Did you know that there are two IELTS exams? It’s true! The two formats of the exam are called IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. The breakdown of Academic IELTS vs General Training IELTS largely comes down to purpose and, to a lesser degree, format. The IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training versions are similar in format, but differ in content in the Writing and Reading sections of the test. Continue reading this post for a breakdown of the major differences between the IELTS Academic vs IELTS General Training, plus an IELTS General and Academic score comparison, and an answer to the question “Which one is easier: the IELTS General or the IELTS Academic?”
IELTS Academic vs. IELTS General Training
The IELTS academic and general tests differ more in their purpose than in their format.
Purpose: Academic IELTS vs. General Training IELTS
Academic IELTS
It might be obvious to you that the Academic IELTS is intended for (prospective) university students applying for admission in universities and programs in which English is the medium of instruction. But that’s not all – many professionals and job applicants may find that they are also required to provide scores for this version of the test.
One example is medical work. If you want to be a medical professional in Ireland, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada, you’ll definitely need to sit the Academic IELTS. A wide range of medical jobs require this version of the exam, including doctor, nurse, pharmacist, and even hospital lab technician.
Unlike the general training version, the academic version allows test takers to demonstrate some reading and writing skills that aren’t necessarily part of the everyday communicative experience of English speakers. These are considered to be distinct from reading and writing skills for general purposes (see the section on content below).
General Training IELTS
For all other immigration and employment, the general training version is used if you want to enter Canada, the USA, Ireland, the UK, New Zealand, Australia, etc. for general immigration. For example, individuals who are taking the IELTS because they are applying for permission to live in Australia near their grandchildren will find that the General Training IELTS suits their needs.
But the test is not just used for immigration. Multinational corporations sometimes use General Training IELTS scores to assess the English ability of their workers. So test-takers can use their score report to get a job, in some cases.
Format: Two Versions, Four Skills
Both versions of the test have the same general format (check out: The IELTS Format: Four Skills, Four Tests). Your English writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills will be tested separately no matter which version you take. In fact, there aren’t any differences between the listening and speaking sections at all. The same topics and question types can be expected on the IELTS academic or general test.
In format, the same is true of the other two sections. Both writing versions involve two writing tasks (learn more: IELTS Writing Topics) and both reading versions ask 40 questions in response to assigned readings. Differences begin to appear, however, in the nature of the content and task types, which we move on to now.
Content: IELTS Academic vs. IELTS General Training
University students and professionals must be equipped with English reading skills that are strong enough for texts in professional and academic journals, textbooks, and relevant magazines and newspapers. As such, the Academic IELTS uses texts taken directly from these kinds of sources to test comprehension skills. Similarly, the writing tasks specific to this version use sample topics that would be relevant in academic and professional settings. English writing skills will be assessed to make sure they are strong enough to write college-level essays.
Those taking the General Training IELTS, on the other hand, will encounter the kind of language that would appear in advertisements, guidebooks, magazines, notices, or what working people might encounter in employee manuals. A test taker’s written English will be tested on general tasks such as letter writing or basic essay writing.
IELTS General and Academic Score Comparison
Perhaps the biggest difference between these two versions of the test is the way that they’re scored. Granted, IELTS Listening, Speaking, and Writing are scored the same way on both exams. But IELTS Reading, which represents a full 25% of your score, is rated very differently on IELTS academic vs. IELTS general training.
For example, suppose you get 30 out of 40 answers correct in IELTS Reading, also known as a raw score of 30. In general training reading, that’s an IELTS Band of 5.0. But 30 out of 40 gets you a 6.0 in academic reading. Your raw scores have a totally different meaning depending on whether you’re looking at the IELTS academic or general test!
IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training Score Comparison Charts
For an official, but incomplete, chart of these Reading raw score/band score conversions, check out the second chart on the official IELTS Scoring web page. These conversions can help you come up with an IELTS general and academic score comparison.
There is also an unofficial table of the difference between Listening and Reading scores on the IELTS academic or general test. This chart, which comes from the Wikipedia article on the IELTS, is more complete than the official one. It is also very reliable. All figures come from the unofficial-but-accurate online IELTS score calculator. You can see the chart below:
Source: Wikipedia
Which one is easier: Academic IELTS vs General Training IELTS?
When there are two similar English skill exams, like the IELTS academic or general test, it’s always hard to say whether one is easier. After all, different students find certain things easier or harder. As the expression goes in English, “your mileage may vary.”
With that being said, the answer to the question above is… the General Training IELTS is probably easier than the Academic IELTS. Nearly every IELTS student I’ve talked to feels that it is less challenging. Writing a short letter is easier than summarizing a complicated graph or table! If you decide to pursue the General Training version, you can get started with Magoosh’s IELTS lessons here.
The makers of the test certainly seem to agree. The IELTS assumes that getting 30 out of 40 in general training reading is as hard as getting 23 out of 40 in academic reading. This is why 30/40 general training and 23/40 academic are both band 6.
