The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test that will help you if you are going to study or work outside the country. The test will measure your ability to understand and use English proficiently in terms of listening, reading, writing and speaking.
You need to decide which test to take, when it’s time for the registration. Either the IELTS Academic or the IELTS General Training. Think twice and make good decisions because universities and visa offices only accept the test version that they want you to have. This blog article will provide you with necessary information and some of the most important differences between the two tests.
Difference between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training
The main difference between academic and general IELTS tests comes down to target audience and structural vocabulary. The academic track focuses heavily on complex textbook, whereas general training focuses on general and every day aspects.
Both Tests Compare the Same Four Skills, but Still Differ: Listening, reading, writing and speaking, and each test has 2 hours and 44 minutes to be completed. The main difference is why you will take that particular test and what kind of English is being used in each of the tests.
IELTS Academic: This test is meant for individuals with the aim to study in post-secondary schools. The test is designed like school textbooks and scientific reports.
IELTS General Training: This test is for individuals who are willing to work or move to a new country. The main focus area of the test is about everyday life, workplaces, and simple social situations.
Test Comparison
| Feature | IELTS Academic | IELTS General Training |
| Best For | College, university, or professional license | Moving to a new country or work |
| Listening Section | Same test for everyone | Same test for everyone |
| Speaking Section | Same test for everyone | Same test for everyone |
| Reading Section | Difficult because of long and scientific articles | Easier because of short ads, work rules, and news |
| Writing Section | Formal (need to explain charts and formal essays) | Practical (Writing a letter and a general essay) |
Different Test Sections
Now we will outline the four sections of the test so that you will know what to expect.
- Listening (same for both tests)
- Duration: 30 minutes.
- What to do: You will listen to recorded conversations and monologues. Then based on the listening, you need to answer forty questions. The speakers will have either a British, Australian or American accent.
- Speaking (same for both tests)
- Duration: 11 to 14 minutes.
- What to do: You need to answer simple questions asked by the examiner about your current life and a discussion session is conducted on a topic for two minutes.
- Reading (Different Material)
Duration: 60 minutes
- Academic Reading: Three long articles will be given from scientific journals, magazines or books. It will have difficult vocabulary with difficult spelling, punctuation and grammar tasks.
- General Training Reading: You will have shorter readings, similar to things in everyday life, company policies, advertisements and notice boards. The vocabulary will be very easy when compared with academic reading, with fewer spelling, punctuation and grammatical challenges.
- Writing (Different Task for the Tests)
Duration: 60 minutes
Academic Reading:
- Task 1: You have to analyze and write what you notice on the chart, graph or map, in your own words.
- Task 2: You will have to write an academic-style essay to show your understanding of a particular subject area and language skills.
General Training:
- Task 1: You will have to write a letter to your landlord about a problem or invite a friend to a party.
- Task 2: You will have to write a casual essay with your opinions and thoughts.
The General Training test is stricter than the Academic test!
Both tests give you a score between Band 1 and Band 9, with 9 as the highest possible score; however, in the reading section of the general training test, you need to get more correct answers to achieve the same score as an academic test-taker. Please check to see how the reading score is calculated!
| If you want a… | Academic Reading (Correct answers out of 40) | General Reading (Correct answers out of 40) |
| Band 8.0 (Excellent) | 35 to 36 correct | 37 to 38 correct |
| Band 7.0 (Good) | 30 to 32 correct | 34 to 35 correct |
| Band 6.0 (Competent) | 23 to 26 correct | 30 to 31 correct |
Summary: If you are taking the IELTS general test, you won’t be able to afford to have a lot of errors in the reading test!
Who should take what test?
Still confused: “Which IELTS should I take?” Find your answer with the below explanation:
1. Choose the IELTS Academic test if:
- You want to obtain a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD abroad.
- You are a professional doctor, nurse or lawyer requiring a license to practice in a different country.
