How to Practice IELTS Listening: The IELTS Listening test can be challenging due to variou accents and tone. But with the right practice, it is possible to achieve a good IELTS band score. The IELTS Listening test has four sections, each with different types of questions. To perform well, candidates need to practice regularly and focus on understanding the audio. The IELTS Listening test practices include audios in a variety of accents, practicing with real test materials, and improving your note-taking skills. Here, we have included some important tips and strategies for how to practice IELTS Listening test for a better score.
The IELTS Listening test requires you to understand various accents and respond quickly. Here’s how to practice the question types efficiently:
1. Understand the Test Format
Duration: 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes to transfer answers)
Sections: 4 (40 questions)
Accents: British, American, Australian, etc.
Familiarize yourself with the question types: multiple choice, gap-fill, matching, etc.
2. Use Authentic Practice Materials
IELTS Practice Books (e.g., Cambridge IELTS series)
Online IELTS Listening Samples to simulate real exam conditions
3. Listen to Varied Accents
To prepare for different English accents, listen to podcasts, TED Talks, news, and movies from various English-speaking countries.
4. Focus on Active Listening
Practice with subtitles first, then without them.
Note-taking: Practice summarizing key points quickly.
5. Simulate Test Conditions
Timed Practice: Mimic real test conditions by limiting time for each section.
No Rewinding: Listen once and answer immediately.
6. Review Mistakes
After each practice, analyze your errors and identify areas to improve (e.g., accents, question types).
7. Daily Practice
Set aside 15-30 minutes each day to practice listening to different materials, including news, podcasts, and IELTS mock tests.
The IELTS Listening test includes 11 main question types. Different IELTS Listening question types are as follows:
Multiple choice questions
Matching questions
Map and plan labelling
Diagram labelling
Form completion
Note completion
Table completion
Flow-chart completion
Summary completion
Sentence completion
Short-answer questions
The IELTS Listening Test assesses your ability to understand spoken English in various accents and contexts. Here are some important strategies to help you solve IELTS Listening Test.
Duration: 30 minutes (plus 10 minutes to transfer answers)
Total Questions: 40
Sections: 4 (social conversations, academic discussions, etc.)
Accents: British, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, and American
1200 Common Words in IELTS Listening, Complete List
Section 1: Social Conversation
Focus on specific details (e.g., names, dates, places).
Anticipate the type of information needed (numbers, names, etc.).
Section 2: Social Monologue
Listen for keywords and instructions.
Pay attention to sequence words (first, next, finally).
Section 3: Academic Conversation
Differentiate between various speakers and their views.
Practice listening for agreement/disagreement.
Section 4: Academic Monologue
Take notes efficiently (use abbreviations).
Expect formal, academic vocabulary.
How to Practice IELTS listening? Types and Strategies
The Cambridge IELTS Listening Practice Tests from books 1, 3, 5, 10, 13, and 15 are provided below.
The Cambridge IELTS Listening Practice Tests are available in PDF format below.
IELTS Practice Test for Listening |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 1 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 2 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 3 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 4 |
The Cambridge IELTS exam The Cambridge 3 IELTS Listening Practice Tests available in PDF format below.
Cambridge 3 IELTS Listening Practice Tests PDFs |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 1 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 2 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 3 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 4 |
Here are a few free downloadable PDFs of the Cambridge 5 IELTS Listening Practice Tests.
Cambridge 3 IELTS Listening Practice Tests PDFs |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 1 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 2 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 3 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 4 |
You can download the 2025 Cambridge 10 IELTS Listening Practice Test PDFs below.
Cambridge 3 IELTS Listening Practice Tests PDFs |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 1 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 2 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 3 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 4 |
Cambridge 13 IELTS Listening Practice Test PDFs are available below.
Cambridge 3 IELTS Listening Practice Tests PDFs |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 1 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 2 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 3 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 4 |
You can download the Cambridge 15 IELTS Listening Practice Tests in PDF format below.
Cambridge 3 IELTS Listening Practice Tests PDFs |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 1 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 2 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 3 |
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IELTS Listening Practice Test 4 |
Physics Wallah offers multiple online IELTS courses for all students. Follow the IELTS pages to better prepare for the exam.
What is IELTS Exam? | Documents Required for IELTS Registration |
IELTS exam eligibility requirements | IELTS Exam Fees |
IELTS test results | IELTS Exam Pattern |