IELTS is the International English Language Testing System for English proficiency, managed by University of Cambridge, British Council, and IDP Education Pty Ltd. There are two versions of IELTS. The first one is the academic version and the second one is the General training version. Therefore, whether you plan to go to an English speaking country for higher education, or you wish to find a job and settle permanently, you need to take this test. As most of the countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and United Kingdom entertain only those candidates who have cleared this test.

The basic structure of the test remains the same for the Academic version and the General Training version. Each candidate must go through listening, reading, writing, and speaking test. In fact, the listening test and speaking test remains the same whether you are taking the General version or the Academic version.

There are four sections of the Listening module. At the beginning of each section, the candidate gets the introduction of that particular section. This introduction has complete details and instructions about the test. In addition, some time to look through all the questions. Each section can be heard only once and there is a break between the first three sections. A total of 40 minutes is given for this listening test.

The first part is about a social conversation, which normally deals with a transaction, the second part is about a monologue such as a public announcement, the third part is also a conversation, but it is related to education or training and the final part is another monologue, which is academic or training oriented. At the end of each section, candidates will be asked questions about the situation.

Now time is of essence in this listening test. If you have practiced a lot, it is not a difficult test, as it tests the general listening and understanding ability of the individuals. The motive behind this test is to grade candidates according to their listening and understanding ability, so that those candidates can be qualified, who can easily comprehend a foreign language, thus having no difficulty in living in an English speaking country. Therefore, if you have practiced properly, it won’t be a difficult exam to handle.

Normally, IELTS books come with an audio CD containing free IELTS listening practice tests. These tests help in practicing for the listening test. However, it is not the case with every book, as practice CDs might not be available to some. Therefore, the best method for preparing for the listening module of IELTS is to conduct IELTS listening practice online.

A number of website specializes in these practice tests, and you can search for them online and select one, or a variety of these tests. These IELTS listening practice tests are online, and the best thing about most of them is that these IELTS listening practice tests are free of cost. These tests are based on general IELTS listening practice test and have a number of free IELTS listening practice exercises.

These online IELTS listening practice test not only help individuals in preparing and practicing for the test, but also help in giving you an idea on how you have scored in those practice tests. Individuals can calculate their approximate band score based on the free IELTS listening practice test. Consequently, individuals get to know about their IELTS point score through point calculators given in these websites. Most of the people do well in their IELTS exams because of these IELTS listening practice tests.