IELTS Free Lesson 1: Understanding the Exam

Learn about the four parts of IELTS, how band scores work, and the key strategies that will help you do your best.

Beginner — Band 5–6 (CEFR B1)

What is IELTS?

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is an English exam. People take it for university, work, or to move to another country. There are two versions: Academic (for university) and General Training (for work or immigration). The Listening and Speaking tests are the same for both. Reading and Writing are different.

The Four Parts of the Test

Part	Time	What you do
Listening	About 30 min	Listen to recordings and answer 40 questions.
Reading	60 minutes	Read 3 passages and answer 40 questions.
Writing	60 minutes	Complete 2 tasks — a short report or letter, and an essay.
Speaking	11–14 min	Have a face-to-face conversation with an examiner in 3 parts.

Understanding Your Band Score

IELTS gives you a band score from 1 to 9. Band 1 is the lowest; Band 9 is expert English. You get a score for each of the four skills, plus an overall band score, which is the average of all four. Scores can include a .5, for example 5.5 or 6.5.

Band	Level	Description
9	Expert	Full command of the language — accurate, fluent, and natural.
7–8	Good / Very good	Occasional errors but handles complex language well.
5–6	Modest / Competent	Can communicate but makes regular mistakes.
1–4	Limited	Difficulty understanding and using English in most situations.

Top Tips for Each Part

🎧 Listening

Read the questions before you listen.
Write your answer as soon as you hear it.
Check your spelling at the end.

📖 Reading

Skim the passage first to get the general idea.
Scan for keywords when answering questions.
Spend about 20 minutes per passage.

✍️ Writing

Plan your answer for 2–3 minutes first.
Answer every part of the question.
Check you have written enough words.

🗣️ Speaking

Speak naturally — don't memorise full answers.
Give reasons and examples, not just short answers.
Ask the examiner to repeat if you don't understand.

⭐ 3 Golden Rules

Never leave an answer blank — a guess can still be correct.
Manage your time — don't spend too long on one question.
Practise regularly — a little every day is better than one long session.

Exercise 1: True or False?

Read each statement about IELTS. Click True or False.

Score: 0 / 6

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct answer for each question.

Score: 0 / 5

Exercise 3: Match the Tip to the Skill

Use the dropdown to match each exam tip to the correct IELTS skill.

Score: 0 / 5