However, do not assume that IELTS Listening or Speaking will be easier in general training. These two sections are the exact same format and the exact same difficulty level, no matter if you’re sitting for the IELTS academic or general test.
Does the easier nature mean you should choose General Training IELTS over Academic? Not really. Ultimately these tests really are 70% similar, and you won’t have a choice as to which format you sit for. So it’s probably better to figure out how hard the IELTS will be for you, regardless of the version you sit for.
For engineering which exam should I take?- general or academic
That’s a good question. It depends a lot on both the job and the country you’re wanting to move to. I’ve seen employers and immigration offices ask for either IELTS General Training or IELTS Academic for engineering. IELTS GT is definitely the more common requirement. But again, you’ll want to double check to make sure.
Hey I’m a final year student of Electrical engineering dept. Which test I should prefer IELTS academic or IELTS general ? I’m looking to get enrolled in Australian University
Hi Syed,
I recommend contacting your target schools to see what tests they require or recommend.
Can I apply for job instead of any course in Australia if i have cleared ielts academic exam?
Some Australian work-based visas accept IELTS Academic. This is especially true for jobs in medicine or healthcare. Many other skilled migrant visas to Australia require either IELTS General Training or TOEFL, however. So you’ll want to double-check the exact testing requirements for the particular type of job you’re looking to get.
I am an engineer. I applied & got offer letter from a Shipping company of Australia, They required IELTS score. For applying of the test which one module will be suitable for me, Academic or General training module?
Hi Vijay!
For immigration purposes, the IELTS General test is usually the one you want. With that said, you could probably contact the company to ask for the exam they want. 🙂
Hi I am Naresh , i am a pharmacist , planning to work in Canada , which course is suitable for me ACADEMY OR GENERAL
Hi Naresh,
I recommend looking up the visa requirements for Canada directly on their government website to ensure that you have the most up to date information about visa requirements.
Hey, I am a student and I am in my senior year of high school and i want to apply to universities in US and UK for my undergraduate program, so which ielts exam should i consider to take?
In that case you’ll definitely want IELTS Academic!
Hi, I am planning to apply for Canadian PR. Which IELTS test should I take? please note that I am working professional with engineering background.
Hi Suhail!
For the most part, IELTS General is accepted for Canada PR. For more information, check out this link here.
Hello,
Is it possible to immigrate with my family if I want to take IELTS Academic to study and work in Canada?
Hi Dominic,
Our expertise is in test prep, not immigration legal advice, so I’m afraid we aren’t the best people to answer this question! I recommend that you contact an immigration lawyer or look at Canadian immigration laws for an answer 🙂 Good luck!
Hello,
Am doing Bachelors of Business Administration in my country Uganda but would love to upgrade for a masters in UK, USA, Australia, Canada and work at the same time. which IELTS should i take ?
Hi Philemon,
For graduate programs, you’ll want to take the IELTS Academic. 🙂
Hello, I am applying for canadian express entry program and planning to give my ielts test next month. Which ielts test is required for that? general or academic?
Hi Umair,
For Canadian Express Entry, you’ll take the General Training IELTS. For more information, check out this website.
Government of Canada – Express Entry
Hi!!!
Thanks for the info. If I relocate to Canada for example, using IELTS GT, can I at any time apply in same country for admission into PG courses even as I must have worked and lived there with my IELTS GT?
Hi Lucia,
Our expertise is in test prep, not admissions or immigration advice, so I’m afraid we aren’t the best people to answer this question! I recommend starting by doing some research and contacting schools directly. Good luck!
Hii…. I am looking for Ph D in UK universities. So which IELTS I need to do and how to prepare for this exam. Also want to know university how much need IELTS grad.
Hi Abhishek!
If you’re taking the IELTS for graduate programs, you’ll want to take the Academic IELTS. 🙂 The IELTS score you need will depend on the schools that you’re interested in. I’d recommend doing some research on your own to find programs that you’re interested, from there, you can check out their admissions pages or contact their admissions offices directly for more information on IELTS requirements. 🙂
Now, let’s talk about how you can prepare for the IELTS. We can definitely help you. The first thing I’d recommend is to check out our study schedules. Additionally, you could try out Magoosh IELTS with a free 7-day trial.
Hey,
I am a primary school teacher by profession. Which form if ielts do I need for a PR in Australia?
Hi Praneet,
We aren’t admissions experts, so we aren’t the best people to answer this question. This blog post could be a good starting point: IELTS Scores for Top Australian Schools.
Hey, I am a student and I am in my senior year of high school and i want to apply to universities in turk or UK for my undergraduate program, so which ielts exam should i consider to take?
Hi Reiney,
Most universities require the Academic IELTS, but you should reach out to the admissions office in your target schools for more information.
Hi!!!
I’m looking for study PhD in USA universities. Which test will satisfy for me the IELTS or TOEFL? Is that possible I can pass the Academic IELTS with 8 or more when my english level is upper-intermediate? Please write about how I can prepare of system for take IELTS by myself.
