Prepare for IELTS with IELTS Progress Check

Take IELTS Progress Check to see how you are tracking with your IELTS test preparation. Structured in the same way as the IELTS exam, the official online practice test is available for both IELTS Academic and General Training. There is a range of new Academic and General Training practice tests to choose from.

The Progress Check for IELTS Academic follows a similar format to the IELTS exam itself. It is broken down into four sections - IELTS Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.

The IELTS Academic Listening component is made up of 40 questions. You will be played four recordings which could be a monologue or a conversation between people. 

The questions test your ability to understand:

• Main ideas presented in the dialogue

• Opinions and attitudes of speakers

• Purpose of the dialogue

• Development of ideas.

Part 1

You will hear a conversation between two people set in an everyday social situation. 

Part 2

You will hear a monologue set in an everyday social situation. The monologue may be a speech about local facilities, for example. 

Part 3

You will hear a conversation between a group of people (up to 4 people) in an educational or training situation. This could be a university tutor talking to their students about an assignment.

Part 4

You will hear a monologue on an academic subject. This could be a university lecturer presenting to their class.

At the end of the recording you will have some time to check your answers before you submit them for marking.

The Reading component is made up of 40 questions that focus on a wide range of reading skills. These include understanding:

• Main ideas

• Details

• Logical arguments

• Writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose.

The component includes three long texts that could be descriptive, factual, argumentative or analytical. And can be taken from books, journals, magazines or newspapers.

When you have completed the reading test, submit your answers for marking.

The Writing component is made up of two tasks and focuses on topics of general interest to you.

Task 1

You might be asked to describe, summarise or explain visual information presented to you. The information may be presented to you as a:

• Graph

• Table

• Chart

• Diagram.

You might be asked to describe:

• Data presented to you

• Stages of a process

• How something works

• An object or an event.

Task 2

You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

And, remember responses must be written in a formal style.

Progress Check has a word count feature to help you check that you have written the right amount of words.

In Progress Check for IELTS Academic, the Speaking component is split into 3 parts. You will be played a recording of an examiner's voice and using your microphone you will need to respond.

Part 1

You will hear an examiner's voice asking you general questions about yourself. You will have approximately 4 to 5 minutes to respond. Questions can be around familiar topics such as:

• Home life

• Family

• Work

• Studies

• Interests.

Part 2

You will hear a recorded question around a particular topic. You will have a minute to prepare your response and will be required to speak for about 2 minutes.

Part 3

You will hear some more questions that follow on from Part 2. These questions will allow you to discuss more abstract ideas and issues, and will take between 4 and 5 minutes to complete.

When the Speaking test is finished, the recording of the interview will automatically upload to the test platform.

The IELTS General practice test follows a similar format to the IELTS exam itself. It is broken down into four sections - IELTS Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.

The Listening component is made up of 40 questions and is split into 4 parts. You will be played four recordings which could be a monologue or a conversation between people.

Part 1

You will hear a conversation between two people set in an everyday social situation. 

Part 2

You will hear a monologue set in an everyday social situation. The monologue may be a speech about local facilities, for example. 

Part 3

You will hear a conversation between a group of people (up to 4 people) in an educational or training situation. This could be a university tutor talking to their students about an assignment.

Part 4

You will hear a monologue on an academic subject. This could be a university lecturer presenting to their class.

At the end of the recording you will have some time to check your answers before you submit them for marking.

The Reading component is made up of 40 questions that focus on a wide range of reading skills. These include understanding:

• Main ideas

• Details

• Logical arguments

• Writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose.

The reading materials are taken from things you might encounter in everyday life. You might be required to read extracts from:

• Books

• Magazines

• Newspapers

• Notices

• Advertisements

• Company handbooks and guidelines.

The Writing component is made up of two tasks that focus on your general interests.

Task 1

You will be presented with a situation. You will need to write a letter asking for information or to explain a situation. The letter can be:

• Personal

• Semi-formal

• Formal.

Task 2

You will be asked to write an essay in response to:

• A point of view

• An argument

• A problem.

Compared to IELTS Academic Writing Task 2, this essay can be more personal in style.

The Speaking component is the same format for both IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic. In Progress Check for IELTS General Training, the Speaking component is split into 3 parts. You will be played a recording of an examiner's voice and using your microphone you will need to respond.

Part 1

You will hear an examiner's voice asking you general questions about yourself. You will have approximately 4 to 5 minutes to respond. Questions can be around familiar topics such as:

• Home life

• Family

• Work

• Studies

• Interests.

Part 2

You will hear a recorded question around a particular topic. You will have a minute to prepare your response and will be required to speak for about 2 minutes.

Part 3

You will hear some more questions that follow on from Part 2. These questions will allow you to discuss more abstract ideas and issues, and will take between 4 and 5 minutes to complete.

When the Speaking test is finished, the recording of the interview will automatically upload to the test platform.

IELTS Progress Check is marked by trained and qualified IELTS Experts.

You will get an official feedback report which includes:

• An indicative overall test band score

• An indicative band score for each part of the test (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking)

• Personalised comments on your Writing and Speaking performance chosen by your IELTS marker.

Your feedback report will be available within 5 days of completing your IELTS Progress Check practice test.

To buy Progress Check, visit https://ieltsprogresscheck.com/