IELTS Academic vs General Training: which one do you need?
Short answer: take IELTS Academic if you are applying to a university or for professional registration, and IELTS General Training if you are applying to migrate or for work or training below degree level. But the final decision always belongs to the university, regulator or immigration authority, so check their official page before booking.
What is the same?
Both versions have four parts, scored on the same 0 to 9 band scale: Listening (about 30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes) and Speaking (11 to 14 minutes). Listening and Speaking are identical in both versions.
What is different?
| Part | Academic | General Training |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | Three long texts on academic topics, taken from books, journals and magazines | Short everyday texts (adverts, notices), work-related texts, and one longer general text |
| Writing Task 1 | Describe a graph, chart, table, map or process (at least 150 words) | Write a letter, formal, semi-formal or personal (at least 150 words) |
| Writing Task 2 | Essay (at least 250 words) | Essay (at least 250 words), on general-interest topics |
Which one should you choose?
- Studying at a university abroad: Academic, in almost all cases.
- Nursing, medicine or other professional registration: check the regulator. Many ask for Academic, and some accept other tests such as OET.
- Migration or permanent residency: usually General Training, but confirm with the immigration authority.
- Work experience or training programmes: usually General Training.
How to prepare
Prepare for the version you will actually sit. For Academic, practise describing data and reading dense passages under time pressure. For General Training, practise letter writing in the right tone and scanning short texts quickly. For both, build your Listening and Speaking early and take timed practice tests.
Our online IELTS course has separate Academic and General Training tracks, so you only practise what you need. See the IELTS course and book a free demo, or use our free band score calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use IELTS Academic for migration?
It depends on the country and visa category. Many immigration programmes ask for General Training, some accept either, and some ask for Academic. Always check the official requirement.
Is IELTS General Training easier than Academic?
The scoring scale is the same, but the Reading texts are shorter and more everyday, and Writing Task 1 is a letter. Many candidates find these parts easier, but the band descriptors are equally strict.
Do Listening and Speaking differ between the two?
No. Listening and Speaking are the same for both versions.
Can I switch from Academic to General Training later?
Yes, but you must book the version you need for each test, and a score from one version cannot be converted into the other.