IELTS Academic vs General Training

Which version you need and how the Reading and Writing sections differ. This guide is part of our full IELTS guide.

Preparation

1. Start with a diagnostic mock test to find your weakest band and study that first
2. Practise Writing Task 2 essays under time and get them marked; this is where most students lose half a band
3. Read a broadsheet newspaper article every day and summarise it in one paragraph
4. Record yourself answering Part 2 cue cards for two minutes without stopping
5. Learn the question types in Listening and Reading; technique alone lifts scores by a band

Resources

• The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS: Skills lessons plus eight practice tests with answer explanations.
• Cambridge IELTS 16 to 20: Genuine past papers; the best measure of your real band.
• IELTS Trainer 2: Six full tests with step-by-step guidance on the first two.

Comparison

Both tests are accepted by most universities. Choose the format you perform better in: a face-to-face speaking test suits some students, a fully computer-based test suits others. Fees, result times and validity are similar. For UK visa routes needing a Secure English Language Test, only IELTS for UKVI and PTE Academic UKVI qualify.

Which version you need

Academic for university admission and professional registration. General Training for migration and work visas. Listening and Speaking are identical; Reading and Writing differ in text type and tasks.

Questions