IELTS Practice Tests
Practice IELTS online for free. Sharpen your Listening and Reading with exam-format tests, band scoring from 1.0 to 9.0 and progress tracking to help you reach your target band.
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Keep improving
π Reach your target IELTS band faster with daily vocabulary and listening practice. Keep your streak going!
IELTS vocabulary
IELTS listening practice
Practise for IELTS online
IELTS is scored band 0 to 9 per skill. On Parroto you can practise two of them - Listening and Reading - in the real exam format, with band scoring and answer explanations. They are also the two skills that respond fastest to steady practice.
What you can practise on Parroto
Parroto focuses on Listening and Reading - real exam format, band scoring from 1.0 to 9.0, and explanations for every answer. We do not mark Writing or Speaking. You can still build speaking fluency with shadowing and listening accuracy with dictation here.
IELTS test structure
| Skill | Time | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | ~30 min (+10 min transfer) | 40 questions, 4 sections |
| Reading | 60 min | 40 questions (Academic or General) |
| Writing | 60 min | 2 tasks |
| Speaking | 11-14 min | One-to-one interview, 3 parts |
This is the structure of the real IELTS exam, for the full picture.
The IELTS band scale
Each skill is scored from band 0 to 9. Your Overall band is the average of the four skills, rounded to the nearest 0.5 - 6.25 rounds to 6.5, for example.
| Band | Level |
|---|---|
| 5.0β5.5 | Intermediate; communicates basically but with errors |
| 6.0β6.5 | Meets the entry bar at many universities |
| 7.0β7.5 | Good; meets most academic and immigration requirements |
| 8.0+ | Very good, close to fully proficient |
Academic or General Training?
Academic is for university study and professional registration; General Training is for migration and work. Listening and Speaking are identical in both; Reading and Writing differ.
How to prepare for IELTS
Listening: practise with dictation
Daily dictation trains you for native speed and for catching the exact keywords, numbers and names that IELTS Listening targets.
Speaking: practise with shadowing
Shadowing builds fluency and intonation and cuts hesitation. Even though Parroto does not mark Speaking, it is still an effective way to train the reflex.
Learn academic vocabulary by topic
Revise the topics that keep coming up: environment, education, technology, health. Band 6.5+ leans heavily on academic vocabulary range.
Sit timed mock tests
Work to the real clock so you get used to the pressure and can see which skill to fix first.
Frequently asked questions
What sections does IELTS have?
IELTS has four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Listening and Speaking are the same in both Academic and General. On Parroto you can practise Listening and Reading.
How is the IELTS band score calculated?
Each skill is scored from band 0 to 9. The Overall band is the average of the four skills, rounded to the nearest 0.5 (6.25 rounds to 6.5).
What is the difference between IELTS Academic and General Training?
They differ in Reading and Writing; Listening and Speaking are the same. Academic is for university study, General Training for migration and work.
How do I practise IELTS Listening effectively?
Do dictation daily to get used to the speed and to catch keywords, and sit timed mock tests to build the reflex.
How long does it take to gain 0.5-1.0 band?
Usually 1-3 months with steady, well-directed practice - especially if you focus on your weakest skill and train listening and speaking every day.