Test format

IELTS Online matches IELTS Academic content and timing. Speaking is a separate live video session with a certified examiner. Listening, Reading, and Writing run as one remotely proctored computer block of about 2 hours 30 minutes (Listening 30 minutes, then Reading 60, then Writing 60).

Listening format

Objective marking · band 0-9

TimeAbout 30 minutes

Items40 questions · 4 parts

PaceAudio plays once

This practice uses form completion. The real part can use other official Listening question types. Type answers on screen while the recording plays; word limits and spelling count.

Part 1 · everyday dialogue · type on screen (Online/computer)

Audio

Library membership call

PART 1 Questions 1–5 Complete the form below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer. Library membership Name: 1 .............................. Student ID: 2 .............................. Course: 3 .............................. Fee paid: £ 4 .............................. Collection day: 5 ..............................

Q11 Name

Q22 Student ID

Q33 Course

Q44 Fee paid (£)

Q55 Collection day

This practice uses plan labelling. The real part may instead use matching, multiple choice, completion, or another official Listening type.

Plan / map labelling (practice)

PART 2 Questions 11–13 Label the plan below. Choose THREE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A–F, next to questions 11–13. Plan — Campus sports centre (entrance at west) north ┌──────────────────────────┐ │ 11 Café │ Entrance → │ │ 12 │ │ │ │ 13 │ └──────────────────────────┘ A Café B Changing rooms C Children's area D Gym E Reception desk F Swimming pool You hear: “From the entrance, the changing rooms are immediately on your left. Straight ahead is the café. The gym is behind the café, and the pool is to the right of the gym.” Sample answers: 11 B · 12 D · 13 F (Unused options in the box are normal.)

Official plan/map labelling: numbered spots on the plan + lettered box. Online: type/select the letter on screen.

This practice uses sentence completion. The real part may use notes, a summary, or another official Listening question type.

Part 4 · academic monologue · type words from the recording

Audio

Library research lecture

PART 4 Questions 31–33 Complete the sentences below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Q131 Before databases, library staff often spent time __________ and finding volumes.

Q232 Workshop attendance peaks in the first __________ of term.

Q333 Alumni access to licensed databases is usually __________.

Best practices

Type answers while the audio plays. Do not wait for a long paper-style transfer window.
Follow word-limit instructions exactly, such as NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER.
Use on-screen tools only. Pen and paper notes are not allowed for Listening, Reading, and Writing Online.

Before you buy IELTS Online

Check these four points before you pay. The wrong IELTS product wastes the fee and can delay study or visa plans.

1. Purpose

What is this score for?

IELTS Online is built for international higher education when the school accepts the Online Academic score. It is not for immigration or visas (including UKVI). It is not for professional registration either.

2. Acceptance

Ask the school in writing

Each university decides whether to accept IELTS Online. Your electronic TRF shows the test was taken online. Do not book until admissions confirms Online acceptance for your programme and intake.

3. Country

Check the live allowlist

Availability changes by partner, country, residency, and live session inventory. A country appearing on one partner page does not guarantee that the other partner—or the booking portal—has a session. Check the British Council list and complete the IDP live booking-location check before relying on IELTS Online.

4. Retake plan

One Skill Retake is unavailable

One Skill Retake is not currently available for IELTS Online. OSR applies to eligible computer-delivered tests at a centre. If you need OSR, book a centre computer test instead.

Price comes from the local partner booking page. There is no single global fee. Official partner guidance says special arrangements are not currently available for Online. Use an in-centre test if you need accommodations.

At-home setup and test rules

Use the same computer, network, and private room for the Inspera system check and the real exam. Install Inspera Exam Portal / Inspera Integrity Browser from your booking email at least one day before test day.

Technical requirements

DeviceLaptop or desktop only. Phones and tablets are not test devices.IDP states Chromebooks are not supported. Run the live Inspera check on the exact machine you will use.

Operating systemTypical partner lists: Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit), or macOS 10.15 and newer.

Display and peripheralsOne screen only. Webcam, microphone, and speakers required. Headphones and earbuds are banned. No Bluetooth peripherals.

InternetStable wired or Wi-Fi connection. No VPN and no mobile hotspot. Pass the Inspera system check before test day.British Council pages publish conflicting thresholds. Use the stricter 5 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload figure, then pass the live Inspera check.

MemoryPartner guidance often cites about 2 GB minimum / 4 GB recommended on Windows, and about 4 GB minimum / 8 GB recommended on Mac.

KeyboardEnglish keyboard layout such as AU, US, or UK English as listed by your partner.

