| Updated On - Jun 24, 2026
IELTS Listening is one of the 4 skills tested in the IELTS. This IELTS test skill examines the candidate’s ability to understand spoken English in real-life situations. This skill is same for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. It
The IELTS Listening section is marked on the 0-9 IELTS scoring criteria. Here’s complete information on the listening skills test:
| Details | Description |
|---|---|
| Parts | 4 parts |
| Questions | 10 questions from each part, 40 questions in total. |
| Duration | 30 minutes (10 minutes extra to transfer answers to paper) |
| Test Process | There will be 4 audio passages which will be played only once. From the played audios, applicants need to answer the questions. |
The IELTS Listening test includes 4 recorded audio passages, from which questions are framed. Applicants need to listen to these passages carefully and answer the questions. The audios include everyday conversations, social interactions, educational discussions, and academic lectures.
IELTS Listening Exam Format 2026
| Question Type | Description | Testing Area |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple choice | Applicants will be given a question with 3 options. They need to find the correct answer. |
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| Matching | Match a list of items from the recording to a list of options on the question. |
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| Labelling | There will be a map, a plan, or a diagram that the applicants have to label. | Ability to identify maps or diagrams for academic purposes. |
| Summary completion | Fill in gaps of a given passage, flow chart, table, or note. | Important information noting skills. |
| Sentence completion | Fill in the empty blanks in a sentence with the given word limit. | Identifying important words from the audio passage. |
| Short-answer questions | Write short answers to questions from the audio passage. | Noting the fact from the given audio passage. |
Multiple Choice
Multiple-choice questions in the IELTS Listening exam may require you to select either one correct answer or more than one correct answer. It is important to read the instructions carefully before selecting an answer. The question may be directed with answer options or as an incomplete sentence.
For single-answer questions, you will usually choose one option from three possible answers. For multiple-answer questions, you will see a longer list of options and need to select more than one correct response. These questions test your ability to understand specific details as well as the main ideas and overall meaning of the audio recording.
Matching
In the Matching Information task, you need to match items mentioned in the audio recording with the correct options provided in the question. These options may include categories, descriptions, features, or other related information. You must listen carefully and identify which option best matches each item discussed in the recording.
This task tests your ability to listen for specific details and understand information presented in everyday conversations. It also assesses how well you can follow discussions between speakers and recognize relationships, connections, and key facts mentioned in the audio.
Labelling
In the Map, Plan, or Diagram Labelling task, you need to fill in the missing labels on a map, plan, or diagram by listening to the audio recording. You will usually be given a list of options and must choose the correct answer for each label based on the information you hear.
This task tests your ability to understand descriptions of places, locations, and directions. You need to pay attention to words and phrases related to movement and position, such as "turn left," "opposite," or "next to." It also assesses how well you can connect spoken information with visual details shown in the map, plan, or diagram.
Summary completion
In the Notes, Form, Table, Flow-chart, or Summary Completion task, you need to fill in the missing information in an outline based on the audio recording. The outline may appear as a form, notes, table, flowchart, or summary, and focuses on the main ideas and important details from the listening passage. The answers may need to be selected from a list or written directly from the recording.
It is important to follow the word limit given in the instructions, such as "NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER." Answers that exceed the specified limit will be marked incorrect. Listen carefully for key information and write the exact words you hear while paying attention to spelling and grammar.
Sentence completion
In the Sentence Completion task, you need to complete sentences using information from the audio recording. The sentences may summarise the entire listening passage or a specific section of it. Your goal is to identify the missing words and write them correctly based on what you hear.
It is important to follow the word limit mentioned in the instructions, such as "NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER." Answers that exceed the limit will be marked incorrect. This task tests your ability to identify key information, understand main ideas, and recognize relationships such as cause and effect within the listening text.
Short-answer questions
In the Short-Answer Questions task, you need to listen to the audio recording and answer the questions using information you hear. Your answers should be brief and based on specific details mentioned in the recording. Some questions may require one answer, while others may ask for two or more points.
It is important to follow the word limit given in the instructions, such as "NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER." Answers that exceed the limit will be marked incorrect. This task tests your ability to identify and understand key facts, such as names, places, dates, times, and prices from the listening passage.
IELTS Listening Sample Questions 2026
Having a better idea of different types of questions in IELTS listening will help you to answer properly. You will face 6 different types of questions in IELTS listening exam. Effective IELTS listening preparation tips include reading books, taking practice tests, and listening to English podcasts. Taking IELTS listening practice tests helps you understand the question types and improve your time management skills. You can refer to the table below to check the question types and their requirements:
| Types of Questions | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Multiple choice | You are required to choose one correct answer from the options (A, B, or C). |
| Matching | You are required to match a list of items from the audio you have listened to. |
| Plan, map, diagram labeling | Complete the labels and then select your answers from the list mentioned in the question paper. |
| Form, note, table, flow-chart, summary completion | Fill in the gaps in an outline of part of the recording you have played. |
| Sentence completion | Fill a gap in each sentence using information from the recording. |
| Short-answer questions | Write a short answer using information from the recording. |
Multiple Choice Questions:
These types of questions assessed a wide range of skills. You must have a detailed understanding of the main and specific points to answer.
Sample Question:
Matching Questions
How well you can understand the information in a topic is assessed by matching the types of questions. Your ability to follow a conversation and recognize connections between facts will also be tested on these types of questions.
