Listening
30 minutes · 4 sections · 40 questions · 25% of your band · identical for Academic and General Training
Recordings are played once only. The difficulty rises steadily: everyday conversation first, an academic lecture last. On paper you get 10 extra minutes to transfer answers; on computer you do not.
| Section | Focus | Format | Items |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Everyday conversation | Two speakers · social or transactional context (booking, enquiry, sign-up) | 10 |
| 2 | Everyday monologue | One speaker · a talk, tour or briefing on a local topic | 10 |
| 3 | Academic discussion | Up to four speakers · students and a tutor discussing an assignment | 10 |
| 4 | Academic lecture | One speaker · an uninterrupted university-style lecture | 10 |
1 · Everyday conversation
Form / note completion — usually names, numbers, dates, prices.
What it tests: Listening for specific factual detail and spelling under pressure.
2 · Everyday monologue
Map or plan labelling, matching, multiple choice.
What it tests: Following directions, sequencing and tracking a single speaker.
3 · Academic discussion
Multiple choice, matching, flow-chart completion.
What it tests: Opinion, agreement and disagreement, attitude — heavy distractor use.
4 · Academic lecture
Note or summary completion, usually with no options given.
What it tests: Sustained concentration, paraphrase recognition and academic vocabulary.
Official samples