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Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Listening Exam 2025

Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Listening Exam are discussed in this article. This information gives clarity on common mistakes and some strategies for IELTS Listening Exam.
authorImageSupriya Shrivastava14 Feb, 2025
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Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Listening Exam

Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Listening Exam : The IELTS Listening exam plays recordings just once. There is no need to fear as we will examine common mistakes made on the IELTS listening exam as well as strategies for being ready for it. The listening section of the IELTS is the same for both academic training and IELTS general training . It includes 40 questions divided into 4 sections and lasts for 30 minutes.

The questions usually become more difficult to answer as you move through the test. If you understand how to effectively manage your time throughout the exam and what errors to avoid, you will be able to answer more questions whether you choose to take the computer-based or paper-based version of the test. Read carefully Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Listening Exam here. Also Read

Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Listening Exam

The listening section of the IELTS exam is presented right away, and it may be difficult for you to follow up with the recording's pace and in a different accent. You only hear the recording once during the IELTS exam . You are unable to fast-forward or resume listening to it. This is the main reason why students make IELTS Listening Common Mistakes and the exam becomes more difficult. The listening tips that follow help you in fixing these common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Listening Exam. Now let's examine them.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Listening Exam

Students can read Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Listening Exam here. " Are you among the students who believe that IELTS listening is more difficult than IELTS reading ? Reading allows you to refer to the text while listening only allows you to hear the audio once. This is the main reason why the listening section is difficult. There is no way to rewind the audio and play it again.

Not checking your answers

You will write answers on question sheets for the IELTS paper-based exam , and you will have 10 minutes to transfer your answers onto the answer sheet. You don't need those ten minutes if you take a computer-based exam because your answers appear straight on the screen. There will only be two for you. The answers you give to the questions will be highlighted in the computer-delivered exam.

Make sure you do not leave any blank spaces

You do not lose points for incorrect answers in the IELTS Listening section. One way to use the power of probability is to make educated guesses in situations where there is a chance that the answers are correct.

Check your spelling

If you misspell anything, the answer is considered incorrect, and you lose points. Verify that you can accurately spell words that are commonly used, such as professor, street, avenue, environment, library, city or country names, and address.

Ignoring the keywords

You must indeed understand and use a specific approach while answering each question in the IELTS listening section. It's important to focus on the keywords. Before listening to the audio section, you will have time to read the questions. Keep an eye out for keywords in the questions, highlight them, and pay close attention to them throughout the passage. This will help you stay focused during longer talks or lectures, giving you a general concept of what the passage will be about.

Not following the instructions

It is simple to confuse or overlook the answer format entirely when there are six different question types. You should take the word limit seriously and answer in no more than three words when it is specified. This is because the exam requires not only writing an answer but also properly processing, analyzing, and presenting the data.

Not knowing the format of the Listening test

Students should know the IELTS Listening Format . You must listen to four recordings (conversations and monologues) and then respond to the questions provided. Native English speakers with various types of accents are included in the recordings. Keep in mind that you can only listen to each recording once. Recording 1: You will hear a conversation that is defined and set in everyday life. Recording 2: A monologue on daily life or social background will be played for you. For example, a discussion over the current condition of the local streets. Recording 3: You will hear a dialogue between two individuals in an informative or training environment. For example, a teacher and pupils talk about an assignment. Recording 4: A monologue on any academic topic will be played for you. For example, a college lecture.

Answering before fully listening to the entire passage

Similar to attempting to guess the answers, you don't want to lose focus when listening to the audio because you might hear a clue to the answer. It can only be just a section of the solution or a distraction. Before choosing a definitive answer, you should listen to the complete recording and stay listening because the answer may be in there.

