Free IELTS online tests in short
There are two kinds of free IELTS online test, and they answer different questions. A short level test tells you roughly where you are today. A full mock test gives you a full length band score in one skill, much closer than a short test can. Most learners need the level test first and mock tests later.
- The ClayLingua level test takes about 13 minutes and covers all four skills. You get an estimated band for each skill, with a likely range. It is free, with no sign up.
- The real exam takes 30 minutes for Listening, 60 for Reading, 60 for Writing and 11 to 14 for Speaking. ClayLingua's full mock tests use the same Reading (60 minutes) and Listening (about 30 minutes) papers, one timed Writing task (20 or 40 minutes) and IELTS style Speaking questions, and give a full length band score for that skill.
- Take the level test when you have no scores yet. Take full mock tests when your practice is close to your target and you are deciding when to book.
No scores yet? Start with the free level test
Listening, reading, writing and an optional speaking part, in about 13 minutes. You get an estimated band for each skill and a study plan built around them. Free, no sign up.
Level test or full mock test?
The two free tests on ClayLingua, side by side.
- Level test
- About 13 minutes for all four skills
- Full mock test
- 20 to 60 minutes for one skill
- Level test
- Short sections in the IELTS style
- Full mock test
- Full length Reading and Listening papers, one Writing task, IELTS style Speaking questions
- Level test
- An estimated band for each skill, with a likely range
- Full mock test
- A full length band score for that skill, much closer than a short test, with feedback
- Level test
- Three questions out loud (optional)
- Full mock test
- A full Speaking test
- Level test
- Free, no sign up
- Full mock test
- One Reading and one Listening test are free. Writing and Speaking are in the 7 day trial or with a pass
- Level test
- Starting out, or when you have no scores yet
- Full mock test
- Checking you are ready before you book the exam
Neither test gives an official IELTS result. Only a test booked through IDP or British Council in Thailand can be used for a university or visa application.
The 13 minute level test
The level test gives you a starting point. It checks all four skills in a short time, so you can see which one is holding your score down before you plan your study.
- Listening (about 3 minutes): two short recordings and 8 questions. Each recording plays once, like the real test.
- Reading (about 4 minutes): one short passage and 8 questions, including True, False, Not Given.
- Writing (about 4 minutes): one paragraph giving your opinion, marked on grammar and vocabulary.
- Speaking (about 2 minutes, optional): three questions answered out loud. You need a microphone. You can skip it and still get the other three bands.
Key insight
A 13 minute test cannot place you to the exact half band, so you get an estimate with a likely range, for example 6.0 (likely 5.5 to 6.5). The estimate is rounded down, not up. It is better to plan a little more study than to sit the exam too early.
A full mock test
A full mock test is a full length test of one skill. Reading and Listening have 40 questions with the real timing, so the band they give is much closer than a short test can give. Writing and Speaking bands come from AI marking against the official criteria, so treat them as an estimate. Take mock tests when you want to know if you are ready.
- Reading: one free, full length Reading test on screen, 60 minutes, scored automatically with a breakdown by question type.
- Listening: one free, full length Listening test with audio, 30 minutes, scored automatically with a breakdown by part.
- Writing: one timed task (Task 1, 20 minutes, or Task 2, 40 minutes), marked by AI against the four official criteria. Speaking: recorded answers to IELTS style questions, marked by AI. Both are included in the 7 day trial or with a pass.
Note
Want more full papers? The official IDP and British Council practice tests and the Cambridge IELTS books are listed, with answer keys, in free IELTS practice tests with answers.
Use the two tests at different points
Each test is most useful at a different stage of your preparation.
- 1Step 1
No scores yet: take the level test
Take the 13 minute level test to get an estimated band for each skill. Answer on your own, without a dictionary, so the result is honest.
GoalA starting band for all four skills.
- 2Step 2
Turn the bands into a plan
Your bands go straight into the study planner, which builds a day by day plan around your weakest skill. To see what each band means and how the overall band is worked out, read IELTS band scores explained.
GoalA plan that starts with the skill holding you back.
- 3Step 3
While you study: check your progress
Take the level test again after a few weeks of study to see if your weakest skill has moved. You can take it as often as you like. Speaking is marked free on your first test, then up to 3 times a week with a free account.
GoalProof that your study is working.
- 4Step 4
Close to your target: take full mock tests
When your practice scores are near your target, take full mock tests under exam timing. Add up your four bands and compare them with the total your target needs: 23 for 6.0, 25 for 6.5, 27 for 7.0. If two full mock tests in a row reach that total, you are likely ready to book. The Writing and Speaking mock tests are part of the 7 day trial or a pass.
GoalA test date you are ready for.
Already know your scores? Build your study plan
Enter your scores, target band, exam date and study time. You get a day by day plan with the exact lessons, drills and mock tests to do, built around your weakest skill.
About 1 minute · No sign up needed.
Don't know your level? Take the free 13-minute testStep 1 of 6
What band do you need?
Your overall IELTS target.
Free IELTS online test: frequently asked questions
Is the free IELTS online test really free?
Yes. The 13 minute level test needs no sign up and no card. Listening, reading and writing are marked every time. Speaking is marked on your first test, and up to 3 times a week with a free account. One full Reading mock test and one full Listening mock test are also free.
How long does the free IELTS online test take?
The level test takes about 13 minutes: 3 for listening, 4 for reading, 4 for writing and 2 for the optional speaking part. A full mock test takes as long as the real exam for that skill: 30 minutes for Listening and 60 for Reading.
How accurate is a free IELTS level test?
It gives an estimate with a likely range, for example 6.0 (likely 5.5 to 6.5), because a short test cannot place you to the exact half band. It is rounded down, so it errs on the low side. For a full length band score in one skill, take a full mock test.
Can I practise IELTS Speaking online for free?
Yes. In the free level test you answer three questions out loud through your microphone, and your answers are transcribed and marked on fluency, vocabulary and grammar. It takes about 2 minutes, and you can skip it. For a longer practice, the Speaking mock tests are included in the 7 day trial or with a pass.
Is it an official IELTS score?
No. Both tests give practice results from ClayLingua, not official IELTS results, so you cannot use them for a university or visa application. Use them to see where you stand and to plan your study.
What is the difference between a level test and a mock test?
A level test is short and covers all four skills, so it gives a quick estimate of each. A mock test is a full length test of one skill, so it gives a band score for that skill that is much closer than a short test. Start with the level test, then use mock tests to check you are ready.
What is an IELTS dummy test?
It is another name for a mock or practice test: a full IELTS paper you take under exam timing to see how you would score. It is not an official test and does not give an official result.
Is there a free full IELTS mock test with answers?
Yes. ClayLingua has one free full Reading test and one free full Listening test, both with answers and explanations. The official IDP and British Council tests and the Cambridge IELTS books are listed in free IELTS practice tests with answers.
Can I take the level test again?
Yes, as often as you like. Speaking is marked free on your first test, then up to 3 times a week with a free account. It is a good way to check your progress after a few weeks of study, though a full mock test gives a closer band.
How long should I study before my real IELTS exam?
It depends on the gap between your current band and your target, and on how many hours a week you study. The guide how long to prepare for IELTS shows how to work it out from your level test result.
Find out where you stand in 13 minutes
Take the free level test, get an estimated band for each skill, and turn it into a day by day study plan.
Sources
- British Council: IELTS test format. Timing of each part of the real test: Listening 30 minutes, Reading 60, Writing 60, Speaking 11 to 14
