The best thing about the IELTS listening exam is that you will always have the same question types. This makes the test predictable.

Before the listening test, make sure you know what the question types look like, what the instructions will be for that question type and what you will be expected to do for each question type.

You will receive the following types of questions, tasks and instructions on the test.

1.Multiple Choice

Task: Read the question and pick the best answer from the 3/4/5 choices based on what you hear on the recording.
Instructions: Choose the best answer A, B, C or D.

2.Selecting Pictures

Task: Choose a picture that best describes what you hear.
Instructions: Choose the correct letter.

3.Short Answer Questions

Task: Answer using 1, 2 or 3 words.
Instructions: Complete the table/notes. Use NO MORE THAN 3 WORDS for each answer.

4.Sentence Completion

Task: Make the sentence complete by adding information.
Instructions: Complete the sentences. Use NO MORE THAN 3 WORDS for each answer.

5.Form Completion

Task: Complete the blank fields of the form.
Instructions: Complete the form. Use NO MORE THAN 3 WORDS for each answer.

6.Chart / Table Completion

Task: Complete the blank fields of the chart or table.
Instructions: Complete the table/notes. Use NO MORE THAN 3 WORDS for each answer.

7.Gap-Fill

Task: Choose words to fill the gaps from the information provided in a list or the information that you hear.
Instructions: Complete the notes. Use NO MORE THAN 3 WORDS for each answer.

8.Labelling Diagrams

Task: Write a description using 1, 2 or 3 words to describe a diagram using the information that you hear.
Instructions: Complete the diagram / label the diagram. Use NO MORE THAN 3 WORDS for each answer

Bonus Tip!

You should be so prepared before you take the test that you are not surprised by any of the tasks you need to do, or the instructions that you hear. This is the preparation you need to do before the test to be successful.