Karthik, an MBA aspirant in Coimbatore, has a coaching brochure that says “IELTS: 3 hours” and a friend who says “two and a half”. Neither is quite right.

The test takes about 2 hours 45 minutes: Listening (~30 minutes, 40 questions), Reading (60 minutes, 40 questions) and Writing (60 minutes, 2 tasks) run back to back without breaks. Speaking takes 11–14 minutes, scheduled on the same day for IELTS on Computer or within a week before or after.

The Whole Test in One Table

Section Time Questions / tasks Academic vs GT
Listening ~30 min 4 parts, 40 questions Same
Reading 60 min 3 sections, 40 questions Different texts
Writing 60 min 2 tasks (150 + 250 words) Task 1 differs
Speaking 11–14 min 3 parts Same

The Four Test Sections Explained

Listening (about 30 minutes)

Listening has four parts, moving from everyday conversation to an academic lecture, with questions that get harder as you go. Each recording is heard once. In computer-delivered IELTS you type your answers as you listen and get 2 minutes at the end to review them; see our guide to IELTS Listening.

Reading (60 minutes)

Reading has three sections and 40 questions, with texts that get longer and harder as you go. There is no extra transfer time, so all answers must be completed within the 60 minutes. Academic uses long texts from books, journals, magazines and newspapers, while General Training uses everyday and work-related texts, as Academic vs General Training explains.

For technique, see our IELTS Reading strategy guide.

Writing (60 minutes)

Writing has two tasks: Task 1 needs at least 150 words (suggested 20 minutes), and Task 2, an essay, needs at least 250 words (suggested 40 minutes). Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1 in your Writing band. Academic Task 1 summarises visual information (see how to describe graphs and charts), while General Training Task 1 is a letter.

Speaking (11–14 minutes)

Speaking has three parts with a certified human examiner, and it is always recorded:

  • Part 1 (4–5 minutes): questions on familiar topics such as home, work and studies.
  • Part 2 (3–4 minutes): a task card, with 1 minute to prepare and up to 2 minutes to speak.
  • Part 3 (4–5 minutes): a discussion of more abstract ideas linked to your Part 2 topic.

See how Speaking is marked in our IELTS Speaking guide.

How Test Day and Scoring Fit Together

Each skill gets a band from 0 to 9, and all four count equally. The overall band is the average, rounded to the nearest half or whole band; see how band scores are calculated.

For what changes on screen, read about computer-delivered IELTS in 2026, and use our IELTS test day checklist to plan what to carry.

Common Timing and Format Misconceptions

Incorrect: “There’s a break between Listening and Reading.”

Correct: Listening, Reading and Writing run back to back.

Incorrect: “You can replay the recording.”

Correct: Each recording plays once, so answer as you listen.

Incorrect: “Spend equal time on both writing tasks.”

Correct: Task 2 counts double, so give it about 40 minutes.

Tip

Practise completing Listening, Reading and Writing together in one sitting at home so your stamina holds during test day.

Key Takeaways

  • Total test time is approximately 2 hours 45 minutes across four skills.
  • Listening, Reading and Writing proceed back to back without scheduled breaks.
  • Speaking is an 11–14 minute conversation with a certified human examiner.
  • Writing Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1.

The bottom line: Practise in the real order, back to back, and give Writing Task 2 about 40 of your 60 minutes.