IELTS Academic or General Training: which one do you need?
By Kandy IELTS College
2 min read
Study abroad
Both tests have the same Listening and Speaking. Reading and Writing are different. Here is which one fits study, work or migration, and how to be sure before you book.
Before you start preparing, make sure you are preparing for the right test. IELTS comes in two versions, IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, and the one you need depends on why you are going abroad.
What is the same in both
Listening and Speaking are exactly the same in both versions. You hear the same kinds of recordings and sit the same face-to-face Speaking test with an examiner. Both versions are marked on the same band scale, from 0 to 9.
What is different
The difference is in Reading and Writing.
- Academic Reading has three long texts of the kind you meet at university: books, journals, magazines and newspapers.
- General Training Reading starts with everyday texts such as notices, advertisements and workplace handbooks, then moves to one longer text.
- Academic Writing Task 1 asks you to describe a graph, table, chart, diagram, process or map in at least 150 words.
- General Training Writing Task 1 asks you to write a letter, formal, semi-formal or informal, in at least 150 words.
- Writing Task 2 is an essay of at least 250 words in both versions. General Training topics are more about everyday life.
Which one fits your plan
Study at a university abroad. Undergraduate and postgraduate courses almost always ask for IELTS Academic.
Professional registration. Some professions, such as nursing and medicine, ask for IELTS Academic even though you are going to work.
Work and migration. Migration and many work routes usually ask for IELTS General Training.
School or training below degree level. Often General Training, but check.
The only answer that counts is the one written by the university, employer or immigration office you are applying to. Check their page before you book.
A note on UK visas
Some UK visa applications need a test from an approved list. For those, IELTS has a separate version called IELTS for UKVI (Academic or General Training), and IELTS Life Skills for some family and settlement routes. The content is the same, the booking is different, so check your visa page first.
What to do next
- Find the English requirement on the official page of your university, employer or visa route.
- Write down the version, the overall band and any minimum band per module.
- Check current test dates and fees on the official IELTS website, ielts.org.
Not sure which one you need? Send us the requirement on WhatsApp and we will help you read it before you start a batch.
