IELTS Practice & Vocabulary
IELTS — free practice with graded vocabulary, dictation, intensive listening, cloze and SRS spaced repetition. The most widely recognised academic English test worldwide. Use our universal tools (word counter, band calculator, dictation, intensive listening) for any IELTS section.
Three difficulty levels (L1 Foundation A1-A2, L2 Intermediate B1-B2, L3 Advanced C1-C2) across six practice modes: vocabulary, dictation, intensive listening, cloze, pronunciation and writing.
The most widely recognised academic English test worldwide. Use our universal tools (word counter, band calculator, dictation, intensive listening) for any IELTS section.
IELTS is the world's most coached exam — and that is both a strength and a trap
IELTS is accepted by 11,000+ institutions across the UK, Australia, Canada, US and New Zealand, and remains the dominant academic English test by total test-takers worldwide. The flip side of that scale is that the test is also the most coached: every question type has been deconstructed in YouTube videos, every Task 2 prompt category has a templated 'safe' answer, and the gap between a well-coached 7.0 and a genuinely-B2 candidate has widened.
For this site IELTS is treated as a **universal-tools front door** more than a deep prep funnel. Our score converter handles IELTS-to-CEFR and IELTS-to-other-tests mapping; our writing counter handles Task 1 and Task 2 word counts with live feedback; our speaking timer handles Part 2 (1 minute prep + 1–2 minute monologue). For the IELTS-specific tasks that need targeted strategy — listening section 4 academic, reading TFNG, writing Task 2 argumentative structure — we publish dedicated walkthroughs under the Guides tab.
If you're choosing between IELTS Academic and General Training, the deciding factor is the destination requirement, not difficulty. Both share the listening and speaking sections; only reading and writing differ. General Training is easier in reading (real-world texts) and writing (letter + opinion essay) but is accepted by fewer university programmes — many institutions specifically require Academic.
Two practical adjustments most candidates underestimate. First, the speaking band drops sharply when candidates use overly-rehearsed 'idiomatic' phrases that sound unnatural in context — examiners are trained to spot this. Speak in your natural register and let lexical resource score build from genuine vocabulary range. Second, in Task 2 writing, paragraphing earns more cohesion marks than connector words. Plan three body paragraphs with clear topic sentences; that single structural habit moves more candidates from 6 to 7 than vocabulary upgrades.
Frequently asked questions
Should I take IELTS on paper or computer?
Same scoring scale, same difficulty. Computer-delivered results return in 3–5 days vs. 13 days for paper. The writing interface uses a basic word counter — you do not get spellcheck. Most candidates find computer faster but harder for note-taking on long reading passages.
How long is IELTS valid for?
Two years from the test date for almost all academic and immigration purposes. Some universities accept longer for already-admitted students; visa programmes are strict on the 2-year window.
Can I improve from 6.0 to 7.0 in 4 weeks?
Possible but rare. The 6.0 → 7.0 jump typically takes 80–150 hours of focused practice including real essay feedback. Anyone promising the gap in 4 weeks without daily output is selling a false story.
What is the difference between IELTS UKVI and standard IELTS?
The test content and difficulty are identical. The only differences are administrative: UKVI test centres have additional security procedures and the certificate is on a different template recognised by the UK Home Office for SELT purposes. If your destination is a UK visa, you must book UKVI; for general academic use either is accepted.
How are IELTS speaking examiners calibrated?
Examiners are trained, certified, and re-certified every two years by British Council / IDP / Cambridge. They follow a 4-criterion rubric (fluency, lexical resource, grammatical range, pronunciation) at 0–9 each, averaged to the band. The system includes inter-rater reliability monitoring, but band 7+ awards still carry some examiner variance — partly why retakes occasionally produce different speaking bands.
Should I take IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training?
Academic is required for almost all university admissions and most professional registrations (NMC, GMC). General Training is accepted for UK Tier 2 work visa, Canada Express Entry, Australia partner visas. The reading and writing sections differ — General Training is structurally easier but accepted by fewer programmes.