Age and IDAge 18+. Book and sit with the same valid passport. British Council says it must remain valid for at least six months from the test date.

Unsupported extrasSecond monitors, headphones, notes on paper for LRW, other people in the room, and unapproved software can lead to cancellation.

Official launch flow

1

Book through BC or IDP

Choose IELTS Online only where the live portal offers it. IDP says nationals may book up to 48 hours before the test; non-nationals need proof of residency and at least four days for verification. Book earlier where possible.

2

Install Inspera and run the check

Download the lockdown browser from your confirmation materials. Complete the system check at least one day before each session.

3

Complete Speaking first

Speaking uses a separate login or PIN and a live video call with an examiner. It is usually scheduled before the Listening, Reading, and Writing block. Follow the exact times on your booking confirmation.

4

Join LRW on time

Log in for Listening, Reading, and Writing with the credentials for that session. Late login is not allowed after about 30 minutes past the start.

5

Pass room and ID checks

A phone or tablet may be used only for the room scan at check-in, then switched off. Keep the passport you used at booking ready.

6

Finish under proctoring

Human and AI remote proctoring run together. Screen and camera are recorded. Official Online FAQ allows one 5-minute bathroom break between LRW sections, only with proctor permission.

Room and conduct rules

Private roomUse a quiet, well-lit private space with a desk. A café, library, or open office is not acceptable. The space does not have to be your home, but it must stay private.

AloneNo other person may enter or be heard. Interruptions can lead the proctor to stop the test.

LRW notesFor Listening, Reading, and Writing Online, use on-screen notes and highlighting only. Do not use pen and paper for those sections.

No banned audio gearListen through speakers. Headphones, earbuds, Bluetooth devices, VPNs, and hotspots are high-risk cancellations.

Uninterrupted LRW blockThe three timed sections total about 2 hours 30 minutes. Reserve at least 2 hours 50 minutes without interruption for check-in, security steps, and any permitted section break.

Cancellation windowIELTS Online FAQ wording allows cancellation up to 72 hours before the test. Refund rules follow local partner terms.

Do not start if Inspera checks fail, if your passport does not match booking details, or if your school has not confirmed Online acceptance. Fix those issues first.

Band scoring

IELTS Online uses the same 0-9 band scale as IELTS Academic. You get Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking bands plus an overall band. Overall is the average of the four skills, rounded to the nearest whole or half band (.25 rounds up to the next half; .75 rounds up to the next whole). Listening and Reading use objective keys. Writing and Speaking use published examiner criteria. Raw-to-band conversions vary by form. Treat the figures below as indicative only. Whole-band skill labels follow the official IELTS descriptors; half-band rows are bridging labels for the slider.

Overall band: 6.5

Move the slider to highlight the matching band row. Indicative Listening / Academic Reading raw scores vary by test form.

6.5Competent to goodBetween band 6 and band 7 performance

Band	Skill level	What it means	Indicative L/R raw ( /40 )
9	Expert user	Fully operational command; appropriate, accurate, fluent; complete understanding	L/R typically near full marks
8.5	Very good to expert	Between band 8 and band 9 performance	Often mid-to-high 30s
8	Very good user	Fully operational with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies; handles complex detailed argumentation	About 35
7.5	Good to very good	Between band 7 and band 8 performance	About 32-34
7	Good user	Operational command with occasional inaccuracies; generally handles complex language well	About 30
6.5	Competent to good	Between band 6 and band 7 performance	About 26-29
6	Competent user	Effective command despite some inaccuracies; uses reasonably complex language in familiar situations	About 23
5.5	Modest to competent	Between band 5 and band 6 performance	About 18-22
5	Modest user	Partial command; copes with overall meaning in most situations; many mistakes likely	About 16 L / 15 AR
4.5	Limited to modest	Between band 4 and band 5 performance	Below mid teens (varies)
4	Limited user	Basic competence limited to familiar situations; frequent problems in understanding and expression	Lower raw ranges
3.5	Extremely limited to limited	Between band 3 and band 4 performance	Low raw ranges
3	Extremely limited user	Only general meaning in very familiar situations; frequent communication breakdowns	Very low raw ranges
2.5	Intermittent to extremely limited	Between band 2 and band 3 performance	Minimal scoring responses
2	Intermittent user	Great difficulty understanding spoken and written English	Minimal scoring responses
1.5	Non-user to intermittent	Between band 1 and band 2 performance	Little scorable language
1	Non-user	No ability to use the language except a few isolated words	Little scorable language
0	Did not attempt	No assessable information provided	No answers attempted

Results, retakes, and One Skill Retake

Plan deadlines around electronic delivery and Online retake rules. Centre policies do not automatically apply.

