend listening to a variety of podcasts, and online radio stations around the world to
familiarize yourself with accents such as British:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/bbc_world_service
Canada: tunein.com/radio/CBC-Radio-One-Ottawa-915-s25437
USA: learningenglish.voanews.com/programs/radio & http://www.npr.org
Australian: http://radio.abc.net.au/stations/news/live
New Zealand: http://www.radionz.co.nz/programmes
The following resources are great:
https://www.ieltsbuddy.com/ielts-listening.html
http://ielts-up.com/listening/ielts-listening-test.html
If you need more help devising a strategy, feel free to contact me at www.amysindicic.com
I work online 24/7 for your success! 🙂