IELTS preparation guide: test format, band scores and a study plan
By the Hunarzai team. Facts checked 30 October 2026.
The short answer
IELTS preparation means learning the format of the four sections (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking), practising each question type under time limits and building the English behind them. First choose the right test: IELTS Academic for degree-level study, IELTS General Training for migration or training below degree level. On Hunarzai, teachers set their own fees within the site's limits: up to PKR 4,999 for a recorded course, PKR 7,999 for hybrid and PKR 9,999 for live. Start by checking the band score your university or visa route asks for.Academic or General Training?
IELTS comes in two main versions, and choosing the wrong one wastes a test fee.
- IELTS Academic is for study at degree level, at a university or college.
- IELTS General Training is, in IELTS's words, for people who want to migrate to an English-speaking country (for example Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the UK) or to train or study below degree level.
The Listening and Speaking tests are the same in both versions. The Reading and Writing tests are different. There is also IELTS for UKVI, used for some UK visa applications. Always check which version your university, employer or visa route asks for before you book.
Matlab: pehle confirm karein ke aap ko Academic chahiye ya General Training, phir tayari shuru karein.
IELTS test format
The whole test takes 2 hours and 45 minutes. You can take it at a test centre or, for IELTS Academic, online, and IELTS says the format is the same either way.
| Section | Time | What is in it |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | About 30 minutes | 4 parts, 40 questions. Parts 1 and 2 are everyday situations, parts 3 and 4 are education and training. You hear each recording once. |
| Reading | 60 minutes | Academic: 3 sections, 40 questions, 2,150 to 2,750 words of text in total |
| Writing | 60 minutes | 2 tasks. Academic Task 1: describe a graph, table, chart or diagram in at least 150 words (about 20 minutes). Task 2: an essay of at least 250 words (about 40 minutes). |
| Speaking | 11 to 14 minutes | A face-to-face interview with an examiner, in 3 parts, recorded |
IELTS's General Training page also lists an extra 10 minutes after Listening to transfer your answers to an answer sheet.
The Speaking test in more detail
- Part 1 (4 to 5 minutes): the examiner checks your identity and asks about familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies or interests.
- Part 2 (the long turn): you get a task card with a topic and one minute to prepare, then you speak about it.
- Part 3: a longer discussion linked to the Part 2 topic.
Examiners mark four things: fluency and coherence, lexical resource (vocabulary), grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation.
How IELTS band scores work
- Each section gets a band score, and in Listening and Reading each correct answer is worth 1 mark.
- Your overall band is the average of the four section bands, rounded to the nearest half band.
- IELTS's rule for rounding: an average ending in .25 goes up to the next half band, and one ending in .75 goes up to the next whole band. For example, an average of 6.25 becomes 6.5 and 6.75 becomes 7.
- Universities and visa routes often ask for a minimum in each section as well as overall, so a weak section can hold you back even with a good overall band.
A study plan that works
- Find your target. Write down the overall band and the minimum per section that your university or visa route asks for.
- Take a diagnostic test. Use the official sample questions on ielts.org under real timings to see your starting band in each section.
- Learn every question type. Listening and Reading use set question types (multiple choice, matching, completion and others). Practise each one until you know how to approach it.
- Write every week. Writing is hard to judge on your own. Write Task 1 and Task 2 to the time limit and get feedback from a teacher against the four criteria.
- Speak out loud every day. Practise Part 2 with a one-minute timer and record yourself. Listen back for long pauses, repeated words and unclear sounds.
- Do full mock tests. In the last weeks, sit full timed tests so the 2 hours and 45 minutes feel normal.
Choosing an IELTS course on Hunarzai
Look for a teacher who covers the version you need (Academic or General Training), marks your writing against the official criteria, gives speaking practice with feedback and includes timed mock tests. Recorded courses suit self-study, live courses give you regular speaking practice with a teacher, and hybrid courses mix the two.
Questions people ask
How long does IELTS preparation take?
It depends on your current English and your target band. Strong English users may only need a few weeks to learn the format, while learners with weaker basics should spend longer building their English first. A diagnostic test tells you where you stand.
What is the difference between IELTS Academic and General Training?
Academic is for degree-level study; General Training is for migration and for training or study below degree level. Listening and Speaking are the same in both; Reading and Writing are different.
How is the IELTS overall band calculated?
It is the average of your four section bands, rounded to the nearest half band. An average ending in .25 rounds up to the next half band and one ending in .75 rounds up to the next whole band.
How long is the IELTS test?
2 hours and 45 minutes in total: Listening about 30 minutes, Reading 60 minutes, Writing 60 minutes and Speaking 11 to 14 minutes.
Can I prepare for IELTS at home?
Yes. Use the official sample questions, practise each section under real timings, write to the time limit and record your speaking. A teacher's feedback on Writing and Speaking is the part that is hardest to replace.