About 2 hours 45 minutes for Listening, Reading and Writing, plus a short separate Speaking interview.
IELTS Exam Format & Test Day
IELTS has four modules taken on the same day (Listening, Reading and Writing back-to-back), with Speaking either on the same day or up to a week before/after. The total test time is about 2 hours 45 minutes.
| Module | Time | Questions / Tasks | What it involves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | ~30 min | 40 questions | 4 recorded sections, increasing in difficulty. (Paper test adds 10 min transfer time.) |
| Reading | 60 min | 40 questions | 3 passages (Academic) or several texts (General Training). |
| Writing | 60 min | 2 tasks | Task 1 (150 words) and Task 2 (250-word essay). |
| Speaking | 11–14 min | 3 parts | Face-to-face interview with a certified examiner. |
Computer-delivered vs paper-based IELTS
- Computer-delivered IELTS — same test content; type your answers, results in 3–5 days, more test dates, and the One Skill Retake option.
- Paper-based IELTS — write answers by hand; results in about 13 days. Speaking is still face-to-face in both formats.
On test day
- Arrive early with the same valid passport you registered with.
- Store phones and belongings as instructed; only permitted items are allowed in the room.
- Listening, Reading and Writing are taken in one sitting with no breaks.
- Speaking is a separate face-to-face interview.
- Results (Test Report Form) are released online, then a copy is issued.
New for recent test-takers: the One Skill Retake lets computer-test candidates re-sit just one module and combine the new score with the original three. Learn how each module is scored on our band score page.
The four IELTS modules at a glance
Computer IELTS gives faster results (3–5 days), more dates and the One Skill Retake. Choose paper if you prefer writing by hand. The Speaking test is identical (face-to-face) in both.
Computer-delivered results arrive in about 3–5 days; paper-based results in about 13 days.
Ready to book your IELTS test?
We’ll help you choose computer vs paper, pick the best date, and register at an official British Council or IDP centre. Message us on WhatsApp.