Result timingIELTS Online results are typically available in 6 to 8 days after the test.Leave buffer before hard deadlines.

Delivery formatResults are electronic only through email and the results portal. There is no paper TRF for Online.

Score sharingYou can nominate organisations at booking. Institutions verify scores through the IELTS Results Service.

Score validityIELTS recommends treating scores as valid for two years. Accepting organisations set their own policy.

Enquiry on ResultsYou can request an Enquiry on Results through the same process used for centre tests.

Full retakeYou may book a full IELTS Online test again when you are ready. There is no Online One Skill Retake shortcut.

One Skill RetakeOSR lets eligible candidates retake one skill once within 60 days of an original computer-delivered centre test that offers OSR.Official wording: One Skill Retake is not currently available for IELTS Online.

If you need OSRSit a full computer-delivered IELTS at a centre that offers OSR, then book the single-skill retake under that product's rules.

Final checklist

Complete these checks on the computer and connection you will use for the real exam.

Before purchase

My purpose is study or another use that can accept IELTS Online Academic.I do not need this score for UKVI, immigration, or professional registration.The institution confirmed in writing that it accepts IELTS Online for my programme.My country appears on the current British Council or IDP Online allowlist.I understand One Skill Retake is not available after an Online test.

Technical rehearsal

I installed Inspera from my booking instructions on this computer.The Inspera system check passed on this network at least one day before the test.I disconnected extra monitors and removed headphones, Bluetooth gear, VPN, and hotspot use.Speakers, webcam, and microphone work without a headset.I practised typing Writing Task 2 and entering Listening answers on screen.

Immediately before starting

The passport used at booking is valid and ready.I am alone in a private, quiet, well-lit room with a clear desk.Phone or tablet is available only for the room scan, then powered off.I have separate session details for Speaking and for Listening, Reading, and Writing.I reserved at least 2 hours 50 minutes for LRW check-in and testing.

Start only when acceptance, allowlist access, Inspera checks, and ID details are confirmed. A delayed start is cheaper than a cancelled session.

Frequently asked questions

What is IELTS Online?

It is the official at-home version of IELTS Academic. Same content, timing, and band scoring as centre Academic, delivered through Inspera with remote proctoring and a live Speaking examiner.

Is there an IELTS Online General Training test?

No. IELTS Online is Academic only. If you need General Training, book an eligible test-centre option instead.

Can I use IELTS Online for UKVI, immigration, or professional registration?

No. Official Online guidance excludes immigration and visa use, including UKVI, and excludes professional registration. Use the centre product those authorities require.

Is One Skill Retake available after IELTS Online?

No. Official wording states One Skill Retake is not currently available for IELTS Online. OSR requires an eligible computer-delivered centre test.

Which countries can take IELTS Online?

Availability follows a living allowlist by partner, not a short blocked-country list. Check the British Council or IDP Online booking page for your location before you pay.

How long is the test?

Speaking lasts 11 to 14 minutes in a separate video session. Listening is 30 minutes, Reading 60 minutes, and Writing 60 minutes in one block (about 2 hours 30 minutes). Total test content is about 2 hours 45 minutes.

When do IELTS Online results arrive?

Plan for electronic results in about 6 to 8 days. There is no paper TRF. Institutions verify scores through the IELTS Results Service.

What software do I need?

You need Inspera Exam Portal / Inspera Integrity Browser from your booking instructions, plus a laptop or desktop that passes the official system check at least one day before the test.

Can I wear headphones during IELTS Online?

No. Use speakers. Headphones, earbuds, Bluetooth devices, extra monitors, VPNs, and mobile hotspots are common cancellation risks.

What if my university accepts IELTS but not Online?

Ask admissions about IELTS Online specifically. A general IELTS Academic policy is not enough. The electronic TRF identifies Online delivery.

Official sources

Official IELTS, British Council, and IDP pages checked for this guide on 29 July 2026.

IELTS Online hub Ways to take IELTS IELTS Academic overview Academic format in detail IELTS scoring in detail One Skill Retake (test takers)One Skill Retake (organisations; Online exclusion)British Council Online booking / countries British Council Online FAQ British Council Online user guide British Council Online technical requirements IDP Online system requirements IDP Online FAQ and booking rules Official Academic sample questions Official Academic Writing sample tasks PDF Official Speaking sample tasks PDF

Related guides

Compare delivery options, then book support when you know which product you need.

IELTS Online Guide