What is the differnce between IELTS Academic and IELTS General?

IELTS is divided into two versions: the IELTS Academic test and the IELTS General Training test. Both IELTS Academic and General Training tests are designed to assess the language skills of non-native speakers, but they are intended for different purposes and have different formats and content. It's important to determine which test is appropriate for your needs before you register to take the test. In this blog Lingua Skills will describe the differences between the both.

The IELTS Academic test is designed for individuals who plan to study or work in an academic environment in a country where English is the primary language of instruction. The test assesses the language skills needed for academic success, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking. It is often required for admission to universities and other higher education institutions in English-speaking countries.

The IELTS General Training test, on the other hand, is intended for individuals who plan to work or train in a country where English is the primary language of communication. The test assesses the language skills needed for everyday life in an English-speaking country, including tasks such as communicating with colleagues and friends, writing letters and emails, and reading simple texts. It is often required for immigration and visa purposes.

Both versions of the IELTS test are scored on a scale of 0 to 9, with 9 being the highest possible score. The scores are based on the overall performance of the test-taker in the four language skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. However, the test format and content for the IELTS Academic and General Training versions are different.

The IELTS Academic test includes three long texts in the reading section, while the IELTS General Training test includes a variety of texts, including two texts related to work or training and two texts related to general interest. In the writing section, the IELTS Academic test requires the test-taker to write a report or an essay based on a given topic, while the IELTS General Training test requires the test-taker to write a letter or a short report based on a given topic.