Writing the tests
Every Skillora IELTS test is original: written by Skillora English in the official IELTS format, not copied from Cambridge books or past papers. Each test has the same parts, question types and timing as the computer-delivered exam: four Listening parts (40 questions), three Reading passages or texts (40 questions), two Writing tasks and a three-part Speaking test.
There are 50 Academic and 50 General Training tests. Listening and Speaking are shared, as in the real exam; Reading and Writing Task 1 differ.
Listening and Reading: marked instantly
Your correct answers out of 40 are converted to a band with the standard IELTS conversion tables. General Training Reading has its own table: because its texts are easier, you need more correct answers for the same band, about 34 out of 40 for Band 7 against about 30 in Academic.
After the test, every answer is explained: why it is right, the paraphrase or trap involved, and the exact line in the recording transcript or passage that proves it, highlighted. The band score calculator uses the same tables.
Writing: marked by AI against the band descriptors
- Each task is marked on the four official criteria: Task Achievement (Task 1) or Task Response (Task 2), Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
- The AI is given a summary of the public IELTS band descriptors and gives each criterion a whole band, as examiners do, with a comment that quotes your own words.
- A task's band is the average of its four criteria, rounded down to the nearest half band. Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1 in your Writing band.
- Word count is checked: answers under 150 or 250 words lose marks for the task criterion, and answers of 20 words or fewer are rated Band 1.
Speaking: recorded, transcribed, marked as a whole
- Your browser records each answer. The audio is turned into text by a speech-recognition model, and the recording is deleted straight away.
- After your last answer, all your answers are marked together, as an examiner marks a whole test, with a band for Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.
- The limit: the AI reads a transcript and cannot hear your voice, so the Pronunciation band is an estimate. For a reliable Pronunciation band, take a Speaking mock with a real examiner.
Your overall band
The average of your four module bands, rounded to the nearest half band as in IELTS: an average ending in .25 rounds up to .5, and one ending in .75 rounds up to the next whole band.
Are the band scores official?+
No. They are estimates from practice tests. Listening and Reading follow the standard conversion tables closely; Writing and Speaking are marked by AI against the band descriptors, so treat them as a guide. Only an IELTS test centre gives an official score.
Why is Writing Task 2 worth more?+
In IELTS, Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1. We do the same: your Writing band is (Task 1 + 2 × Task 2) ÷ 3, rounded to the nearest half band.
What happens if my answer is too short?+
An answer under the minimum (150 words for Task 1, 250 for Task 2) cannot fully answer the task, so Task Achievement or Task Response is capped at Band 5, or Band 4 if it is under half the minimum. Answers of 20 words or fewer are rated Band 1, as in the official descriptors.
Is my Speaking recording kept?+
No. Your answer is turned into text and the recording is deleted straight away. Only the text is kept, so you can read back what you said.
Can a person mark my Speaking instead?+
Yes. Book a live Speaking mock with a real examiner, who gives a band for each criterion and written feedback.
IELTS is a registered trademark of the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Skillora English is independent, and these practice tests are not endorsed by them.
