# IELTS Listening: Format, Question Types and Tips | topin IELTS guidesIELTS Listening ![](/mountains/listening.webp) IELTS Academic # IELTS Listening: format, question types and how to score higher IELTS Listening is a 30-minute test of four recordings and 40 questions, and you hear each recording only once. Scoring well takes fast prediction, careful spelling and strict attention to word limits. [Take a free IELTS mock ](/ielts/login) Updated 29 September 2026 ยท 4 min read ## At a glance Time About 30 minutes, plus 2 minutes to check (computer) or 10 minutes to transfer answers (paper) Parts 4 recordings, 10 questions each Questions 40, one mark each Playback Each recording is played once Accents A range of native-speaker accents, including British, Australian, North American and New Zealand Score Raw score out of 40, converted to a band from 0 to 9 in half bands ## IELTS Listening question types ### Multiple choice Choose one answer from three options, or two or more answers from a longer list. Tip: Underline the difference between the options before the audio starts. Speakers often mention every option, so wait for the one they confirm rather than the first one you hear. ### Matching Match a numbered list of items, such as people or places, to a set of options. Tip: The questions follow the order of the recording but the options do not. Keep your eyes on the numbered items and scan the option list only when you hear a match. ### Plan, map and diagram labelling Label parts of a map, building plan or technical diagram, either from a list or in your own words. Tip: Before the audio, find the starting point and note compass directions and landmarks. Listen for position language such as opposite, next to, at the far end and on your left. ### Form, note, table, flow-chart and summary completion Fill gaps in a form, set of notes, table, flow chart or summary using words from the recording. Tip: Read the words around each gap and predict the kind of answer: a number, a name, a plural noun. Check the word limit every time, because an answer over the limit is marked wrong. ### Sentence completion Complete sentences that summarise key information from the recording. Tip: Your completed sentence must be grammatical. If the gap follows 'a', the answer is a singular noun that starts with a consonant sound. ### Short-answer questions Answer questions about facts in the recording, such as places, prices or times, within a word limit. Tip: Write only the key words. Leave out articles and repeated words from the question so you stay inside the limit. ## How IELTS Listening is scored Each of the 40 questions is worth one mark, and your raw score is converted to a band from 0 to 9 in half bands. The conversion varies slightly between papers, but 30 out of 40 is usually about 7.0, 23 is about 6.0 and 35 is about 8.0\. Spelling counts, and answers that break the word limit score nothing. You can turn any raw score into a band with the IELTS band score calculator at /ielts/band-score-calculator. [IELTS band score calculatorTurn Listening and Reading raw scores into bands, and work out your overall band.](/ielts/band-score-calculator) ## How to prepare for IELTS Listening 1. 1 ### Use the reading time to predict You get time before each part to read the questions. Use it to mark what kind of word each gap needs and which words in the question you are listening for. Prediction is what lets you keep up when you only hear the audio once. 2. 2 ### Listen for paraphrase, not the exact words The recording rarely repeats the wording on the page. 'Cheapest' may be heard as 'won't cost you much', and 'weekly' as 'every seven days'. When you review practice tests, write down each paraphrase you missed. 3. 3 ### Watch for distractors and corrections Speakers change their minds, correct each other and reject options. Words like actually, sorry, I mean and in fact often signal that the answer is about to change, so hold your pen until the speaker settles. 4. 4 ### Move on when you miss one If an answer goes past, guess, then follow the next question. Losing your place costs far more marks than one missed gap. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so never leave a blank. 5. 5 ### Train on full tests under test conditions Part 4 is a lecture with no break in the middle, and concentration drops by the end. Practise all four parts in one sitting, heard once, with no pausing. topin's mocks run Listening this way, with a 2-minute check at the end as on the computer test. ## Common IELTS Listening mistakes * Misspelling common words such as 'accommodation', 'environment' or 'Wednesday', which makes the answer wrong. * Going over the word limit by adding articles or extra words from the recording. * Writing the first option a speaker mentions instead of the one they finally choose. * Forgetting the plural 's' when the gap clearly needs a plural noun. * Losing your place after a missed answer and dropping the next two or three questions as well. ## IELTS Listening questions, answered How many questions are in IELTS Listening? There are 40 questions across four parts, with 10 questions in each part. Every question is worth one mark. Can I write in capitals in IELTS Listening? Yes. Answers can be written in capitals or lower case, and both are marked the same. On the paper test, capitals can make your handwriting easier to read. What band is 30 out of 40 in IELTS Listening? 30 out of 40 is usually a band 7.0\. The exact conversion varies slightly from paper to paper; the IELTS band score calculator at /ielts/band-score-calculator converts any raw score. Is the IELTS Listening recording played twice? No. Each recording is played once, so you need to read ahead and answer as you listen. Does spelling count in IELTS Listening? Yes. A misspelt answer is marked wrong. British and American spellings are both accepted. How long is the IELTS Listening test? The recordings last about 30 minutes. On the computer test you then get 2 minutes to check your answers; on paper you get 10 minutes to transfer them to the answer sheet. ## See where you stand in IELTS Listening Your first full-length IELTS mock is free, with every section included. [Take the free mock ](/ielts/login)