The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) listening test is an important part of the IELTS exam, and it is designed to assess your ability to understand spoken English at a high level. If you are preparing for the IELTS exam, it is essential to understand the format of the listening test and how it is scored. In this blog post, we will explore the IELTS listening test format and scoring system in more detail.

IELTS listening test format

The IELTS listening test consists of four sections, each with a different type of listening passage. The test takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, and the passages are played once. The test is divided into the following sections:

Section 1

In the first section of the listening test, you will hear a conversation between two people, such as a conversation in a shop or a conversation between friends. This section is designed to test your ability to understand everyday conversations.

Section 2

In the second section of the listening test, you will hear a monologue, such as a speech or a lecture. This section is designed to test your ability to understand more formal spoken English.

Section 3

The third section of the listening test consists of a conversation between two or more people, such as a discussion or a debate. This section is designed to test your ability to understand a variety of accents and to follow a conversation with more than two speakers.

Section 4

In the fourth section of the listening test, you will hear a monologue, such as a speech or a lecture. This section is designed to test your ability to understand a more complex spoken text.

IELTS listening test scoring system

The IELTS listening test is scored on a 9-band scale, with 1 being the lowest and 9 being the highest. The test is marked by trained assessors, who evaluate your performance based on the following criteria:

Fluency and coherence

Fluency and coherence refer to your ability to understand the overall flow and structure of the listening passage. This includes your ability to follow the development of the main points and to understand the relationships between the speakers.

Lexical resource

Lexical resource refers to your vocabulary. To score well on the IELTS listening test, it is essential to have a strong vocabulary and to be able to understand a range of words and phrases.

Grammatical range and accuracy

Grammatical range and accuracy refer to your ability to understand and use grammar correctly. This includes your ability to understand verb tenses, noun phrases, and other grammatical structures.

Pronunciation

Pronunciation refers to your ability to pronounce words and phrases correctly. To score well on the IELTS listening test, it is essential to have good pronunciation and to be able to understand spoken English at a high level.

By understanding the format and scoring system of the IELTS listening test, you can better prepare for the exam and increase your chances of achieving the score you need. With practice and determination, you can succeed on the test.