IELTS Mock Test: Best Resources & Comparison of Tests
The purpose of the IELTS mock test is to familiarise test takers with the actual exam pattern and its format so they can appear for the test without hesitation or anxiety. It holds for every kind of assessment, be it competitive exams or proficiency tests; until one has a strong command over the nature of the evaluation, it is very tough to get through it. In this blog, you will be introduced to the IELTS exam pattern through some of the best sources of mock tests, including their features, price and comparison.
What is an IELTS Mock Test?
The IELTS mock test is a practice test paper that mimics the actual test environment to evaluate English language skills. These test papers have the same format and pattern as the exam questions. Since IELTS is a world-renowned English language proficiency test, aspirants must have a specialised master plan to crack it. This master plan must include a thorough understanding of the exam format, pattern, and type of questions, which comes with rigorous practice constantly. Whether they plan to appear in the test for the first time or want to improve their band score, attempting the IELTS mock test can assist them in the best possible ways.
| Official Website | https://www.ieltsidpindia.com/ |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Hours 45 Minutes |
| Mode of Delivery | IELTS on Computer IELTS on Paper |
| Types | IELTS Academic Test IELTS General Training Test IELTS Life Skills UKVI |
| Sections | Reading Writing Speaking Listening |
| Score Range | Between 0-9 (Total Band Score) |
Why is the IELTS Mock Test Important?
The importance of the IELTS exam can be understood by the fact that its score is accepted by over 12,000 institutions worldwide, and every year, approximately 3.5 million students and working professionals attempt this test. This number continually increases yearly, making IELTS the most popular English language proficiency exam. To prepare for this exam on account of the above data, one needs consistent efforts and a dedicated approach to master the individual sections of the exam. Below, we have discussed the critical aspects of attempting IELTS mock tests.
Precision in Preparation: The mock test makes test pursuers familiar with the IELTS test format and question type, which helps them prepare for the test with great precision. They also get used to the natural test environment, which gives them a feeling of relaxation during the exam.
Mock Test as Simulation: Appearing in the mock test can familiarise students not only with the IELTS exam format but also with the steps that need to be taken before, during, and after the test, which is essential to learn before sitting for an actual exam.
Time Management: Mock tests help students manage their allotted time well by revealing how much time they should give to a specific test section and how to answer the questions productively and efficiently.
Spotting Strengths and Weaknesses: IELTS mock tests also help test pursuers acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses, which they might otherwise ignore. It brings subtle refinement in their prep strategies, enhancing the possibility of getting a good score.
Types of IELTS Exam
Following is the general overview of different types of IELTS exams, including content, duration, format, and validity.
| Type of IELTS | Content | Exam Duration | Format | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Academic English based on college/university | 2 Hours 45 Minutes | Listening Writing Reading Speaking | 2 Years |
| IELTS General Training Test | Academic English based on university coursework and English used in | 2 Hours 45 Minutes | Listening Writing Reading Speaking | 2 Years |
| IELTS Life Skills | The English language is used in everyday life, such as at the workplace and in society | Varies from 16-20 minutes, depending on the level | Discussion on tasks related to: Personal details Friends Family Buying goods Work Health Leisure etc. | 2 Years |
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IELTS Exam Pattern
Before discussing the IELTS mock test further, let us quickly go through the IELTS exam pattern and format needed to understand the nature of the exam, as mentioned previously, various times. The IELTS exam pattern is divided into four sections:
- Listening section – 40 questions in 30 minutes
- Academic Reading section – 40 questions in 60 minutes
- Academic Writing section – 2 tasks in 60 minutes
- Speaking section – 3 parts in 11-14 minutes
| Sections | Questions/Task | Time Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 40 questions | 30 minutes | Hearing recorded conversations and answering the questions based on it |
| Academic Reading | 40 questions | 60 minutes | Reading the descriptive passages and answering the questions |
| Academic Writing | 2 tasks | 60 minutes | Written discussion on a given point of view, topic or argument |
| Speaking | 3 parts | 11-14 minutes | Stating opinions or answers orally based on topics related to a topic like a study, home, family, etc. |
IELTS Exam Pattern: Section Wise Descriptions
The IELTS exam paper consists of questions from the following sections:
Listening Section
Content: 4 recorded conversations
Number of questions: 40 questions in four parts (10 questions in each part)
Time Duration: 30 minutes (10 minutes extra for answer writing)
Marking: Each correct response will grant 1 mark.
Type of questions
The listening section of the IELTS exam consists of questions of the following types:
- MCQs
- Matching
- Diagram labelling/plan/map
- Form/note/table/flow chart/summary completion
- Sentence completion
- Short answer questions
Reading Section
Content: 3 texts; the total text length is 2150-2750 words.
Number of questions: 40 questions in three parts
Time Duration: 60 minutes
Marking: Each correct response will grant 1 mark
Type of questions
The reading section of the IELTS Exam consists of questions of the following types:
- MCQs
- Identifying the writer’s claim/view
- Matching Information
- Short answer questions
- Diagram labelling
- Summary/note/flowchart
- Sentence Completion
- Matching sentence ending
Writing Section
Content: Tasks to communicate the idea/opinion or logic in written form.
Number of questions: 2 tasks
Time Duration: 60 minutes
Type of questions
The writing section consists of questions based on the following topics:
- Task 1: Discussion on Chart, diagram, picture, object’s photo, etc
- Task 2: Discussion on relevant issues related to general awareness.
