Level B1 (approx. band 4-5) · Academic and General Training Many people start studying for IELTS without a clear picture of the test. They practise random questions and hear confusing stories from friends. This episode gives you one clear map: the four skills, the timing, the two versions, the ways to take it, and what stays the same. In this episode: • Four skills and the clock • Academic or general training • Computer, writing on paper and online • What is the same for everyone, and your course map • Listening lab • Language bridge • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key points: • Listening 30 minutes, Reading 60, Writing 60, Speaking 11 to 14. • Listening and Speaking are shared; Reading and Writing change between Academic and General Training. • the way you take the test may change; the test itself does not. • one band scale, from 0 to 9, for every test taker. IELTS Complete Course: a self-study podcast from A1 to C2 for Academic and General Training. Listen, pause and answer, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair. Independent course, not affiliated with the IELTS test owners.