General IELTS vs. Academic IELTS: What’s the difference?

The most widely used language in the world, without any qualms, is English. If you are looking to live, work or study in an English-speaking country, then it is imperative to have a good level of ability in English language skills.  It’s quite obligatory to be able to communicate in the native language of the country where you wish to live, study, or work. By doing so, one will have numerous benefits such as getting easily integrated into the local community, and a lot more job opportunities.

Even if you have been studying in English, you will still need to enhance your language skills. For this, IELTS is the right solution. IELTS or International English Language Test System is designed to help and prepare you to study, work or migrate to a country that has English as its native languages such as Canada, Australia, The UK, The USA, and New Zealand.

IELTS is recognized across the globe by more than 10,000 universities, employers, immigration bodies, schools, and institutions. It is acknowledged in more than 80 countries in the world.

While you would research IELTS on the search engine, you will come across IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Both assessment tests help to prove your English language proficiency. Get a much better clear idea of IELTS from one of the leading study abroad consultants in Ahmedabad, Flamingo Educare’s expert team shall analyze your credentials and provide you with complete guidance and assistance for it.

Types of IELTS

The ratings or scores of the IELTS are considered as substantiation of proficiency in the English language to enable one to study, visit, work, or migrate to English-speaking countries. There are two types of IELTS, IELTS Academic, and IELTS General Training. Both these test will assess your skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing

Depending on the purpose of your visit to an English-speaking country, the institution shall specify the examination scores they would prefer. Generally, IELTS academic is accepted by professional registration bodies and universities, and IELTS General Training is required for immigration, visa, and employment purposes. IELTS accepted countries are The USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and many others.

IELTS Academic

Mostly IELTS is required for seeking admission in universities in the UK and other countries. The IELTS Academic test is appropriate for those who wish to study in an English-speaking

The IELTS Academic test is suitable for those who want to study in an English-speaking environment or higher education in a university. This test features vocabulary similar to an academic setting. The test will evaluate whether you have the level of proficiency in the English language that is essential for an academic, higher education environment and assesses whether you are ready to train or study in English.

IELTS Academic test has four constituents such as speaking, writing, listening, and reading. You will be allotted a band score for each constituent and then an overall band score.

IELTS General Training

Apart from IELTS Academic test, another most preferred test is the IELTS General Training. This test includes everyday skills in the English language that is required in the workplace and social environments. The IELTS general training consists of 4 constituents such as speaking, writing, reading, and listening. You will receive a band score for each of them and then an overall band score shall be calculated. This test generally fathoms a candidate’s proficiency in the English Language in a more practical everyday context.

IELTS General training is opted for people who wish to avail work experience or for any training programs, or those to wish to enroll in a secondary school to study below degree level, or for immigration purposes, wherein one wants to migrate to English-speaking countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA.

Difference between IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training

Once the student decides to go ahead with IELTS, the next big question on their mind is to decide on the type of IELTS, whether he or she should opt for ILETS Academic or IELTS General Training. Both these tests are quite similar but there is a small difference amongst them. Amongst the 4 components in both tests, speaking and listening tests are the same but the difference is in writing and reading tests of each.

IELTS Academic is opted by candidates for academic purposes, those who are planning to get admission in any college or university. IELTS General Training is suitable for those candidates who are seeking work experience or training programs or trying to seek admission in a secondary school or those who want to migrate to an English-speaking country. Nevertheless, before finalizing the IELTS version, it is recommended that candidates should contact the institution to which they are applying, or should talk to the immigration department.

Test Format for IELTS Academic

Be it IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training, for both the tests, the candidates take the same speaking and listening tests but have different writing and reading test. Ensure that you prepare for the right one.

The IELTS Academic test format contains topics that are suitable for those who are entering university or professional institutions.

The writing, reading, and listening components are completed on the same day of the test without any breaks or intervals in between them, whereas the speaking test can be taken on the later part of the day or any time during the week. The entire duration of the test is around 2.45 hours.

IELTS Academic Reading

The duration of the IELTS Academic Reading test is 60 minutes. The IELTS Academic Reading format consists of 3 long texts that are sourced from journals, books, newspapers, magazines; notices company handbooks, official documents, and advertisements.  They are appropriate for candidates who are planning to seek admission for university courses or for those who are seeking professional registration. This component consists of 40 questions that test a wide range of the candidate’s reading skills.

IELTS Academic Writing

The IELTS Academic Writing format is generally a bit more formal. The duration of this test is 60 minutes. In this test, you will have to write a diagram, or a chart, or a table consisting of 150 words and a short essay of around 250 words. In IELTS task 1 writing, the candidate is provided a table, graph, diagram, or chart, which has to be explained or described, or summarised in their own words. In the second part of the writing task, the candidate is supposed to write an essay about a particular argument or problem or a particular point of view. Both the task responses should be in a formal style.

