We have collated the nine most frequently asked questions candidates have sent us about the IELTS Listening test. Most candidates now take IELTS on computer, which is the default format at the majority of test centres, though IELTS on paper is still available in some locations. The answers below cover both formats, with computer-delivered IELTS treated as the standard and any paper-based differences noted where relevant.
1. Using capital letters
Q: Would my answer be marked wrong if I write in capital letters – for example, writing seventeen as SEVENTEEN?
A: No. According to the official guide from IELTS, ‘You may write your answers in lowercase or capital letters.’
2. Academic vs General Training
Q: What are the differences between the Academic and General Training Listening tests?
A: If you only look at the Listening test, there is no difference – there is only one Listening test, and every candidate takes it. There are, however, different papers in the Reading and Writing tests.
3. Using acronyms
Q: Can I write my answers in short forms or acronyms?
A: Avoid them if you can. A few standard abbreviations are safe to use – 10am / 10 a.m., 100m, 5kg and similar – but the general rule is to write the full form of a word if you can spell it correctly. So if the answer is, for example, New England, don’t simply write NE.
4. Spelling
Q: What happens if I spell a word wrongly?
A: You don’t get the mark. It’s as simple as that – there is no half-mark deduction. Answers in the Listening test rarely involve long or difficult words, but many candidates struggle with spelling names. You can try these exercises to practise and improve your spelling.
5. Listening to accents
Q: Can I choose which variety of English is used in the Listening test? I find Australian accents really difficult to understand!
A: Unfortunately, you can’t. IELTS Listening tests always involve a range of accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand and North American. So yes, Australian accents will appear – and so may others you’re less used to. The best strategy is to practise not just from one source but from several, so that no single accent throws you on test day.
6. Writing numbers
Q: I’m afraid of the answers with numbers – I don’t know if I should write them as words or as figures!
A: Either will work: 2 or two. Just remember that a written-out number like twenty-five counts as one word for the purposes of word-limit instructions (e.g. NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER).
7. Reading the question paper
Q: Will I have the questions in front of me while listening?
A: Yes – in both formats.
- On computer-delivered IELTS (the default), the questions appear on the screen and you type your answers directly as you listen. At the end of the Listening test, you have 2 minutes to check your answers.
- On paper-based IELTS, you write your answers on the question paper as you listen. At the very end of the Listening test – once all four parts have finished – you are given 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the separate answer sheet.
Whichever format you take, listen carefully and note your answers quickly and legibly. On computer, use the review time properly rather than treating the test as finished; on paper, transfer your answers carefully – rushed or unclear handwriting on the answer sheet is a common way to lose marks…
8. Writing in pauses
Q: Can I write during the pauses between parts?
A: Yes – and you should also use those pauses to read ahead. Look at the next set of questions, highlight or note the keywords, and get a sense of what the recording will be about. How you use these pauses can make a significant difference to your final band score.
9. Explaining the four sections
Q: What are the differences between the four parts?
A: The Listening test has four parts, with ten questions in each.
- Part 1 is a conversation between two speakers in an everyday, social context – for example, someone booking accommodation, making an enquiry, or arranging travel.
- Part 2 is a monologue in a similar everyday context – for example, a speech about local facilities or a guided tour. This is often (but not always) where you’ll see a map or a plan.
- Part 3 is a conversation in an educational or training context – for example, two university students discussing an assignment, perhaps with input from a tutor.
- Part 4 is a monologue on an academic subject – essentially a short lecture. This is generally regarded as the hardest of the four parts.
Further reading
Now that you’ve read about commonly asked questions for the Listening module, why not read about seven common questions candidates have asked us about the Reading module?
Hello,
Will we get the 10 minutes transfer time in Listening test if we are writing a Computer Delivered Test?
no, you won’t! Because you type the answer directly into the answer area on the screen, there is no answer sheet.
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hey,
in a task which says no more then three words and or a number, if the recording says ”22nd of October”, will writing it as it is make it wrong? Is ‘nd’ considered as a separate word in an answer? Please clarify as the key said 22 October.
‘nd’ is not normally regarded as a separate word, as it only represents the ending of ‘twenty-second‘. In your case, writing ’22nd of October’ will be fine.
if in speaking exam part 2, there something asked of past and i talk about present and miss some of the keys in the cue card, will i be penalised?
