IELTS

Spelling accuracy is essential because misspelled answers are marked incorrect. Common challenges include double letters, silent letters, and homophones. When a speaker spells a word aloud, write each letter immediately. Practice spelling common names, places, and everyday vocabulary.

Number recognition requires you to distinguish similar-sounding numbers. Listen for stress: "teen" numbers stress the second syllable, while "ty" numbers stress the first. Practice writing phone numbers, dates, times, prices, and measurements accurately.

Teenorty?Listeningforstress

TeenNumber	StressPattern	TyNumber	StressPattern
13 15 18	thir-TEEN fif TEEN - eigh -TEEN	30 50 80	THIR -ty FIF -ty EIGH -ty

Listen to podcasts, news broadcasts, lectures, and

Listen to short passages and write down exactly what you

conversations. Vary the accents, since IELTS recordings

hear, then check against a transcript. This builds listening

include British, Australian, New Zealand, and North American

accuracy and spelling at the same time.

speakers. Start slightly below your level and gradually increase difficulty.

Tips for Test Day

Settle in early

Arrive early, take your seat calmly, and use every second of preparation time to read the questions.

Answer as you listen

Write or type answers as the recording plays. If you miss one, move on at once.

Check and transfer

Verify spelling, word limits, and grammar. Trust your first answer unless you are certain it is wrong.

40 questions in four parts, 10 per part, each recording heard

Questions follow the order of the recording

once

Respect word limits exactly; spelling counts

Paper: 10 minutes to transfer answers; computer: 2 minutes

Expect paraphrase, not the exact words of the question

to check

Wait for confirmation; early details are often distractors