Academic vs General Training
Same Listening · same Speaking · different Reading and Writing Task 1
You sit one version, chosen by the organisation you are applying to. Everything in this course is written twice — use the Academic / General toggle on the course home page to see the version that matches your test.
| Area | IELTS Academic | IELTS General Training |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | Identical test | Identical test |
| Speaking | Identical test | Identical test |
| Reading texts | 3 long texts from journals, books and broadsheet-style articles. | Short everyday and workplace texts first, then one long general-interest text. |
| Reading difficulty | Denser vocabulary and argument — the same band needs fewer correct answers. | More accessible texts — the band boundaries are higher (you need more correct answers). |
| Writing Task 1 | Describe a graph, chart, table, map or process in 150 words. | Write a letter (formal, semi-formal or personal) in 150 words. |
| Writing Task 2 | 250-word essay, slightly more abstract prompts. | 250-word essay, more everyday prompts — same marking criteria. |
| Who it is for | University study and professional registration (medicine, nursing, engineering). | Migration to the UK, Australia, Canada or NZ, secondary school and work experience. |
Choose Academic if…
- You are applying to a university or college (undergraduate or postgraduate).
- You need professional registration — medicine, nursing, engineering, law.
- Your visa route asks for an Academic score (for example a UK Student visa).
Choose General Training if…
- You are migrating to the UK, Australia, Canada or New Zealand.
- You are applying for work, work experience or training below degree level.
- You are joining a secondary school programme.