IELTS Academic Listening

The duration of the IELTS Academic listening test is around 30 to 35 minutes. The candidates have to listen to 4 recordings of native English speakers and they are then supposed to write answers to a series of questions mentioned in 4 sections.

The IELTS listening academic format has 4 sections, wherein section 1 depicts an everyday social context conversation between two persons, section 2 consists of an everyday social context monologue, section 3 consists of a group of around 4 people discussing an educational or training context, and section 4 consists of an academic subject monologue. Before starting the test, the candidate will be given time to read the questions and in the end, too will have some time to review the answers.

Test Format for IELTS General Training

The IELTS General Training test will contain topics based on general interest. The IELTS general test format is similar to that of the IELTS academic test but it differs in reading and writing tests.

The writing, reading, and listening components are completed on the same day of the test without any breaks or intervals in between them, whereas the speaking test can be taken on the later part of the day or any time during the week. The entire duration of the test is around 2.45 hours.

IELTS General Reading

The duration of the IELTS General Training Reading test takes 60 minutes. The IELTS General Reading format consists of around 5 to 6 texts that are sourced from magazines, newspapers, books, journals, notices, advertisements, company guidelines, and handbooks. These texts are generally like the ones which you come across on daily basis in an English-speaking environment. This section consists of 40 questions that test a wide range of the candidate’s reading skills.

IELTS General Writing

The duration of the IELTS General Writing test is for one hour. The IELTS General Writing format consists of writing a letter of 150 words and a short essay of around 250 words. In IELTS task 1 writing, a situation is presented to the candidate, wherein he or she has to write a letter explaining the situation or to request any information based on the situation. In the second part, an essay has to be written in response to a particular problem, argument, or a particular point of view. The candidate’s responses to both the tasks should be in a semi-formal style.

IELTS General Listening

The duration of the IELTS General Training listening test is around 30 to 35 minutes. The candidates have to listen to 4 recordings of native English speakers and they are then supposed to write answers to a series of questions mentioned in 4 sections.

The IELTS General listening format has 4 sections, wherein section 1 depicts an everyday social context conversation between two persons, section 2 consists of an everyday social context monologue, section 3 consists of a group of around 4 people discussing an educational or training context, and section 4 consists of an academic subject monologue. Before starting the test, the candidate will be given time to read the questions and in the end, too will have some time to review the answers.

Which Test Should You Take?

Amongst the two categories of the IELTS test, Academic and General Training, the candidate should opt for the test on what he or she wants to pursue in a foreign country. Even if you have been studying in English, an IELTS test will be helpful to you in various ways whether you wish to emigrate to an English-speaking country or planning to work abroad, or simply just want to polish your English language skills. The candidate also needs to ensure which test is preferred by the institutions or organizations that he or she is planning to apply for. Without any hesitation, seek the expert guidance of our Flamingo Educare team, to understand your preferences and credentials and guide the best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions about IELTS Exams

Is General IELTS easier than academic?

Amongst the two categories of IELTS – IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, IELTS general is much easier than academic as it is for those candidates who need a working knowledge of English so that they can have easier communication in a foreign country.

Should I select academic or general IELTS?

Amongst the two categories of IELTS – IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, the test you select should be based on what you want to pursue in a foreign land. For example, if you are planning to go for higher studies or are looking for professional registration, you should opt for the IELTS Academic test. If you are planning to study in secondary school or planning to migrate abroad, to an English-speaking country then you should opt for IELTS General Training.

Do universities accept General IELTS?

Yes, many universities accept IELTS General Training scores, however, it varies amongst universities, hence it is advisable to check with the institution or organization you are applying for, alternatively, seek guidance from the Flamingo Educare team.

What is the difference between academic and general IELTS?

The big question on the candidate’s mind is to decide on the type of IELTS. For this, he or she should know the difference between Academic and General IELTS. Both these tests are quite similar but there is a small difference amongst them. Amongst the 4 components in both tests, speaking and listening tests are the same but the difference is in writing and reading tests of each. Both the tests are variable based on your purpose of visit to an English-speaking country.

What is a good IELTS score?

The IELTS council has laid down different band scores for evaluating IELTS results. A good IELTS score ranges from 0-9 and is known as the band score. Each band score corresponds to a specific level of proficiency in English.  This IELTS score differs from university to university and country to country. The difference also varies based on the study course, the tier of visa applied for, and the position: as in graduate or undergraduate course.