Difference Between IELTS Academic and General Training

Difference Between IELTS Academic and General Training: The main difference between IELTS Academic and General Training lies in the purpose of the exams. The IELTS Academic is specified for students applying for higher education or professional registration in English-speaking countries. On the other hand, IELTS General Training is designed for individuals who are applying for training programmes, work experience, or secondary school in English-speaking countries . Therefore, understanding the key differences between these two versions can help you choose the right test for your academic or professional aspirations.

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Difference Between IELTS Academic and General Training

IELTS Academic Test Meaning

• Purpose : For those applying for higher education or professional registration.
• Reading :
  • 3 long, complex academic texts.
  • Topics include scientific, historical, and technical content.
  • Requires high-level comprehension skills.
• Writing :
  • Task 1 : Describe a graph, chart, table, or diagram.
  • Task 2 : Write an academic essay on a given topic.
• Listening :
  • Same format as the General Training.
  • Contains academic-related content.
• Speaking :
  • Same format as the General Training.
  • Focus on academic topics in Part 3 of the interview.

IELTS General Training Test Meaning

• Purpose : For those migrating for work, secondary school education, or vocational training, and those applying for immigration.
• Reading :
  • 3 sections: general texts, workplace-related content, and social contexts.
  • Simpler vocabulary compared to Academics.
  • Focus on practical reading skills.
• Writing :
  • Task 1 : Write a letter (formal, semi-formal, or informal).
  • Task 2 : Write an essay on a general topic (often social or life-related).
• Listening :
  • Same format as the Academic test.
  • Focus on everyday situations.
• Speaking :
  • Same format as the Academic test.
  • Focus on more informal and personal topics in Part 3.

Difference Between IELTS Academic and General Training Test Format

Similarities Between IELTS Academic and General Training:

• Both IELTS Academic and General Training consist of the same four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
• The speaking section is identical in both IELTS Academic and General Training. It is a face-to-face interview with an examiner.
• Both IELTS Academic and General Training include four recorded sections (conversations, monologues, and discussions) followed by questions, testing the ability to understand spoken English in various contexts.
• Both tests are scored on a 0-9 band scale, with the overall score being an average of the four individual section scores.
• Both IELTS Academic and General Training take approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete, including all sections.