IELTS Academic vs General Training
Take IELTS Academic to study at university or register in some professions; take General Training for most work and migration applications. Listening and Speaking are the same in both; only Reading and Writing differ.
Which one to choose
- Academic: university and college study, and professional registration in some fields (for example many healthcare bodies).
- General Training: migration to countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK, work experience and training programmes.
Always check the exact requirement with the university, employer or immigration programme: they decide which test and which band they accept.
What is different
| Academic | General Training | |
|---|---|---|
| Reading texts | Three long texts from books, journals and newspapers | Short everyday and workplace texts, then one longer text |
| Writing Task 1 | Describe a chart, graph, table, map or process | Write a letter |
| Writing Task 2 | Essay | Essay, usually on more familiar topics |
| Listening, Speaking | Same | Same |
Is one easier?
Neither is simply easier. General Training Reading texts are more familiar, but you need more correct answers for the same band (see how band scores are calculated). Academic Task 1 needs data description skills that some people find harder than letter writing.