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how much time is given for listening in ielts

Oct 27, 2026
Short answer

The Listening section takes about 30 minutes. In the paper-based test you then get an extra 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet, as the British Council's practice instructions state.

The Listening section takes about 30 minutes. In the paper-based test you then get an extra 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet, as the British Council's practice instructions state. The British Council test format page lists Listening as 30 minutes inside the 2 hours and 45 minutes of the whole test, alongside Reading 60 minutes, Writing 60 minutes and Speaking 11 to 14 minutes. Time your practice with a clock rather than a pause button, so the 30 minutes includes the moments you would normally spend thinking.

Time the transfer, not just the audio. Start the clock when the recording begins and stop it only when every answer is written on the answer sheet; on a paper-based practice run that is roughly forty minutes, and it is the one change that makes a home test comparable to the real thing.

Free IELTS Listening Practice Test Online with Answers →

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