Hi Jadnar,
You will have to check the admissions requirements for your target schools for more information about testing and score requirements. We have a lot of resources on our blog to help self-studyers, but I also recommend that you check out our Premium programs for IELTS and TOEFL Our Premium programs are comprehensive and will help you to prepare for either test!
Hello, im a filipino working here in K.S.A. and am planning to take IELTS exam for future use of changing work location to Australia. I would like to as how many years will be the validity of an IELTS test exam results?
Hi Gerald,
IELTS certificates are valid for two years.
i wants to peruse my MS in NZ or UK, shall I go for academic IELTS>
Hi Shruti,
If you’re planning to take the IELTS for graduate school, then you should take the Academic IELTS. 🙂
Hope this helps!
I have an Job offer from Austria , to get the work permit RWR card I must have a Valid English certificate B1, I am planning to take IELTS, could you please suggest which IELTS exam I should take?
Thanks
Jaydeep
Our expertise is in test prep, not immigration rules/laws. I recommend that you contact an immigration attorney or look up the requirements on the government website.
Hi I want to apply for the job of teaching in Caneda through express entry.I have done Masters in three subjects.which type of IELTS test is better for me academic or general?
Our expertise is in test prep, not immigration rules/laws. I recommend that you contact an immigration attorney or look up the requirements on the government website.
Hi. I am looking forward to preparing for IELTS general exam for PR in Canada. I also want to study thereafter. Do I need to give ILETS academic exam as well?? Would e of great help.
Thank You 🙂
Hi Vani,
Most universities require the Academic IELTS, so you should be prepared to take it. I recommend contacting your target schools to learn more about their requirements.
Hello Team,
I have completed my Master’s (Integrated Degree) in 2016 and have 3.4 years of IT experience.
I’m in dilemma to go for PR or further study.
If I take IELTS Academic, will it be applicable for both PR and study…? If not so, which one should I choose.?
Please advise me on this. I am very much confused about which exam to take.
Thanks in advance. 🙂
Hi Manoj,
Our expertise is in test prep, not immigration rules/laws. I recommend that you contact an immigration attorney or look up the requirements on the government website.
I want to live and work in Australia. My working background is on Information Technology, what exam should I get? IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training?
Hi there,
Our expertise is in test prep, not immigration rules/laws. I recommend that you contact an immigration attorney or look up the requirements on the Australian government website.
thankyou so much for your information .
i wanted to study master of science so which IELTS should i need to choose?
Hi Marilyn,
You will most likely need to take the Academic IELTS for admission to a university graduate program, but make sure to check on the admissions website of your target schools to get the most updated information.
Does the general reading comprise of smaller and simpler passages as compared to academic? Does academic have more full length pages to be read and answered ?
Hi Priya,
The passages on the general test are generally easier to understand than the ones on the academic exam.
Good day
I would like to migrate to Canada or Australia for job opportunities in areas like banking(customer service officer,bank manager ,etc).Can i take the IELTS general test
Hi Greater,
Our expertise is in test prep, not immigration law. I recommend that you consult with an immigration agency or lawyer.
I want to go Canada but my study gap is more than 9 years. Now please suggest me how can i get chance to take my higher education.
Hi Ala,
If you are trying to study in Canada, I recommend that you reach out directly to the admissions officers at your target schools. They can help you to understand the requirements for admission. Many people go back to school after years away. It can be difficult to get started because you are not used to studying, but work experience can look good on your resume!
HEY
I am a medical doctor with desire to follow a specialisation program in the UK.
which IELTS?
THANKS
Hi Becks, Our expertise is in test prep, not immigration rules/laws. I recommend that you reach out to the UK immigration office for more information on this. You may also want to contact the organization that you plan to work with in order to complete the specialization program.
Hey, i am shubham jindal and i am a tutor of IELTS. You have shared great information. Thanks.
Hi Becks, just saw your comment and it reminded the same question I had a few months ago. when I was looking for answers I got into a really nice website (www.canada2036.com) with great information about immigrating to Canada and what you should do in order to get a Student visa.
Please I’m a graduate nurse assistant.. I hold certificate not diploma or degree which of the test should I take
Hi Abigail, this depends on what you plan to use the TOEFL for. You should contact whatever organization or school is requiring you to take the exam and ask what they prefer. Good luck!
Hey, I am shubham jindal and i am a blogger. I have completed my IELTS recentely and i got 7.5 bands in the IELTS Academic Test. I came on your website to know about the difference between GT and Academic. You have given great information sir. Thanks for sharing this type of Informational Articles. Keep posting.
I have been following Magoosh blog since quite some time and I appeared in the general examination based on the information shared here.
I scored CLB level 10 and Magoosh has contributed a lot to it. 🙂
Thank you. Keep up the good work
This is great to hear, Disha! Congrats! Thanks for the note 🙂