Using present as a comparison is fine (e.g. No one talks about global warming when I was small, but now we know why it is important) but you shouldn’t talk too much about it. Your past should be your focus. Missing key instructions though, could be potentially damaging. Hope this helps!
Greeting,
Could you please help me out because i am making this mistake consistently. The answer is (a) Silence in the answer booklet and i have written silence and the answer is (the) splash ride and i have written splash ride. Will the answer be marked as right or wrong ?. I really appreciate that.
Hi there,
Are these questions from Road to IELTS practice tests? Because I don’t know the question I can’t help too much but please take a look at this blog post about the importance of being accurate and hopefully that will answer your questions. Thanks!
Just cross checking again, if I attend an offline test, I will be able to refer to the questions while listening to the audio clip?
Hi there!
Yes, if you are taking the paper-based test you will have the question paper in front of you whilst listening to the audio clips.
Good luck!
Do we get 30 seconds to review the questions before the audio clip is played?
Hi there,
You can be given a short amount of time before the clip is played to read the question. This could be shorter than 30 seconds though.
Great content. Vey helpful and informative. Thanks for sharing.
Well highlighted nine faq’s great you shared them
Nice! very helpful Article
What happens if I have the right answer, in addition to an adjective or a noun? Is it considered wrong?
For example, in a sample test, the answer to a blank is “magazine” and I wrote “local magazine” instead, will my answer be marked as wrong?
The question did allow me to write more than one word in the blank, and the speaker in the listening did mention the term “local magazine”.
Hi there, please take a look at point two of this blog post . It gives more detail on how to be accurate in your IELTS Listening test.
Hi, thanks for this post. I have two questions:
1. What would happen if I wrote more, for example, I might write “a modern farm” while the answer is “farm”, when the word limit is three. Would I lose marks?
2. What should I write when the recording says my birthday is on “21st of March 1999”, and the word count is 2?
Hi there!
1. Take a look at point 2 of this post. It will give you more detail about how to be accurate when answering questions.
2. In most cases in the IELTS Listening test, you just have to write the date and month as an answer. So you could write 21/03 or March 21. I haven’t seen cases where you need the year too but in that case you can write it as one word 21/03/1999.
please what’s the difference between academic and general. I still don’t understand the post
Hi there,
The Reading and Writing tests are different in the Academic vs the General Training test. The topics in the Academic test are catered towards people entering university or education. The General Training topics are more about general interests and English.
Hello,
Do you have simulations adequate for a CD test taker? i want to register but i need to be sure about this. I also want to know if you provide 1 -1 tutoring on speaking and writing?
Hello! Yes, on Road to IELTS there is test practice for IELTS on computer candidates. There is no 1-to-1 tutoring but you can access plenty of practice activities, questions, and video advice on the Speaking and Writing sections of Road to IELTS. Thanks!
Hi,
There are 4 section of listening part. How many time shall we listen these audios? Especially, last section of the listening is harder than the first section (for example). Do we listen them just one time? Or is there any chance to listen to the last section twice?
Hi there. All of the recordings will only be played once. In this blog post, you can find some helpful tips for before you even hear the recording.
If we are giving a paper based test.
Will we have the question paper in front of us?
Yes you will!
Please is it the test taker that plays the audio or the examiner .
Hi there,
The examiner will play the audio. If you are doing IELTS on computer the audio will automatically play.
Hello,
If I write the answer “miss” instead of the answer from the answer booklet “missed”. Will it be wrong because of the wrong tense?
Thank you
Hello! Yes, it is important that you use the correct tense in your answer. Pay attention to what the question is asking and what tense you need to answer in. Hope that helps!
thanks for sharing
Hi there.
May I ask while listening to IELTS audio during listening test, am I allowed to write directly on the answer sheet?
I know that it is recommended against as this practice may cause the candidate to lose focus, but am interested to know if this is permissible.
Hi there! All IELTS test advice documents seem to suggest that you write your answers on the question booklet first and use the designated time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. Hope that helps!
Is it possible for the correct answer in the booklet noted, Is it would to be acceptable? Even though it has not been transferred to the answer sheet.
You must transfer your answers to the answer sheet to be marked.