IELTS Listening Practice Test 23 with Answers and Band Score (2026)

Test 23 of our IELTS-style Listening series, new for 2026 and written by BayRen in the real exam's format, and a little harder than most of our tests. Part 1: a man phones the organisers of a charity fun run to enter the race. Part 2: a guide talks to visitors on a beach where dinosaur footprints can be seen in the rock. Part 3: two design students discuss the playtest of the board game they are making, and plan how to make each part of it. Part 4: part of a lecture on when and where horses were first domesticated, from Botai to the ancient DNA studies of 2018 to 2024. 40 questions at the exam's timing, with the answer key, a band guide and the explanation for every answer at the end. None of it comes from a Cambridge book, so every question is new to you. How to use it Have a pen and paper ready, and write your answers as you listen. Play each part straight through: the real exam never pauses. From Part 2 on, wait for the end of each idea before you write: the speakers sometimes change their minds. Mark your answers only at the end, then check your band and read the explanations. Chapters 0:00 Part 1: The Hazelmere Fun Run (Questions 1–10) 6:17 Part 2: Dinosaur footprints at Gullhaven (Questions 11–20) 13:12 Part 3: Designing a board game (Questions 21–30) 20:23 Part 4: The domestication of the horse (Questions 31–40) 27:56 Answer key 28:16 Explanations Practise IELTS Listening online: https://listening.bayrenedu.com Message us on WhatsApp: 01317749265 Follow BayRen: Facebook:   / bayrenedu   TikTok:   / bayren_education   Instagram:   / bayrenedu   This is an original practice test written by BayRen in the IELTS format. It is not an official IELTS test. IELTS is a registered trademark of the British Council, IDP IELTS and Cambridge University Press & Assessment, who do not endorse this video. The scripts and questions were written and checked by BayRen. #ielts #ieltspreparation #ieltslistening #BayRenEducation