IELTS Academic vs General Training: Which Should You Take?

Quick Overview

IELTS offers two versions of its test: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Both tests assess the same four language skills - listening, reading, writing, and speaking - and use the same 9-band scoring system. However, the content and focus of the reading and writing sections differ significantly between the two versions.

The listening and speaking sections are identical in both tests. The key differences lie in the reading and writing sections, where Academic uses university-level academic content while General Training uses workplace and everyday English content.

Choosing the wrong test can waste hundreds of pounds and weeks of preparation time. This guide will help you make the right choice.

Who Needs IELTS Academic?

IELTS Academic is designed for people applying for higher education or professional registration in an English-speaking environment. You need IELTS Academic if you are:

Who Needs IELTS General Training?

IELTS General Training is designed for people going to English-speaking countries for secondary education, work experience, or training programmes, as well as for migration purposes. You need IELTS General Training if you are:

Quick Decision Guide

Reading Section Differences

The reading section has the most significant differences between Academic and General Training:

Feature	IELTS Academic Reading	IELTS General Training Reading
Number of passages	3 long academic texts	3-5 shorter texts (varied length)
Text source	Books, journals, magazines, newspapers (academic topics)	Notices, advertisements, booklets, workplace documents, newspapers
Text difficulty	University-level academic English	Workplace and everyday English
Vocabulary	Academic and technical vocabulary	General and workplace vocabulary
Topics	Science, history, sociology, psychology, arts	Work, travel, health, daily life, public services
Total questions	40 questions	40 questions
Time allowed	60 minutes	60 minutes
Question types	All question types including matching headings, True/False/Not Given, summary completion	Same question types but with simpler texts

Academic Reading Example Topics

• The history of glass development from ancient Egypt to modern times
• The effects of climate change on migratory bird patterns
• Research into the psychology of decision-making
• The role of artificial intelligence in medical diagnosis

General Training Reading Example Topics

• A local library's membership rules and services
• Job advertisements with requirements and benefits
• Instructions for using workplace equipment
• Advice on staying healthy while travelling

Writing Section Differences

The writing section also differs significantly between the two tests:

Feature	IELTS Academic Writing	IELTS General Training Writing
Task 1 (20 minutes, 150 words)	Describe, summarise, or explain a graph, chart, table, diagram, or process	Write a letter (formal, semi-formal, or informal) responding to a given situation
Task 2 (40 minutes, 250 words)	Write an essay responding to a point of view, argument, or problem (academic style)	Write an essay responding to a point of view, argument, or problem (general style)
Task 1 weighting	1/3 of writing score	1/3 of writing score
Task 2 weighting	2/3 of writing score	2/3 of writing score

Academic Task 1 Examples

• "The chart below shows the percentage of households in owned and rented accommodation in England between 1918 and 2011."
• "The diagram shows the process by which bricks are manufactured for the building industry."
• "The table below gives information about past and projected population figures for various countries."

General Training Task 1 Examples

• "You recently stayed at a hotel and left some items behind. Write a letter to the hotel manager explaining what you left and requesting that they return the items to you."
• "Your neighbour's dog has been barking at night. Write a letter to your neighbour explaining the problem and suggesting a solution."
• "You have seen an advertisement for a community event. Write a letter to the organiser asking for more information and expressing your interest in participating."

Listening & Speaking (Identical in Both Tests)

The listening and speaking sections are exactly the same in both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Your preparation for these sections does not need to change based on which test you choose.

Listening Section

• 4 sections, 40 questions, 30 minutes + 10 minutes transfer time
• Section 1: A social conversation between two people
• Section 2: A social monologue (e.g., a speech about local amenities)
• Section 3: An educational conversation between up to 4 people
• Section 4: An academic monologue (e.g., a university lecture)

Speaking Section

• Face-to-face interview with an examiner, 11-14 minutes
• Part 1: General questions about yourself, your home, work, studies, interests (4-5 minutes)
• Part 2: Long turn - speak for 1-2 minutes on a given topic with 1 minute preparation (3-4 minutes)
• Part 3: Two-way discussion on abstract issues related to Part 2 topic (4-5 minutes)

Scoring: Is One Easier to Score Well On?

