IELTS Listening Test: An Overview & Listening Techniques (Update 2025)

1. An overview of IELTS Listening Test

1.1. Structure of the IELTS Listening Test

• The structure of the IELTS Listening is in the same form for both IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic.
  
• The duration of the IELTS Listening is roughly 30 minutes. At the end of the paper-based test, there will be 10 minutes for test-takers to transfer the answers to an answer sheet. The recheck time for the computer-based test will be 2 minutes.
  
• The IELTS Listening Test includes 40 questions covering 4 parts in total with gradually increasing difficulty level.
• In 2025, with IELTS One Skill Retake, you may retake just Listening (or any single skill) instead of all four, where available.

	Time allotted	Number of questions	Main content
Part 1	approx. 5 min	10	A daily-social conversation (telephone call, interview, etc.)
Part 2	approx. 5 min	10	A daily-social monologue (presentation, radio programme, etc.)
Part 3	approx. 5 min	10	An academic conversation  (thesis / dissertation, assignment, research project, etc.)
Part 4	approx. 5 min	10	An academic monologue/lecture (history, science, nature, etc.)

1.2. Question Types in IELTS Listening Test

According to the 2025 official IELTS format, the IELTS Listening test remains six main question types including:

• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

Choose one correct answer (e.g. A, B, or C) or more than one correct answer to test ability to get specific details and/or general meaning.

or

• Matching

Match items from a numbered list to test listening for relationships and connections, not just single facts.

• Map, Plan, Diagram Labelling

Fill in the missing parts or labels based on the listening. Skills tested include understanding spatial relationships and directions.

• Note, Form, Table, Summary, Flow-chart Completion

These are “completion” tasks such as Note Completion, Form Completion, Table Completion, Flow-chart Completion, Summary Completion.

• Sentence Completion

Fill the gap missing in part of the recording (or one recording) to test ability to follow sequence of information and capture precise meaning.

• Short-answer questions

Give a short answer (often one to a few words) using information from the recording, testing listening for specific factual details (places, times, numbers, etc.) and precise information.

1.3. IELTS Listening Test Marking Scheme

The band score of IELTS Listening Test is applied for both the Listening Test of IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic, corresponding to the number of correct answers is illustrated in the table below:

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

Note: Many prep sites publish full conversion tables; however, IELTS emphasizes that precise marks may vary by test form. Treat any full table as typical, not absolute.

2. Common mistakes in Ielts Listening Test (with tips)

IELTS Listening Common Mistakes	IELTS Listening Tips
Losing Focus Candidates often tend to focus too much on waiting and looking for the answer to a particular question, which leads you to a state of bewilderment and dilemma in solving the question. As a result, you lose concentration and miss answers for the next ones.	If you miss an answer, move on immediately. Use the end-check window (paper: transfer time; computer: 2-minute check) to guess intelligently based on context/grammar.
Ignoring the Instructions The correct answers in the IELTS Listening Test depend much on the instructions, especially for the word limit.	Read the instructions first, underline keywords (e.g. NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS) before jumping into the questions
Missing Distractors The Listening Test regularly consists of distractors in order to check the understanding as well as attentiveness towards the listening audio. Consequently, some candidates miss these distractors and get a wrong answer.	Be careful with the contrastive words such as BUT, HOWEVER, NO, etc., and the speaker’s tone (emphasise, stress, slow down, etc.)
Making Spelling and Grammatical Mistakes This type of mistake is often made in the IELTS Listening test. The most common ones are the ending sounds (s, es, ed, etc.), name of people, street, etc.	Spelling counts. Decide the part of speech before the audio; double-check plurals, hyphens, capitals in transfer/check time.
Not Taking Advantage of Prediction Skill Paying too much attention to answering the questions, some test-takers forget to predict the information before the audio starts. Hence, you may find it difficult to get the main content of the audio or give the correct word form for the answer.	In the reading time before each part, predict word class (noun/verb/number), possible vocabulary, and units (km, $, %).
Leaving Blank Answers A blank answer may result from wrong-place answers, which can lead you to lose your point. Besides, the predicted answer can be correct, so don’t miss any chances.	Give an answer for the blank, even when you’re not sure about it.
Writing on the Answer Sheet while Listening Try to avoid giving the answers on the answer sheet right at the time you are listening to the audio since you can be distracted or miss the information. Moreover, spelling and grammatical errors can be made while doing this process.	Write on the question paper first, stay with the audio, and use the 10-minute transfer at the end to copy answers carefully. (On computer, you type as you go and get 2 minutes to check.)

3. Effective techniques in IELTS Listening Test

 

 

In order to score a high band in the IELTS Listening Test, you need to have a plan for improving your listening skills on a daily basis. These techniques are suggested by IELTS expert, teachers, and experienced test-takers to practice the IELTS Listening Test in the most effective way:

>> > Practice now: IELTS Listening Practice Test

• Build daily listening habits (passive + active):

  • Passive: films, music, podcasts, radio, news – expose yourself without pausing.

  • Active: short focused sessions; summarize main idea + 2–3 details after each segment.

• Refer to authentic listening sources such as BBC, CNN, youtube channels (Ted talk, Ted ED, etc.)
  
• Practice with Dictation method in which you will you listen to a record and complete missing words or write down exactly what you have heard
• Always review the audio + script: highlight new words, note distractors, and record error types (spelling, speed, word class). 

• Format-smart practice:

  • On paper: simulate 10-minute transfer.

  • On computer: practice typing answers live and 2-minute end-check.

• Strategic safety net (2025): If Listening is your only weak spot, consider IELTS One Skill Retake to retest only Listening (where available).

The IELTS Listening test hasn’t changed in its core design – it still measures how well you understand English in everyday and academic contexts. But as of 2025, small yet important updates matter: Clear timing differences between paper vs. computer formats, and the new option of IELTS One Skill Retake if Listening is your only weak point. IELTS Online Test with manifold IELTS Listening Test will be an ideal option for you to practice and get a high score.