IELTS exam has four modules, and one of the modules is Listening. The module is common for both, academics and general training exam. In this module, students get a question paper containing 40 questions which have to be attempted while listening to a tape. The tape plays for 30 minutes. Later 10 minutes are given to the students to transfer the answers in the answer sheet.
The questions are segregated in four sections. Each section contains 10 questions. The first section is mainly based on a conversation involving two speakers set in an everyday social context. Section 2 is a monologue set in an everyday social context. Section 3 is based on a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context. Section 4 comprises of a talk, mostly a university lecture.
Students are given some time in between to look at the questions. Generally 30 seconds are given to the students to look at a particular set of questions. Also, after one section finishes, 30 seconds are given to revise the answers.
The types of questions which the students get for this module are similar to the ones which come in the Reading module. Different forms of fill in the blanks (note making, sentence completion, summary), multiple choice questions, matching the choices, labeling a map or a diagram and short-questions are drafted for the students. The fill ups and short-questions come with a specific instruction about the word count also. It could be one word answer, two word answer or it can be one word and/or a number. Students need to ensure that their answer fits that word count.
Each question carries one mark. There is no negative marking for wrong answers. The students should make sure that they have read the questions in advance and pay attention to the tape, because the tape is only played once. If any answer is skipped, the tape will not be re-played.