IELTS Compass
Preparing your study plan
IELTS Compass
Preparing your study plan
IELTS Listening
Listening is the most trainable IELTS skill — the audio is the same every time, and the question types repeat. Here's how to attack each section, dodge the traps, and build a daily routine.
| Section | Format | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Section 1 | Everyday conversation (2 people) | Predict the answer type before the audio starts — names, numbers, dates, prices. Spell carefully; letters are often tested. |
| Section 2 | Monologue about everyday life | Follow the map or plan. Listen for direction words (next to, opposite, at the end of) and sequence markers (first, then, finally). |
| Section 3 | Academic discussion (2–4 people) | Track who says what. Matching and MCQ questions test opinions — listen for hedging (I think, perhaps, it could be). |
| Section 4 | Academic lecture (1 speaker) | Predict the word type (usually a noun) from the sentence. Follow signposts: however, in addition, for example. |
The 30-second rule
Use the pause before each section to read ahead and predict. Underline the question word (who, where, how much) and decide the answer type before the audio starts. Prediction is half the answer.
| Trap | How to beat it |
|---|---|
| Distractors | Speakers often mention the wrong answer first, then correct themselves. The answer is always the final, corrected information. |
| Word limits | Follow the instruction exactly: ONE WORD, NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS, or A NUMBER. Extra words = wrong answer. |
| Spelling | Names, streets and places are spelled out. Write exactly what you hear — a wrong letter is a wrong answer. |
| Plural vs singular | The answer must match the sentence. If the gap needs a plural, a singular answer is marked wrong. |
| Hearing vs understanding | You hear every word but miss the meaning. Practise with transcripts to connect sound to sense. |
The 30-day IELTS study plan schedules exactly this: a listening section from Cambridge 10–19 every day, with transcript review built into the task. By Day 30 you'll have completed 30 sections plus four full mock listening tests.
Not sure what score to aim for? Our IELTS band scores explained guide shows what band 7 and band 8 actually require, so you can set a listening target that fits your overall goal.
141 pre-planned tasks across all five IELTS skills — your first study session is ready the moment you sign up.
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