Shifting your answers too early or too late

You may make the error of moving the answers while listening to the recordings, even though you have ten minutes to transfer your answers from the provided question sheet to the answer sheet. This may appear more orderly or appropriate, but you may become sidetracked. It is important to remember that the audio only plays once, and you must focus entirely on the reading of the piece. You also don't want to waste the extra ten minutes by transferring the answers too late. It is advised that you practice changing your answers on practice exams to see if this is a problem for you.
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IELTS Listening Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes

Students can read about Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Listening Exam in the above paragraph. Here are some IELTS listening tips that will help you reach your objective of being completely ready for your IELTS listening exam.

Following instructions and understanding the questions

Each of the four sections of the listening exam includes one or more sets of question types. Before and after each audio recording, you are given instructions for every section of the listening exam. You'll have time to get ready for every question set. Trying to read the questions and listening to what you hear at the same time makes it hard, so be sure to:
  • Listen to the recording after reading the questions.
  • Verify the type of answer you must write, such as a letter or a boxed option.
  • Keywords in the directions and questions can be highlighted or circled with a pencil to help you concentrate on what to listen for in the audio.
  • After the audio clip has finished playing, review the answers and use this time to be ready for the next section of the exam.

Understand specific information

It can occasionally be difficult to figure out which data to use to answer the question. You must pay close attention while answering specific questions, such as form-filling, to enter specific details such as name, date, and time. Make sure you do the following to better understand the question that was asked:
  • Make sure you are aware of the information you are listening for by reading carefully the question.
  • After you have studied the material for a while, pay attention to the directions.
  • Since the words or phrases used in the recording will change from the wording in your question booklet, consider synonyms for your keywords words that have comparable meanings.

Following a description

Labeling a map, plan, or diagram is one of the possible activities in Part 2 of the Listening exam. Here, you'll have to figure out the locations of objects, their arrangement, and their functions. You may be given a task that asks you to identify locations, structures, parts, or steps in a process. The recording will contain a few keywords to help you navigate. These terms could be:
  • Adjectives and verbs (size, shape, quality)
  • Directions (east, west, north, and south)
  • Place-specific prepositions (in front of, next to, behind)

Understanding a conversation

You must follow a conversation with up to four speakers discussing a study or business-related topic in Part 3 of the IELTS Listening exam. You will be asked to listen for important data, concepts, justifications, viewpoints, or opinions. Because it can be difficult to tell who is speaking and what they are saying, always:
  • Before listening to the audio, read the text.
  • Write down details about the speakers, their connections, and how the information relates to the situation.
  • You can use this to predict which speaker will speak next and what topics they will cover.
Section wise IELTS Band Score Links
IELTS Reading Band Score IELTS Listening Band Score
IELTS Speaking Band Score IELTS Writing Band Score

PhysicsWallah Guidance for IELTS Exam

Remember that a strong IELTS band score can increase your chances of admission to the world's best colleges. It is your opportunity to display your English skills and take an essential step towards your foreign education aspirations. Students need a systematic preparation strategy to cover all areas and get the desired band score. PhysicsWallah offers IELTS online classes , including a structured preparation strategy.
IELTS Exam Other Related Links
IELTS Exam IELTS Academic Vs General
IELTS  Registration IELTS Eligibility Criteri a
IELTS Mock Test IDP IELTS Test Centers
IELTS Cut Off IDP IELTS Slot Booking

Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Listening Exam FAQs

Q1- What is the trick for listening in IELTS?

Ans- Prepare to hear synonyms or rephrased statements instead. Proper time management. Use it to read the upcoming questions and make predictions about the answers. Practice hearing various accents like British, American, Australian, and other English accents are used on the IELTS.

Q2- Can we write while listening in IELTS?

Ans- You can write on any area of the question paper, underline words, and take notes. The answer sheet alone will be graded. Making notes on your question paper is quite helpful and can help you in finding the answers.

Q3- What is the effect of misspelled words?

Ans- Writers who misspell words risk serious consequences. It gives the impression that their work is messy and unprofessional. If readers are unable to figure out the writer's incorrect spelling, it may cause them to become confused or misunderstand.

Q4- Can we repeat audio in IELTS Listening?

Ans- Recordings are only played once on the IELTS Listening exam, students commonly make more mistakes.
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