Sample Question:
Plan, Map, Diagram, Labelling Types of Questions
These types of questions are designed to test your ability to understand and how well you can follow language expressing directions.
Sample Question:
Form, Note, Table, Flow-Chart, Summary Completion Types of Questions
Your ability to focus on the main point is being tested by these types of questions. You need to maintain the word limit properly to answer these types of questions.
Sample Question:
Sentence Completion Types of Questions
Your ability to identify the key information and understanding of functional relationships is tested by sentence completion-type questions.
Sample Question:
Short-Answer Questions
These types of questions focus on your ability to listen for facts, places, prices, or times.
Sample Question:
IELTS Listening Scoring Pattern 2026
You will face 40 questions divided into 4 parts in IELTS listening. You will get 1 raw IELTS score for each correct answer. The number of correct answers is referred to as the raw score, and this raw score is converted to a band score. The band score for the listening section ranges from 0 to 9 bands. The general training and IELTS academic listening scoring patterns follow the same process. Check the table mentioned below to understand the IELTS listening scoring pattern:
| Raw Score | Band Score |
|---|---|
| 39-40 | 9 |
| 37-38 | 8.5 |
| 35-36 | 8.0 |
| 32-34 | 7.5 |
| 30-31 | 7.0 |
| 26-29 | 6.5 |
| 23-25 | 6.0 |
| 18-22 | 5.5 |
| 16-17 | 5.0 |
| 13-15 | 4.5 |
| 11-12 | 4.0 |
Tips to Score 8-9 Score Band in IELTS Listening
Indian students often lose marks in IELTS Listening tests due to changes in pronunciation in the audio passages. IELTS uses diverse vocabulary and pronunciation, such as American, British, and Australian, to examine the listening and speaking skills. Here are some tips that will help in scoring in the 8-9 score band in the IELTS Listening task:
- Listen to some podcasts on YouTube in British, American, Australian, Canadian, etc. accents. This will help you in recognizing the accent and words. The accent differs from region to region and country to country. Identifying them and answering the questions becomes a bit difficult.
- Listening to the news and other fact-based videos builds an understanding of language and words. This increases your focus on noting the facts and important figures.
- Try to do some practice-based activities to identify your weak areas. Use official IDP practice audio and questions to improve.
- Do memory-based tasks to improve your memory power to retain information you hear in the audio passages. Tips to Score 8-9 Score Band in IELTS Listening
IELTS Listening Practice Questions 2026
| Download PDF for IELTS Listening Practice Question 2026 | |
|---|---|
| IELTS Listening Practice Test 1 | IELTS Listening Practice Test 2 |
| IELTS Listening Practice Test 3 | IELTS Listening Practice Test 4 |
| IELTS Listening Practice Test 5 | IELTS Listening Practice Test 6 |
| IELTS Listening Practice Test 7 | IELTS Listening Practice Test 8 |
Tips to Answer IELTS Listening Questions 2026
IELTS exam listening practice requires focused study and building test-taking strategies. IELTS listening mock tests cover the full syllabus and improve your time management skills. IELTS coaching centers conduct regular practice tests, or you can take an IELTS listening test online from verified resources. Here are some effective tips and tricks to improve your IELTS listening practice:
- Read questions before recording: Understand what you're listening for.
- Preview next section questions: Get ready while listening.
- Answer order may vary: Don't assume options match the recording order.
- Follow word limits: Note down the word limits for each section. You can be penalized for exceeding word limits.
- Identify keywords: Match synonyms in the recording to answer choices.
- Know pronunciations: Spell accurately based on how words sound.
- Listen for transitions: Identify words that indicate the stage changes. This helps you to identify which question you have reached.
- Cross out bad options: Narrow down your choices while listening.
- Skip and come back later: Don't get stuck, move on, and revisit if time allows.
- Listen Effectively: Wait until all recordings finish, avoiding missing info.
You may find IELTS listening difficult if you are not used to different types of accents. IDP IELTS listening practice tests are designed to improve your knowledge of common English phrases and identify the key information. If you are taking the exam for the first time, you can start your preparation by solving IELTS listening sample papers and reading the most updated books.
FAQs
Ques: How can I get 8.5 in IELTS listening?
Ans: An IELTS band score of 8.5 means you need to answer 37 to 38 questions correctly. To give correct answers in IELTS listening, you need to identify keywords properly, focus on pronunciation, listen effectively, and maintain the word limit.
Ques: What is the trick for listening in IELTS?
Ans: The best way to improve your IELTS listening score try and identify your weaknesses y taking a mock test and working on improving the areas. Underline keywords while listening, and always focus on finding the main ideas of the recordings.
Ques: How to practice for IELTS listening?
Ans: You can effectively prepare for IELTS listening by joining coaching classes or reading books. Taking regular practice tests helps you to understand different types of questions and improve your time management skills.
Ques: Which listening is best for the IELTS exam?
Ans: To improve your IELTS listening score, you need to listen to various types of accents. You can start watching regular news channel programs such as; BBC Earth, Animal Planet, National Geographic, and others to improve your knowledge of common English phrases.
Ques: What is 27 out of 40 in IELTS listening?
Ans: You will get 1 raw score for each correct answer on IELTS listening, and then your raw scores are converted to the band score. Achieving a raw score of 27 is calculated as a 6.5 IELTS listening band score.
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