Hello, I’m Priya Sharma, one of the IELTS Listening instructors here at IELTS Zone. One of the most common areas where students lose marks is not because they don’t understand the recording — it’s because they make mistakes while recording or transferring answers. That’s why this IELTS Listening Answer Sheet & Transfer Time Guide exists: to help you understand exactly how the process works in both paper-based and computer-delivered tests.
If you haven’t yet read about the overall format, check our IELTS Listening Test Overview first — then come back to master the mechanics of answer recording.
In the paper-based IELTS Listening test, you receive two documents: a Question Booklet and an Answer Sheet.
You write your answers in the booklet as you listen, then use the extra 10 minutes at the end to transfer them neatly to the answer sheet.
Those 10 minutes are crucial. They’re not for finishing the test — they’re for transferring carefully and checking accuracy. During marking, only the answers on the sheet are counted, not the notes you made earlier.
My advice:
Example:
If the recording says “Room 204, second floor”, and the question asks “Which room is the seminar in?”, the correct transfer would be 204 — not “room 204” unless the sentence requires it.
Most marks lost during transfer are caused by extra words, spelling errors, or putting answers in the wrong number box.
In the computer version, you type your answers directly as you listen. There is no 10-minute transfer period — only 2 minutes at the end to review.
You can type answers in lowercase or uppercase letters; both are accepted. However, avoid mixing styles (e.g., WatEr) as it can look untidy and confusing.
The on-screen interface lets you:
Pro tip: During my lessons, I encourage students to type short forms while listening (e.g., “env dept” for environment department) and then expand them correctly in the two-minute review time. This balances speed and accuracy beautifully.
The IELTS Listening Answer Sheet has 40 numbered boxes — one for each question. Each row corresponds to a specific question on the audio track. You must write answers next to the correct number.
From my teaching experience, the three most frequent transfer mistakes are:
These mistakes are easy to avoid with practice. During mock tests, always simulate the transfer process instead of stopping after the listening audio. That’s how you build automatic accuracy.
You can see official examples of the answer sheet on IELTS.org and the IDP IELTS portal
Here’s a simple strategy I teach in class:
If you’re writing by hand, don’t erase and rewrite constantly — it wastes time. Cross out neatly and continue. Examiners can read slightly untidy writing as long as it’s legible.
Remember: The IELTS Listening Answer Sheet & Transfer Time Guide process is not about speed alone; it’s about clarity and precision.
I always remind my students that 10 minutes of transfer time can make the difference between Band 6.5 and Band 7. Accuracy during those final moments is worth every second of practice.
To summarise, the IELTS Listening Answer Sheet & Transfer Time Guide teaches you how to record answers correctly and use transfer time wisely:
When you master this process, your listening accuracy improves naturally without extra effort.
Next, read Instructions & Keyword Awareness to learn how to interpret question phrasing correctly during the test.
Get the latest IELTS grammar tips and practice materials directly to your inbox.
Your dedicated path to Band 7+ IELTS success. Master every skill with expert guidance and tailored…