Speaking Section
Content: Discussion between the test taker and the examiner
Number of tasks: 3 tasks
Time Duration: 11-14 minutes
Type of questions
The speaking section of the IELTS exam consists of questions based on the following topics:
- Task 1 – Introduction & Interview
Time Duration: 4-5 minutes
- Task 2 – Long Turn
Time Duration: 3-4 minutes
- Task 3 – Discussion
Time Duration: 4-5 minutes
IELTS Mock Test: What is Best For You?
When it comes to finding mock tests for the IELTS exam, the internet offers plenty of choices, both free and paid. We have provided a list of the popular IELTS mock test resources that are popular among test pursuers because of their credibility and ability to cover the topics comprehensively.
| Features | IELTS Prepare by IDP | IELTS Ready by British Council | Udemy’s Complete Academic Practice Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Question Quality | High-quality questions by the same team conducting the IELTS | High-quality questions set by the same team conducting IELTS | High-quality questions set by experienced experts |
| Price | Free | Free and Premium (GBP 15 or INR 1,622 per week) | Premium (INR 499) |
| No. of Mocks | 70 | 46 | 5 |
| Top Features | Assessment of English language skills in fresher test takers Conducts familiarisation test Personalised study plan | Practice exercises for all question types Advice from real test-takers IELTS webinars on the latest updates | 5 Conducts master class to understand methodology and tips for each section of the exam Band score calculator to help test takers determine the band score Provides comprehensive and concise study materials for the IELTS exam |
IELTS Prepare by IDP
The IDP usually conducts the IELTS exam in association with the British Council and Cambridge English. IDP is the one-stop destination for both freshers and experienced test takers, and it is a great place to take advantage of the IELTS prep kit to strengthen their preparation strategy. The following are the benefits that this test kit offers:
- It provides free first-time assessment of English language skills for freshers
- 70+ IELTS mock tests
- Free IELTS masterclass by experienced faculty
- IELTS webinar on the latest events and updates
- IELTS familiarisation test
- Interactive quizzes and puzzles
- IELTS preparation guide and study plan
IELTS Ready by British Council
IELTS Ready is the tailored service of the British Council, which is designed to equip test takers with the tools to prepare for the IELTS effectively. It provides a diverse range of practice tests, free masterclasses and other study resources at free and premium charges of GBP 15 or INR 1,622 per week. It includes:
- Free access to 6 mock tests in all four IELTS sections
- Practice exercises for all question types
- Expert tips and videos
- Free recorded IELTS preparation webinars
- Advice from real test-takers
- 40 complete practice tests (25 Academic and 15 General exams available for all four sections of the test)
- Live and recorded lessons/webinars
- A personalised study plan.
Udemy’s Complete IELTS Academic Practice Tests
The Udemy’s complete IELTS Academic practice test equips test takers with a high level of expertise to understand the nature of the IELTS exam paper. Test takers find complete video tests, with comments for all sections, that they can use to familiarise themselves with the content and question types, aiming to achieve their target band score in the actual exam. Following are the benefits of Udemy’s Complete IELTS Academic Practice Test, which can be availed at the cost of INR 499:
- Test takers have access to a master class covering the structure, methodology, types of questions, and tips for each exam section.
- It provides PDF documents with transcripts of all recordings used in the listening section of all tests, allowing them to read the lectures in case they cannot understand them directly from the audio.
- Band score calculator to help test takers determine the band score they would have achieved for each section.
- For the writing section, there are model answers that they can use to study the text structure, vocabulary type, and the cohesion and coherence of ideas.
- 7 lectures and 5 practice tests
Some Tips for IELTS Preparation
A side from doing the IELTS practice test and mock test, here are some essential strategies to excel in the IELTS exam:
- Surround yourself with the English language by watching English movies, TV shows, listening to English news, podcasts, and reading newspapers and magazines.
- Use flashcards, vocabulary-building apps, and challenging reading materials to increase your vocabulary.
- Attempt IELTS practice tests regularly and focus on various writing styles relevant to the IELTS format.
- Engage in conversations with native English speakers or participate in online language programs to improve your speaking skills.
- Take advantage of resources available on the official website of the British Council and IDP Education, which offer sample test questions, preparation tips, and registration information.
- Consider enrolling in an IELTS preparation course for personalised support, instruction, feedback, and guidance tailored to your needs.
Conclusion
IELTS mock tests are specially designed practice papers that aim to assist IELTS test takers in understanding the format and pattern of the exam. This is beneficial exclusively for those who appear on the exam for the first time, as they can familiarise themselves with the test content. However, those who have already attempted the IELTS exam can also solve practice papers and mock tests to refine their prep strategies.
Some of the best resource providers are IDP, British Council and Udemy. Before appearing in the exam, one should go through the mock test to gain confidence and courage.
FAQs
Where can I get IELTS practice tests?
The IELTS mock test and practice test are available on the official websites and apps of the mock test-providing companies. Also, they provide IELTS practice tests offline through comprehensive guides and mini booklets available at bookstores. You can order those study materials online via Flipkart, Amazon, etc.
How do I take the IELTS mock test online?
Participation in the IELTS mock test can be made by logging into practice test-providing websites such as IDP, British Council, Udemy, etc. These websites also provide mock tests on mobile applications.
How many attempts are provided for the IELTS test?
No specific limitations are imposed on attempting the IELTS test. However, it should be noted that before appearing in the actual test, one must prepare adequately to get the desired result.
What is the validity of the IELTS Academic test?
The validity of the IELTS Academic test is 2 years from the results announcement date.
Can the validity of the IELTS Academic score be extended?
No, it is impossible to extend the validity of the IELTS Academic score. The best way is to reappear for the test once the score expires because this allows scoring a better band than the previous one.
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