IELTS is recognized as a standardized and most reliable test of English language proficiency for non-native English speakers. Introduced in the year 1989, the IELTS examination is accepted universally and acknowledged by many universities and companies across the globe. The testing method of IELTS focuses on a candidate’s capabilities to comprehend and use English in real-life situations swiftly. Thus, obtaining a good score in the IELTS test acts as a medium for aspirants to fulfill their dreams of studying in an English environment.
There are two types of IELTS tests – i) Academic IELTS and ii) General Training IELTS. Candidates are often confused about making the right choice of IELTS test that can meet their requirements regarding their education or job. In this article, we will give a detailed explanation of both types of IELTS tests so that you can make the right choice.
Here’s a Quick Understanding of both types of IELTS Test
IELTS Academic
This test is suitable for students who want to pursue a graduation/post-graduation degree from a renowned international university or want to start their career in a foreign country. This test is designed to assess the English language proficiency of a candidate who wants to pursue higher education in English speaking country. The IELTS academic test is supposed to be more difficult than the IELTS General Training test.
IELTS General Training
This test is suitable for candidates who want to apply to study below degree level. It can also be taken up for work purposes or other employment training. The test features everyday English language skills that a person needs in a social and workplace environment.
There are four parts of the IELTS test: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Candidates appearing for both Academic and General Training tests take the same speaking and listening tests but different reading and writing tests. The IELTS Academic test is for students who want to pursue higher education at overseas universities where English is the primary language while the IELTS General Training test is for those who want to apply to study below degree level or for work purposes. It can also be taken up for work purposes or other employment training.
The listening, Reading, and Writing sections of all IELTS tests are completed on the same day while the speaking section can be completed up to a week before or after the other sections.
The Difference in the Academic and General Training Tests of IELTS:
Speaking Test
The speaking test of IELTS is the same for both academic and general training. However, the timing of the test may vary from 11-14 minutes as it requires a face-to-face discussion on a familiar topic. In this test, an applicant is interviewed by a certified examiner
Writing Test
The IELTS writing test is different for both IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic candidates.
a.) IELTS General Training: The duration of this test is one hour.
- In task 1, candidates are presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal, or formal in style.
- In task 2, candidates will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. The essay can be fairly personal in style.
b.) IELTS Academic: The duration of this test is one hour. Two tasks need to be completed by candidates.
- In task 1: candidates are asked to describe some visual information in 150 words in about 20 minutes.
- In task 2: Candidates are asked to respond to a point of view or argument in 250 words in about 40 minutes.
The duration of the listening test IELTS is approximately half an hour and ten minutes are provided extra for transferring your answer sheets. This section comprises four sub-sections, each section includes ten questions related to social, educational, and training contexts. In this section, you need to choose one of the sections given in the test. Then you can play the audio and answer the questions accordingly. After completing the test, you can check your answers.
Read More: General Training Writing Task 1 || IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
Reading Test
The reading test is different for both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training tests.
a.) General Training Test: The duration of the test is 1 hour in which candidates need to complete 3 sections consisting of 40 questions.
- Section 1: consists of two to three factual topics that are most spoken in English-speaking countries.
- Section 2: consists of two factual tests that are related to work (e.g workplace facilities, company policies)
- Section 3: is a large section that comprises complex texts related to general interest topics.
b.) Academic Test:
In this test, candidates are required to complete three sections (40 questions) in one hour. The texts in the academic test are supposed to be more challenging than the general test. Texts are taken from magazines, books, and newspapers and are related to academic topics.
Recommended Reads: IELTS Academic Reading || IELTS General Reading
Listening Test
The listening test is the same for both the IELTS Academic and General tests. The duration of the listening test IELTS is approximately half an hour and ten minutes are provided extra for transferring your answer sheets. This section comprises 4 sub-sections, each section includes 10 questions related to social, educational, and training contexts. In this section, you need to choose one of the sections given in the test. Then you can play the audio and answer the questions accordingly. After completing the test, you can check your answers.