General IELTS Listening Test Strategies

There isn’t much you can do, but there are some hints. First of all, you get time to read the questions at the start of each section and mid-way in each section. Use this time (usually 20 seconds) wisely. You should know in advance all the questions before you hear the recording. At the end of the sections, you also get some time to check your answers. Try to use this time to check through, and then turn ahead to read the next questions in advance.

When you read the questions, you can usually predict some of the types of answers that will come. For example, in Section 1, if you can see that the question is asking for a telephone number, then you know you’ll be listening out for numbers and the word telephone. In the later sections, this becomes more complicated, but the same technique can be used. Think about this when you are practising, so you can develop this skill.

Tips and Ideas about the IELTS Listening Test

As in all IELTS tests, the questions get harder as the test goes on. You will see from your practice that the types of listening passages and questions that you encounter become pro­gressively difficult from section to section. This does not mean that by Section 4 they are impossible, but they are more demanding linguistically.

Beware of some questions which require a number (i.e. a telephone number) or some letters (i.e. a postcode) as sometimes what you think is the answer will be read out only for the speaker to correct himself/herself and then say the correct answer.

In the actual test, at the end, you have an extra 10 minutes to transfer your answers from the question paper to the answer sheet. Some people put their answers directly onto the answer sheet. You’d better write the answers on the question paper and use the 10 min­utes given at the end for the transfer. Writing the answers on the question paper allows you to keep your concentration on the questions and, if you make a mistake, it’s not so difficult to correct.

Don’t panic if you miss an answer. If it has really gone, then it is history. Worrying and panicking is only going to make you miss another one. One miss is probably not going to destroy your mark, so calm down and listen for the next one. Sometimes you think you have missed it but you are mistaken. If you are calm and keep listening, maybe the answer will come or even be repeated.

Never leave a question unanswered, especially if it is only a multiple-choice question or something similar. Guess if you really don’t know. There are no marks taken away for wrong answers or even stupid answers. So, have a go! Logic, general knowledge or just luck might give you the right answer!

Pay attention if you hear someone spelling a word.

You might hear someone in a recording confirming the spelling of a word, often a name, e.g. The surname is Goforth, G-0-F-O-R-T-H. If a word or name is spelt out, it is very likely that it is the answer to one of the questions. Make sure you know how to say the letters of the alphabet in English, especially the vowels.