Which Test Do You Need?
This is the first question every IELTS candidate must answer correctly — before studying anything else.
| Purpose | Which Test |
|---|---|
| University admission (undergraduate or postgraduate) | Academic |
| Professional registration (doctors, nurses, teachers) | Academic |
| Skilled migration (Australia, Canada, UK, NZ) | Either (check with your specific visa) |
| Work visa / secondary education abroad | General Training |
| UK family/spouse visa | Life Skills (different test entirely) |
Immigration requirements change. Always verify directly with the institution, university, or immigration authority — not with secondary sources. A result on the wrong test type is not accepted, even if your score is excellent.
Listening and Speaking: Identical for Both
Listening and Speaking are the same for Academic and General Training. Same format, same timing, same scoring, same preparation.
If you need General Training but are finding practice materials, most Listening and Speaking practice applies directly — it was designed for both versions. Only Reading and Writing Task 1 differ.
Reading: The Key Difference
| Academic | General Training | |
|---|---|---|
| Text types | Academic journal articles, research papers | Notices, advertisements, workplace materials, general articles |
| Difficulty | More difficult vocabulary and complex arguments | More accessible texts, but three sections with increasing difficulty |
| Question types | Same as General Training | Same as Academic |
| Time | 60 minutes, 40 questions | 60 minutes, 40 questions |
General Training Reading texts are simpler to understand, but achieving Band 7 or 8 still requires the same raw score. The band score conversion is adjusted — you need MORE correct answers in GT Reading to achieve the same band as Academic.
Writing Task 1: The Biggest Difference
| Academic Task 1 | General Training Task 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Task | Describe a chart, graph, diagram, or map | Write a formal, semi-formal, or informal letter |
| Length | At least 150 words | At least 150 words |
| Style | Objective, impersonal, no opinion | Depends on letter type: formal/semi-formal/informal |
| What is assessed | Data selection, accurate description, overview | Purpose clarity, tone appropriateness, content coverage |
General Training Task 1 letters have three types: Formal (to a company, authority — no contractions, full salutation), Semi-formal (to a neighbour, manager you know), Informal (to a friend — contractions, casual language). Using the wrong tone for the letter type costs Task Achievement marks.
Writing Task 2: Same for Both
Task 2 is identical in both Academic and General Training. Same question types, same length requirement (250 words), same assessment criteria, same band descriptors.
Score Requirements by Purpose
- Most UK universities: Academic IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)
- Medicine/nursing in UK: Academic IELTS 7.0 overall (no band below 7.0)
- Australian skilled migration: varies, often 6.0–7.0 per skill depending on occupation
- Canadian Express Entry: varies by NOC and program — check IRCC directly
Preparation Tips by Version
Academic candidates: Spend more time on Reading (harder texts) and Task 1 chart/graph writing.
General Training candidates: Practise letter writing across all three tones (formal, semi-formal, informal) — this is the most distinctive skill and the area most GT candidates under-prepare.
Register for the correct test before you study. Changing from Academic to GT or vice versa requires re-registration and sometimes a waiting period. Do your research first.