IELTS Academic vs General Training: Which Should You Take?

Choosing the wrong IELTS test is an expensive and frustrating mistake. Some candidates prepare for weeks before realising the organisation they are applying to wanted a different version. This guide to IELTS Academic vs General Training explains what is the same, what is different and how to make the right choice before you book.

The short answer

In general terms:

• IELTS Academic is usually taken by people applying to study at university or college, or for some professional registrations.
• IELTS General Training is usually taken by people moving to an English-speaking country for work, secondary education or training, or for migration purposes.

However, requirements vary between countries, institutions and organisations. Always check exactly which test is required with the organisation you are applying to, and confirm the details on the official IELTS website before booking.

What is the same in both tests

Two of the four skills are identical:

Listening

Both versions take the same Listening test: four parts, 40 questions and about 30 minutes of recordings. On paper you have 10 minutes to transfer answers, and on computer you have 2 minutes to check. Our IELTS listening tips for Band 8 apply equally to both.

Speaking

The Speaking test is also the same: 11–14 minutes, three parts, marked on Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.

What is different: Reading

Both Reading tests have 40 questions in 60 minutes, with no extra transfer time. The question types are similar, including True/False/Not Given, matching headings and sentence completion. The difference is the type of text.

Academic Reading

Three long passages taken from sources such as books, journals and magazines. The topics are of general academic interest, for example science, history or the environment, and do not require specialist knowledge. The language can be dense and the arguments complex.

General Training Reading

Three sections that move from everyday texts, such as notices, advertisements and timetables, through workplace texts like job descriptions and training materials, to a longer text on a general topic. The early texts are often shorter and more practical.

Many people assume General Training Reading is "easier". The texts are often more familiar, but because of this, the raw score needed for a particular band is usually higher than in Academic. Neither test is simply easier; they measure different things.

What is different: Writing

Both Writing tests last 60 minutes with two tasks. Task 1 needs at least 150 words and Task 2 needs at least 250 words, and Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1.

Academic Writing

• Task 1: describe a visual, such as a graph, chart, table, map or process diagram, in a formal report.
• Task 2: an essay responding to an argument, opinion or problem.

If you take Academic, learning how to write the overview in Task 1 is essential.

General Training Writing

• Task 1: a letter, which may be formal, semi-formal or informal, responding to a situation.
• Task 2: an essay, similar in style to Academic Task 2, though topics may be slightly more general.

The Task 2 skills overlap heavily, so our guide on how to structure an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay helps both groups.

A quick comparison

• Listening: the same test for both.
• Speaking: the same test for both.
• Reading: academic-style passages in Academic; everyday, workplace and general texts in General Training.
• Writing Task 1: describe a visual in Academic; write a letter in General Training.
• Writing Task 2: an essay in both.

How to decide

Ask yourself these questions:

1. What is the purpose? Study, work, professional registration or migration?
2. What does the organisation say? Look at their official requirements page or contact them directly.
3. What band scores are needed? Note the overall band and any minimum in each skill.
4. Is there a deadline? Allow enough time for preparation and for a possible retake. Result timing varies, so check with your test centre.

Can you switch between them?

Your preparation for Listening and Speaking carries over completely. If you change your plans, you mainly need to adjust your Reading and Writing Task 1 practice. For booking, rescheduling and cancellation rules, check with your test centre or the official IELTS website, as these can vary.

Next steps

Confirm your test type today, then plan your study around the parts that are unique to it. Our 30-day IELTS preparation plan can be adapted for either version, and our IELTS practice tests include both Academic and General Training material.

Once you have chosen, take a free sample mock test in the right format to see where you stand.