2. Choose the IELTS General test if:
- You are looking for a permanent residency immigration visa to Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.
- You are moving abroad for a regular job or obtaining a work visa with one year of experience.
- You wish to study at a high school or take a non-degree training program.
Actual Student Stories
Priyesh (Academic): “I wanted to study data science at a university in Canada and was looking to book the general test, as someone had told me it was the easiest. Thankfully, I checked the university’s website, as they were insistent upon the IELTS Academic test! The graph writing was tricky and I worked hard on my prep and ended up with a Band 7.5! Always double-check what your uni wants!”
Meera (General Training experience): “My family and I applied for immigration to Australia with my family. I assumed everyone took the same IELTS test, but I was informed otherwise by my visa agent before it was too late. I needed to take the General Training test to gain entry into Australia. The reading test has an easy-looking reading section and uses everyday words; however, the scores for reading are very strict, there are no “silly mistakes” allowed when taking the reading part of the test.”
How to Book Your Test (If You Are In India)
If you are coordinating your IELTS registration in India, the test infrastructure is managed directly by IDP Education.
- Go online: Visit the IDP website to find out how to book the IELTS exam in India.
- Choose your test format: computer-based or paper-based test. The computer-based IELTS test will provide your results within 2 to 5 days, while the paper-based test will take approximately 13 days for your results.
- Choose your test type: Make sure you select Academic or General Training very carefully.
- Payment: Upload your valid passport details and process the standard IELTS fees in India.
Important Note: Make sure you are not outside of your passport’s validity period before booking your test!
Conclusion: Steps to Achieve Global Success
The decision between taking the IELTS Academic Test or the IELTS General Training depends on what you desire to do. The academic option is for individuals with the goal of getting into a university for studies as an overseas registered healthcare worker. The General Training option is the route if you wish to relocate abroad, start a new life, and find employment in that new country.
Once you understand what exam you require, the key to succeeding will not be simply studying harder but rather studying smarter with the right support.
Tiju’s Academy: Your Guide Along the Way
Regardless of which IELTS exam you take, trying to prepare by yourself can be daunting and overwhelming. This is where Tiju’s Academy can make an impact on your path to success. Tiju’s Academy is one of the top-ranked English language training institutions, several students have used Tiju’s Academy to help them in their quest to successfully live and work overseas.
We will not treat you the same way we treat everyone else. At Tiju’s Academy, we adjusts the English language training program to fit your desired learning style. If you are working towards passing the IELTS test the first time you take it, it is necessary to know specifically how our academy will provide the tools you need in order to accomplish that.
- Online & Offline Flexibility: You can select when to learn that works for you best! Whether it’s online or visiting our offline IELTS test centers in Kerala located in Thiruvalla and Mavelikara.
- 24/7 Help: Are you a working professional, or are you busy during the day? You have the opportunity to select class time slots that will fit your schedule best. Students are provided with access to our website for all of their learning needs and will receive 24/7 help with any questions they may have.
- Grammatical Teaching: Weak language is often the reason for many students not achieving their desired band score. Our tutors have years of experience in grammar, and have been instrumental in improving the grammatical skills in students.
- Individualized Attention: In our student centered approach, students receive personalized attention from internationally certified trainers throughout each module, especially modules like speaking and writing that may have offered some challenges to some students.
- Specialized Skill Courses: Would you like to improve your reading or listening skills? We have developed advanced and highly specialized programs to focus on improving your auditory processing and speed-reading capabilities.
- Updated Material and Realistic Mock Testing: Exams change. Our curriculum is regularly updated, and we use mock testing to prepare students for the actual IELTS exam. This will make you confident to pass the exam and develop strong time-management skills.
To achieve success in the IELTS exam, don’t let a language barrier keep you from achieving your international dreams! Contact Tiju’s Academy today, which is considered one of the best IELTS training centre in Kerala, so that we can provide you with the motivation and information necessary for your next step to be successful.
