The IELTS Reading test contains 40 questions. Each correctly answered question fetches 1 mark. Therefore, the maximum score you can achieve is 40. A band score ranging from Band 1 to Band 9 is then awarded on the basis of this score.

When marking the Writing section of the test, examiners use detailed assessment criteria which describe written and spoken performance at each of the 9 IELTS bands. Examiners give a band score for each of the 4 areas: Task Achievement (for Task 1), Task Response (for Task 2), Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. These 4 are given equal-weighted. The writing component consists of 2 parts, one is Academic and the other one is General. Most students opt for the Academic pattern which is a bit tough, but in the General IELTS, the candidate has to undergo a Letter writing session. Task 2 carries more weightage in your final band score than Task 1. 1. Remember: illegible handwriting will reduce your final score.

Examiners award a band score for each of the 4 criterion areas: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. These 4 get equal weightage. There are three parts of the test and are in the form of an interview. The interview will most probably seem like a friendly conversation that typically covers some aspects of your past, present, and future situations.

The test has 40 questions. The listening materials are recorded on a cassette tape/CD/DVD and you will get a chance to hear it just once. When the recorded material ends you will have just 10 minutes to copy your answers into the answer sheet.