What is IELTS Listening?

The IELTS listening test is the same for both those taking the Academic and General Training papers. It consists of 40 questions (10 per section) and lasts around 30 minutes. You will have 10 minutes at the end to transfer your answers from the question paper to the answer sheet. The listening test consists of four separate sections, each more difficult than the last. In other words, part one is the easiest and part four is the most difficult. Each part has a different theme or focus.