IELTS Academic Preparation Course 2026

This course is for people preparing for IELTS Academic, the version of IELTS used for university study and professional registration. Six lessons cover the test format and scoring, Listening, Academic Reading, Writing Task 1 (describing data), Writing Task 2 (the essay) and Speaking, with practical exercises. Each lesson has an untimed topic quiz with explanations, and a timed 40-question final assessment unlocks a certificate of completion when you score 80% or more.

Course
United Kingdom
99 questions
Checked October 13, 2026
Fact-checked October 13, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 300 minutes of lessons, 6 untimed topic quizzes (99 questions in all) and a timed final assessment of 40 questions drawn at random. Score 80% or more on the final assessment to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026.

Start with the lessonsIELTS Academic Preparation Course: Lessons: about 300 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

Describe the four sections of IELTS Academic, their timing and how band scores are worked out
Follow everyday and academic recordings and answer within a word limit
Tell True, False and Not Given apart, and identify a writer's views in Academic Reading texts
Write a clear overview and accurate comparisons for Writing Task 1 data
Plan a Task 2 essay that answers every part of the question with a clear position
Extend Speaking answers, use a Part 2 task card well, and paraphrase when you lack a word

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

Your study plan

Read each lesson, take its topic quiz (untimed, with explanations), then the timed final assessment. A new mix of questions is drawn every time. Your progress is saved in this browser.

Topic quiz 1: Test format and scoring

What to know before the test

IELTS Academic tests Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The official total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Listening and Speaking are the same in IELTS Academic and General Training; Reading and Writing are different.
The Listening test has four parts with 10 questions each, and each recording is played once only.
Academic Reading has 3 passages (2,150–2,750 words in total) and 40 questions in 60 minutes.
In Academic Writing, Task 1 needs at least 150 words in about 20 minutes. Task 2 needs at least 250 words, and you should spend no more than 40 minutes on it. Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1.
The Speaking test is a recorded face-to-face interview of 11–14 minutes in three parts.
The overall band is the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest half band: an average ending in .25 rounds up to the next half band, and one ending in .75 rounds up to the next whole band.
On the official scoring page, about 30 correct answers out of 40 is the average needed for band 7 in both Listening and Academic Reading; the exact number varies slightly between test versions.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the official IELTS test?

No. This is an independent preparation course. All passages, recordings and questions are original and only copy the task types. For official samples, use the free sample test questions on the IELTS website.

What does the certificate of completion show?

It shows that you finished this course and scored at least 80% on its final assessment. It is not an IELTS result or band score, and it cannot be used as proof of English for study, work, registration or a visa.

Can my practice score tell me my IELTS band?

No. Practice scores here are feedback only. Official Listening and Reading bands come from a raw score out of 40, and Writing and Speaking are marked by certificated examiners against the official criteria.

Should I take IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training?

The official IELTS website says IELTS Academic is for undergraduate or postgraduate study and for professional registration, and General Training is mainly for migration and study below degree level. Always check what your university, employer or authority asks for before you book.

How do the listening questions work?

Your device reads the script aloud, in a British English voice if it has one. In the real test you hear each recording only once, so try to answer after one listen. The script is shown after you answer, and you can read it instead if there is no sound.

How long is the final assessment?

It has 40 questions in 45 minutes, drawn at random from the whole course, so every attempt is different. You need 80% to pass.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.