How hard is Academic IELTS?

For anyone considering studying or working in English-speaking countries, the IELTS Academic test often comes up in conversation. While it may not be mandatory for everyone, many institutions still rely on it as a benchmark for English proficiency.

But one of the most common questions that comes up is: How hard is Academic IELTS? In short, the answer is that it varies from person to person, depending on their English proficiency level, preparation, and familiarity with the test format.

In this blog, we’ll break down what makes the IELTS academic challenging, why people find it hard, and how you can overcome the difficulties with the right preparation. So, without further ado, let's dive into each section.

Overview of the IELTS Academic test

The academic IELTS test consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Depending on your strengths and weaknesses, you might find some parts harder than others. Each section tests a different set of skills with a total test time of 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Here’s a brief look at what challenges you might face:

• Listening: You’ll hear a variety of accents, and the questions can be tricky, demanding full attention during the 30-minute assessment.
• Reading: The texts are more academic-focused, featuring advanced vocabulary and complex sentence structures, with a total time of 60 minutes allowed (including transfer time).
• Writing: Tasks 1 and 2 require formal writing skills, which can be tough for those not accustomed to writing in English, and you have 60 minutes to complete them.
• Speaking: The face-to-face interview, lasting 11–14 minutes, can be stressful as you need to speak fluently and coherently under pressure.

Breakdown of what makes Academic IELTS hard?

The difficulty of the Academic IELTS test depends on how familiar you are with English, especially in academic or work settings. Here we've outlined the difficulties you might face in each section and how to overcome them.

1. Listening section: What’s challenging?

In the IELTS Academic Listening section, you’ll listen to four recordings that include a mix of conversations, lectures, and monologues. The accents you hear could be British, Australian, American, or Canadian, which can make understanding tough if you’re not used to them.

Challenges:

• Different accents
• Fast-paced conversations
• Complex question formats (multiple choice, matching, short-answer questions)

Tips to succeed:

• Practice listening to English podcasts or news channels with various accents.
• To improve speed and accuracy, take timed practice tests.
• Focus on key information.

2. Reading section: Why is it hard?

The reading section includes three long academic texts. The vocabulary can be difficult, and time management becomes an issue for many candidates. You’re asked to answer 40 questions that test your ability to find detailed information, understand the main ideas, and grasp inferences.

Challenges:

• Advanced vocabulary and formal language
• Complex sentence structures
• Time pressure

Tips to succeed:

• Develop skimming and scanning techniques to find key information faster
• Expand your academic vocabulary by reading journals, newspapers, or scientific articles
• Take mock tests to practice managing your time efficiently

3. Writing Section: Why do many struggle?

The writing section consists of two tasks. In Task 1, you’ll need to describe graphs, charts, or diagrams, while Task 2 requires you to write an essay. The difficulty comes from using formal language, organizing your ideas clearly, and meeting the task requirements.

Challenges:

• Formal and academic tone
• Clear and concise task fulfillment
• Grammar, coherence, and vocabulary

Tips to succeed:

• Practice writing under timed conditions
• Learn how to structure essays effectively (introduction, body, conclusion)
• Work on improving your grammar and sentence variety

4. Speaking Section: Is it as hard as it sounds?

The speaking test is a face-to-face interview with an examiner. You’ll have to answer questions about yourself, talk on a particular topic, and discuss complex ideas. Nervousness and hesitation can make this part difficult for many candidates.

Challenges:

• Maintaining fluency under pressure
• Speaking naturally and coherently
• Handling unexpected questions

Tips to succeed:

• Practice speaking English daily, even to yourself, on different topics
• Record yourself and listen for areas where you can improve fluency
• Practice with a friend or engage in conversations with native speakers

Is Academic IELTS harder than General IELTS?

Many people wonder if the Academic IELTS is more difficult than the General version. The truth is, Academic IELTS is more challenging because of the complexity of its reading and writing sections. As the reading texts comes from academic sources, while writing tasks require a higher level of formality.

• Reading: Academic IELTS has longer, more technical texts.
• Writing: You need to write essays and describe data, requiring formal language skills.

However, both the Academic and General IELTS Listening and Speaking sections are the same.

Final thoughts

Depending on your current level of English, you will know how much the preparation needs. So now if you are looking for more personalized IELTS coaching, check out an IELTS preparation training center to ensure you’re fully ready for the big day.

In case you're still wondering, "How hard is Academic IELTS?" Rest assured that with the right preparation and mindset, you can succeed in each section and achieve the band score you need. Start your preparation today, follow these tips, and remember—success is within your reach!