IELTS Academic vs General Tests – What’s the Difference?

The four components of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The test is intended to evaluate a person’s English language competency. There are two types of IELTS exams: Academic and General Training. Understanding the distinctions between IELTS academic and general training is crucial for students since the exam varies depending on why a candidate is heading overseas: for employment, education, or immigration.

To take the test, candidates must receive the minimum band score necessary by their academic institutions or other organisations. After passing the exam, participants are given a certificate with their test results. The score has a two-year validity period. Band scores on the IELTS scale go from 1 to 9.

IELTS Academic Vs General: Test Format

There are two types of IELTS exams: Academic and General Training. These versions evaluate your reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension. They do, however, differ somewhat and have a variety of content emphases. The table that contains information about the IELTS format is below.

IELTS Test Sections	IELTS Academic	IELTS General
Reading	It contains 40 Questions (3 Reading Passages), Duration – 60 minutes	It contains 40 Questions (3 Sections) Duration – 60 minutes
Writing	It contains 2 Writing Tasks (Graphs Essay) Duration -60 minutes	It contains 2 Writing Tasks (Letter Essay) Duration -60 minutes
Listening	It contains 40 Questions (4 Sections) Duration – 30 Minutes and 10 Minutes to transfer answers to sheets
Speaking	It contains 3 Sections (Introduction Cue Card Discussion), Duration – 11-14 Minutes

Which Exam to Choose Between IELTS Academic vs General Training?

Many international colleges and organisations recognize the IELTS Academic. The band scores are recognised as evidence of English proficiency by thousands of reputable institutions and colleges. Because the IELTS test is primarily based on Australian and British English, the majority of Australian and European colleges need it. Universities at all levels, from undergraduate to graduate, embrace it. Students below the degree levels should take the IELTS General Training. If students want to be admitted to secondary education, or high school, they can take this test.

Difference Between the IELTS Academic Test and the General Training Test

IELTS Reading test (Different for Both)

Academic Reading

The reading portion of the Academic and General IELTS tests differs in certain ways. This portion, which has 40 questions, is used to assess a person’s reading comprehension. The exam has a sixty-minute time limit. The applicant is required to read several sections and respond to the questions appropriately. This specific area is intended for testing professionals in the workforce or those aspiring to higher education.

Reading three lengthy paragraphs—which may be factual, analytical, or descriptive—is part of the exam. These passages are taken verbatim from books, periodicals, journals, and research papers. After reading the texts, the applicant must respond to pertinent questions.

General Reading Test

This portion is meant to assess a person’s reading ability and consists of 40 questions. These must be replied to within one hour. Candidates are given sections about corporate guidelines, ads, brochures, and so forth. It is thought that this test is easier than the academic test. The chapters include terms that are used often.

IELTS Writing Test (Different for Both)

Academic Writing Test

This test requires applicants to write on a variety of themes relating to their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. They must finish the test within one hour. In the first task, the applicant is given a document comprising tables, graphs, or diagrams.

The contender should define the visual information in their terms. Additionally, they may be asked to describe a flowchart. The remaining assignments require applicants to produce an essay based on the data. They must also provide appropriate examples to support the facts. The writing style must be very formal.

General Writing Test

In this area, the applicant must write on themes of general interest. The tasks must be performed within one hour. The first challenge requires the candidate to write a professional, semi-formal, or personal letter about a circumstance provided to them. They must clarify the offered request or rationale.

Eligibility for IELTS Academic Exam

Below are the eligibility criteria for students who planning to take the IELTS academic exam.

• The IELTS exam requires a minimum age of 16.
• Hold a passport for the exam, which can also be used for registration.
• There are no score restrictions in IELTS academics since scores differ from institution to university. If you achieve the highest possible score, you will be admitted to a top institute.

Eligibility for IELTS General

• Many nations utilise the IELTS general training test to provide immigration visas. In the United Kingdom, the needed scores vary according to the kind of visa requested.
• Applicants for Tier 1 general visas must have a band score of 7.0, with 7.0 in each part.
• Other forms of Tier 1 visas, such as exceptional talent and entrepreneur visas, need a 4.0 in each component. This appears to be a simpler task than the last one.
• For Canada, if you have applied for the Federal Skilled Worker Programme, you must have a CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) of band 7 in English or French.
• To pick the former language, visa applicants must score 6.0 or above in each component. The English criterion for Canada’s federal skilled trades programme is 5, which corresponds to an IELTS score of 5 in each component.
• IELTS is necessary for Australian general skilled migration visas, with a minimum score based on your occupation. To qualify, you must have passable or vocational English abilities. Competent English requires an IELTS score of 6.0 or above, whereas vocational English requires an IELTS score of 5.0 or higher in each part.
• If you’ve filed for a skilled migrant visa in New Zealand, you’ll need an IELTS score of 6.5.

What are the Exam Fees for IELTS Academic and IELTS General?

The exam prices for IELTS Academic and IELTS General are the same. To finish your IELTS exam registration, you must pay Rs. 17,000. The IELTS exam price in India varies according to the test type. Payment can also be done using a credit/debit card, a demand draft, or a direct cash deposit at an approved bank.

Related Reads

• IELTS Exam 2024: Exam Dates, Registration, Fees, Eligibility, Syllabus, Preparation Tips, Results & Score
• IELTS Academic Test Experience
• How to prepare for IELTS?
• IELTS vs TOEFL: Which is Easier for Students
• IELTS Exam Syllabus 2024 (Section-Wise): Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking

IELTS Academic vs General Tests- FAQs

IELTS Academic vs General Training test which is easier?

Typically, IELTS questions are meant to measure a candidate’s English skills, and there is no pass/fail. The Academic version of IELTS assesses a student’s level of understanding, while the reading component of the General Training exam is less demanding than the Academic test.

How difficult is the IELTS General test?

When comparing general IELTS to academic IELTS, the latter is more challenging since it needs a larger vocabulary and understanding of English than the former. However, with consistent practice and devotion to improving one’s English, it is not difficult to get a band of 7 or above.

Which IELTS should I give for MS?

Students who wish to pursue an MS abroad must take the IELTS Academic exam. By demonstrating their English proficiency, this would assist them in being admitted to a reputable institution or university overseas.

Is it possible to convert IELTS General Training to Academic?

It is feasible for candidates to go from the General Training to the Academic version of the IELTS exam. If an applicant would like to switch from one exam type to another, the IDP Education has developed a form for them. At least five days before to their test date, they should complete this form and mail it to the testing location in their area. To confirm the candidates’ legitimacy, a photocopy of a passport or other form of identification should be sent with the application.

Can IELTS Academic be used instead of General IELTS?

It is important for candidates to understand that the two tests have distinct goals. Students must take the IELTS academic exam if they want to apply to international universities where English is the primary language. Since IELTS Academic is intended for students who will likely be studying in an academic context for the next few years, it might be seen as a bit more difficult than IELTS General Training. For people looking to relocate for employment or permanent residence to an English-speaking nation, there is an IELTS General Training module. Although the listening and speaking portions of the tests in all forms are identical, the reading and writing components differ. Before making an appointment for their IELTS exam, candidates must confirm that they meet the necessary prerequisites.