How the Listening test works
The Listening test has four parts, 40 questions, and takes about 30 minutes. You hear each recording only once.
- Part 1: a conversation between two people in an everyday situation, such as booking a course or reporting a lost item. Often a form or notes to complete.
- Part 2: one speaker on an everyday topic, such as a tour or an information talk. Maps and plans often appear here.
- Part 3: a discussion between two or three speakers in an educational setting, such as students planning a project with a tutor.
- Part 4: a single speaker giving a lecture on an academic topic. No break in the middle.
On the computer-delivered test you get 2 minutes at the end to check your answers. On paper you get 10 minutes to transfer them to the answer sheet. Band 7 typically needs about 30 out of 40.
Getting used to the accents
The test uses a range of English accents, with British voices common. Many Mumbai students hear more American English through films, series and online content than British English, and that can make the first few sets feel fast.
The fix is exposure. IELTS Learning's 88 Listening sets are recorded with British voices and cover all four parts: forms, maps and plans, multiple choice, two- and three-speaker discussions and lectures. Alongside them, listen to British radio, podcasts and documentaries for a few minutes each day. Your commute is ideal for this kind of light listening, even if it is not the place for timed sets.
Spelling and numbers: the easiest marks to lose
A correct answer spelt wrongly is marked wrong. These are the errors that come up again and again:
- Double letters in spelt-out names: "double s", "double t".
- Letters that sound alike, such as A, E and I, or B, P and V. Practise the English alphabet aloud if you are unsure.
- Numbers: "fifteen" and "fifty" differ mainly in stress. Phone numbers may use "double six" or "oh" for zero.
- Dates and times: know how to write "the third of March" and "half past seven" in the format asked.
- Plurals: if the speaker says "tickets", "ticket" is wrong.
- Word limits: "NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS" means exactly that; three words is wrong even if the meaning is right.
Maps and plans
Map questions worry many students, but they follow a pattern. Before the audio starts, find the starting point ("You are here", or the entrance), and note the compass directions and the main landmarks. Then listen for direction language: "opposite", "next to", "on your left as you come in", "at the far end", "just past".
Practise with a pencil if you are taking paper, and with the drag-and-drop screens if you are taking the computer test, so the format is familiar.
Answers come in question order
In almost all question types, the answers come in the same order as the questions. This is a powerful tool:
- Read ahead and underline key words for the next two or three questions.
- If you miss one, let it go. Move your attention to the next question rather than trying to remember what was said.
- Watch for distractors. Speakers often say one thing and then correct it: "Tuesday... actually, no, Thursday is better." The second answer counts.
Practising Listening in a noisy city
Mumbai is not quiet. Traffic, construction, neighbours and household noise can all interfere, and a single missed sentence can cost two answers. For timed practice:
- Use good headphones, ideally ones that block outside sound. If you are taking the computer test, practise with headphones because you will use them on the day.
- Choose a quiet time, such as early morning or late evening.
- No replays. In timed sets, play the audio once only, as in the real test.
- Review with the transcript afterwards, listening again to the exact sentence that caught you out.
After each session of IELTS Listening practice, every wrong answer goes into your Mistake Notebook, so you can spot patterns: is it spelling, numbers, maps or distractors?
Common errors, and when to move up
Beyond spelling, students commonly lose marks by writing the word they expect rather than the word they hear, missing the speaker's correction, and losing focus during Part 4. Once you are scoring 30 or more consistently, try the Charged Listening sets, which are harder and aimed at band 7 and above.
Start your IELTS Listening practice in Mumbai
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