The listening test comprises of several recordings which may have Australian, British, or North-American accents. Enlisted are points to be kept in mind while attempting the exam:

• The first module taken is listening.
• It is a 30-35 minutes test of your understanding of spoken English, where the test taker is required to hear an audio and answer questions based on the transcript.
• The test is divided in four parts with 10 questions in each section.
• There are a total of 40 questions in the listening test.
• Questions are in the same order as the information in the recording.

Question Types:

Type 1: Choose from a list

Task Description: The facts in the recording are to be matched to words in the given options. 

Type 2: Form filling

Task Description: This task tests one’s ability to predict missing information. The test taker is required to listen for important details, like names, dates, places etc.

Type 3: Multiple choice

Task Description: To choose the correct answer to a question from three/ four options (A, B, C OR D)

Type 4: Matching

Task Description: The task requires the test taker to answer the questions by matching a list of numbered questions with a list of options labeled with a letter.

Type 5: Sentence/Summary completion

Task Description: The task requires the test taker to complete sentences or summary by writing up to three words and/or a number in the blanks.

Type 6: To label a map/ diagram/ process

Task Description: The task requires you to identify places on the map/ plan/ using words and/or number from options.

Type 7: Table completion

Task Description: It requires a student to complete missing information in a table.

Type 8: Short answer questions

Task Description: The question requires you to provide short answers using information in the recording.

Type 9: Labeling a diagram

Task Description: The aspirant should label the parts of a diagram with the help of information given in the recording.

Type 10: Note completion

Task Description: This task requires you to complete a form. 

Type 11: Flow chart completion

Task Description: A flow chart shows step by step instructions for a process in an audio. In this type of question, you need to complete missing information in the flow chart.

Type 12: Classification 

Task Description: You are required to write the category that each statement belongs to.

Marking Criteria

IELTS Academic Listening has a total of 40 questions. Each correct answer carries one mark. So, total marks are calculated out of 40. There is no negative marking.

The scores for listening are converted as per the following band chart:

Correct Answers	Band Scores
39-40	9
37-38	8.5
35-36	8
32-34	7.5
30-31	7
26-29	6.5
23-25	6
18-22	5.5
16-17	5
13-15	4.5
11-12	4