IELTS Listening Test Changes Jan 2020

Starting January 4th, the IELTS listening test will have the following changes:

IELTS Listening Test Change 1

There will be no example played in part 1. Usually there would be an example answer for you to listen to at the start of the recording. This helped you get used to the accent and check the volume if you were using headphones. This example has now been removed. This is a very important change that you need to be ready for. You must listen carefully from the start of the recording for answer 1.

IELTS Listening Test Change 2

The word “sections” will now be changed to “parts”. This won’t affect the actual test, but it is something that is useful to know.

IELTS Listening Test Change 3

There will be no page number references. But there will still be references to question number. Again, this is no big change for you, but it is something to be aware of.

There are no other changes to the IELTS Listening Test or the Reading, Writing or Speaking Tests. For pros and cons of the computer based test, see this page: Computer based IELTS. For useful information about the IELTS test does and don’ts, see this page: IELTS FAQ Visit the Official IELTS page for verification of the above changes: IELTS Listening Test Format

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Comments

  1. Laraib Fatima says

    Hey Liz!

    I have registered for October’s Test 2020. Please confirm it to me as you have mentioned above that there are no changes in Writing, Reading and Speaking ” Are they still same? I mean on the same format as were before?

    Looking forward for your reply. Just to get rid of my confusion.
    Regards,
    Laraib

    • They are all the same. The format as barely changed in many many years.

    • Can I read the questions in other parts in advance in Listening Test?
      Will the audio be played continuously?
      Also, do I need to press submit after all the tests done?

      • Certainly you get the chance to read the questions before the audio starts. Did you get a real IELTS test to practice at home? You MUST do that. That is the only way you will become familiar with the timing for questions and how quickly you need to read the questions. The BC IELTS website has one test for free or you can get the IELTS Cambridge test books which contain real test.

  2. Daisy Santos says

    Hi Liz,

    Good to be back in your page again to get tips for my upcoming exam.

    I have taken IELTS exam 2 years ago and now I am going to take again. So, beside the listening part, is it true that there are changes in speaking part as well?

    Thank you.

    Regards,
    DS

    • There have been no changes in the speaking test. It’s still the same as before. There is the option in many countries for taking the computer based test for LR&W – that might be something you could consider if you prefer using computers. Good luck with your next test 🙂

  3. From where I can find a practice test for Computer based exam?

    • On the BC IELTS website, they have questions which you can practice that are computer based, but not a whole test. You need to use paper tests if you want a full test practice.

  4. is there any change on the level on listening? some people say that it becomes faster and harder.

    • The level of the listening test has not changed. It is the same level of difficult as last year and the year before etc. The different parts of the test have a different level of difficulty. Part 1 and 2 are about social situations and part 3 and 4 are about academic situations. This means part 3 and 4 are more difficult.

  5. Dixit Patel says

    Is there any changes in speaking…??? Because many students talk about it…😅

  6. Thanks Liz for the update….

  7. Chandru says

    Hi Liz
    Is these changes also applicable to computer based listening test?

    Thanks

    • Yes. The listening test is not different at all on computer except for the time to check answers at the end.

      • what’s up Liz?

        is there any changes related with how to judge band scores, because many new listening tests such as Cambridge 15 listening on youtube is giving us very tough band score judging. For example; if i got 35-37 correctly it would be 7, it used to be would get
        8 before isn’t ?

  8. Amritpal Kaur says

    Thanks Liz for the update,,🙂

  9. Thanks liz appreciate the heada up

  10. Thanks for alarming us

  11. Thanks Liz

  12. Shirley says

    Thanks so much Liz, this was helpful.

  13. Dr. SKN says

    Hello Liz,

    Extending warm new year greetings! I came across a piece of information which claims the newly introduced changes, one of which is the one you mentioned about in the listening module. However, it also says that speaking test can now be taken via video calling, without the examiner being present there physically. I always prefer to confirm things using authentic sources. Hence, I did look up the official IELTS website, which does talk a little about this freshly introduced option of taking speaking test, although, it doesn’t elaborate on the aspect whether it’s optional or remains confined to the computer delivered test takers. Could you please confirm/throw some light on this?

    • This is an option in some test centers – but unlikely in all. I suggest you speak with your test center directly about this.

  14. Thanks for the update

  15. Thank you so much Liz for updating these useful changes on your site ! Your site is indeed very helpful for people who are preparing for IELTS.

  16. Very useful updates!!!

  17. Imrana says

    Thanks a ton for this valuable update. I am planning to sit IELTS on the 11th of this month. Also, I was hoping if you could tell me whether 1. using the time to check answers can be used to read through the upcoming ones in Listening, and 2. will my answers be okay if I wrote them all in capital letters.

    • It is always a good idea to read the questions coming and underline keywords. Yes, it’s fine to write all answers using capital letters for reading and listening.

  18. Thank you so much Liz.

  19. Eng.luchanganya, paul says

    Thanks a lot for this important updating
    Stay blessed

  20. Anil Raj Gautam says

    Today I have appeared the IELTS academic test,, the listening was somewhat fast than cambridge itelts books. As told , there is no any example in listening. Also, the reading was quite complex to find the answer. Part 1 was easy, but part 2 and 3 were complex for me.

  21. Obioma says

    Liz thanks alot for the info.The truth remains that some of us might still have the mindset of expecting to hear the example and by the time you’ll understand what’s really happening,you might miss out some part of the question.

    • I understand. It is a shame they removed the example. But at least you will be ready now. Awareness and knowledge will help you 🙂

  22. Thanks alot , liz.the first change is not good at all.

  23. Ravi Prakash Goyal says

    I have taken the test on 28th Dec and there was no example played in listening test. I was expecting the example and the recording was played continuously without pause for example. This lost my concentration and I might have answered first question wrong due to this. This should have been published by ielts well in advance.

  24. So what’s the rationale for these changes

  25. OSAMA ELSAYED says

    Thanks for your kind update

  26. Sithembiso says

    Thanks a lot Liz

  27. Isaac Adedayo says

    Thanks for the update

  28. Queen Imagwe says

    Thanks so much for this

  29. Fatai saka says

    Thanks so much for this information.

  30. Michael Addai says

    Thanks for the update mum

  31. Fadzai says

    Thanks Liz for the update

  32. Ananthy Ram says

    Thanks Liz for updated version of listening starting from Jan.4th

  33. daksh agarwal says

    thanka for the update . I appreciate the thought.

  34. Thanks a bunch LIZ.

  35. Fardoon says

    Thank you for the info 🙂

  36. to me i dont think that is so important afterall

    • These are small changes. However, the lack of example at the start of the test is different and needs to be noticed.

  37. This isn’t good and I do not think the students were consulted before hand.
    For me , it’s no no

  38. Hi Liz,

    Is this applicable to both computer and paper based test?

    Thanks,
    Yash

    • Of course. Both tests are 100% the same except for the inevitable differences based on answers being typed directly into the computer.

  39. Prakash J says

    Thank you so much liz for your update

  40. Thanks a great deal, Liz.

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