Both IELTS Academic and General Training use the same 9-band scoring system. However, achieving the same band score in General Training reading and writing requires answering more questions correctly than in Academic. This is because the General Training texts and tasks are considered easier, so the scoring is adjusted accordingly.

For example, to achieve a band 7.0 in reading:

• Academic: You typically need 30 correct answers out of 40
• General Training: You typically need 34 correct answers out of 40

This does not necessarily mean General Training is harder to score well on - it reflects the fact that the questions are considered easier, so more correct answers are required for the same band score.

Score Requirements by Purpose

Purpose	Test Required	Typical Score Required
UK university undergraduate	Academic	6.0-7.0 overall
UK university postgraduate	Academic	6.5-7.5 overall
GMC registration (doctors)	Academic	7.5 overall, 7.0 each skill
NMC registration (nurses)	Academic	7.0 overall (with specific band requirements)
UK student visa (degree level)	Academic UKVI	5.5 overall (university may require higher)
Canada Express Entry	General Training	CLB 7-9 equivalent (varies by programme)
Australia PR (skilled visa)	General Training or Academic	6.0-8.0 overall (varies by visa subclass)
New Zealand PR	General Training or Academic	6.5 overall (varies by visa)
UK skilled worker visa	Academic UKVI or General UKVI	4.0-5.5 (varies by route)

Which Test is Easier?

The honest answer is: it depends on your strengths and background.

You might find Academic easier if:

• You have recently completed university-level study in any language
• You are comfortable reading academic journals and research papers
• You can interpret graphs, charts, and data visualisations
• You are familiar with academic writing conventions
• You enjoy reading about science, history, and abstract topics

You might find General Training easier if:

• You are more comfortable with everyday English and workplace topics
• You find letter writing easier than describing graphs
• You have extensive work experience in an English-speaking environment
• You find academic texts intimidating or unfamiliar
• You have not studied at university level for some time

Most test-takers find the General Training reading and writing topics more accessible and familiar. However, the higher score requirements for General Training can offset this advantage.

How to Choose: Step-by-Step

Follow these steps to make the right decision:

1. Check what your institution or authority requires - This is the most important step. The organisation you are applying to will specify which test they accept. Do not choose without checking.
2. Check if both are accepted - Some organisations accept either Academic or General Training. In this case, choose the one that plays to your strengths.
3. Take a practice test for both - Complete one Academic reading passage and one General Training reading passage. See which feels more natural to you.
4. Consider your future plans - If you might need Academic IELTS in the future (e.g., for university after immigration), it may be worth taking Academic now even if General Training is also accepted.
5. Factor in the visa requirement - If you need a UK visa, remember you need IELTS for UKVI (the SELT version), not standard IELTS.

Can I Switch Between Tests?

Yes, you can book either test at any time. There are no restrictions on switching between Academic and General Training. However, keep the following in mind:

• Your preparation should be test-specific, especially for reading and writing
• You cannot use an Academic score for an organisation that requires General Training (and vice versa)
• If you are unsure, most people benefit from practising both reading and writing Task 1 types before deciding
• Some candidates take both tests and submit the higher score to organisations that accept either

Preparation Tips by Test Type

For IELTS Academic

• Reading: Practise with academic journals, university textbooks, and publications like The Economist, New Scientist, and Nature. Focus on identifying main ideas, supporting arguments, and author opinions.
• Writing Task 1: Learn to identify key trends, make comparisons, and use appropriate academic vocabulary for describing data. Practise with various chart types including line graphs, bar charts, pie charts, tables, maps, and diagrams.
• Writing Task 2: Develop your ability to construct academic arguments with clear thesis statements, supporting paragraphs, and conclusions. Use formal academic language.

For IELTS General Training

• Reading: Practise with workplace documents, instruction manuals, advertisements, newspaper articles, and official correspondence. Focus on extracting specific information and understanding practical texts.
• Writing Task 1: Practise writing formal complaint letters, job application letters, request letters, and informal personal letters. Learn the appropriate tone and format for each type.
• Writing Task 2: Focus on developing clear arguments on everyday social topics. Use clear, direct language. While still formal, General Training essays can be slightly less academic in tone.

Frequently Asked Questions