The difference between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training lies in their purposes and target audiences. The Academic version is typically for those seeking entry into universities, while the General Training version is more commonly used for migration purposes. The choice between the two depends on where you intend to use your test score. Universities typically require the Academic version and organisations for migration often accept the General Training version. It's important to check the specific requirements of the organisation where you plan to work or study before booking your test to ensure you choose the appropriate version.

IELTS Academic Vs General: Test Format

IELTS exams are available in two formats: Academic and General Training. Both versions assess your skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. However, they vary slightly different ways and with diverse content focuses. Below is the table that provides details of the IELTS format.

IELTS Test Sections	IELTS Academic	IELTS General
Reading	It contains 40 Questions (3 Reading Passages), Duration - 60 minutes	It contains 40 Questions (3 Sections) Duration - 60 minutes
Writing	It contains 2 Writing Tasks (Graphs Essay) Duration -60 minutes	It contains 2 Writing Tasks (Letter Essay) Duration -60 minutes
Listening	It contains 40 Questions (4 Sections) Duration - 30 Minutes and 10 Minutes to transfer answers to sheets
Speaking	It contains 3 Sections (Introduction Cue Card Discussion), Duration - 11-14 Minutes

Overview and Structure of the IELTS Test: IELTS Test Sections Explained

The IELTS test comprises four sections: Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking. The total duration for completing all these sections is 2 hours and 45 minutes. Candidates are required to take the Listening, Reading, and Writing tests consecutively on the same day without any breaks. The Speaking test, however, can be scheduled either on the same day or up to a week before or after the other tests, depending on the test centre's scheduling.

Test Format Options

Applicants have the choice of taking the test either on paper or on a computer, with the format and questions remaining consistent across both mediums. The primary difference lies in the method of recording answers.

Detailed Description of Each IELTS Section

IELTS Academic vs General Reading

• IELTS Academic Reading: Candidates face three long reading passages suited to a university level, with tasks that include a variety of question types. The sources for these texts range from books to journals and newspapers.
• IELTS General Training Reading: This test includes five to six shorter texts derived from everyday sources like advertisements and company handbooks, also comprising 40 questions of different types.

IELTS Academic vs General Listening 

• The listening test is common for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
• The Listening test involves four recorded texts—comprising two monologues and two conversations—with accents that may include British, Australian, New Zealand, and North American. 
• The test includes a mix of everyday social contexts and educational or training contexts, with a total of 40 questions featuring various question types.

IELTS Academic vs General Writing 

• IELTS Academic Writing: Includes tasks such as describing visual information from graphs, charts, or diagrams.
• IELTS General Training Writing: Involves tasks like writing letters in response to a given situation.
• Both sections of the Writing test ask candidates to write discursive essays on given topics or arguments.

IELTS Academic vs General Speaking 

• Just like the Listening test, the Speaking test is common for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
• This test is divided into three parts and assesses the candidate's ability to communicate effectively. 
• The initial part involves answering general questions about personal interests, with subsequent parts requiring deeper discussion on more abstract topics and ideas.

This detailed breakdown of the IELTS sections helps candidates understand what to expect and how to prepare for each part of the test effectively.

How IELTS test scores are calculated?

IELTS BAND SCORE	LEVEL	DESCRIPTION
9	Expert	You have full operational command of the language and excellent fluency with a complete understanding.
8	Very good	You handle complex argumentation well and misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations.
7	Good	You handle complex languages well and understand detailed reasoning.
6	Competent	You have an effective command of language. You can use complex words.
5	Modest	You make many mistakes and can handle basic communication.
4	Limited	Difficulty in understanding and using complex words.
3	Extremely limited	You have difficulty in communication
2	Intermittent	You have difficulty in understanding the words.
1	Denied	You didn’t have the ability to use the new words.
0	Did not attend	You did not answer the question.

Which test should I take?

Choosing between the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training tests depends primarily on your specific goals and the requirements set by the institution or organisation you are applying. Here’s how you can decide which version of the IELTS is suitable for you:

Choose IELTS Academic if you:

• Plan to study at an undergraduate or postgraduate level in an English-speaking country where English is the medium of instruction.
• Need to apply for a Student Route visa (Tier 4) to study at a UK university that is a Student Route (Tier 4) Sponsor.
• Are a professional (like a doctor or nurse) looking to get licensed or certified in an English-speaking country.
• Want to work for a professional organisation in an English-speaking country. This is often required for professions that have regulatory requirements for English proficiency.

Choose IELTS General if you:

• Are planning to train or study below the degree level. This could be for vocational training or other non-academic educational pursuits.
• Need to work or undertake work-related training in an English-speaking environment. This is suited for those looking to gain practical work experience or skills development.
• Are emigrating to an English-speaking country such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the UK. IELTS General Training is often required for immigration purposes.
• Require English proficiency for certain visa categories in these countries, or need to get another job in your own country where a recognised proficiency in the English language is required.

Eligibility for IELTS Academic exam

Below are the eligibility criteria for students who planning to take IELTS academic exam.

• The minimum age for writing the IELTS exam is 16. 
  hold a passport for writing the test and it can also be used for registration purposes. 
• There are no score limits in IELTS academics as the score varies from university to university. If you hit the top score you get admission to a top institute. 

Eligibility for IELTS general

The IELTS general training test is used for immigration visas in many countries. In the United Kingdom, the scores required depend on the type of visa sought. 

• Applicants must have a band score of 7.0 for Tier 1 general visa, 7.0 in each section.
• For other types of Tier 1 visas such as exceptional talent and entrepreneur vias, 4.0 on each section is required. This sounds to be easy when compared to the first one.
• For Canada, if you have applied for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the requirement of CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) is band 7 in either language English or French. 
• For Visa applicants to choose the former language, a band of 6.0 or higher is required in each section. The English benchmark for the Canadian federal skilled trades program is 5, which equals the IELTS score of 5 in each section.
• IELTS is required for Australian general skilled migration visas with the minimum score dependent on your profession. To get qualified you need competent or vocational English skills. Where competent is subjected to an IELTS score of 6.0 or more while vocational English is defined as an IELTS score of 5.0 or more on each section.
• If you have applied for skilled migrant visas in New Zealand you need to secure an IELTS score band of 6.5.

What are the exam fees for IELTS Academic and IELTS General?

• The exam fees for IELTS Academic and IELTS General are the same. Inorder to complete your IELTS test registration you need to pay Rs. 17,000.
• The IELTS test fee in India differs as per the test type.And the payment can be made by credit card/Debit card or through demand draft or direct cash deposit at an authorised bank.

Exam dates for IELTS General and IELTS Academic

Both the IELTS exams general and academic are conducted by the british council, cambridge and IDP IELTS India across major cities in India. Those who are in need of writing the exams can check out the official websites for the exam dates and can book the IELTS test on your convenient date with preferred location.

IELTS exam dates are available throughout the year according to your convenient dates. IELTS test dates are available up to 4 times a month which is 48 times across the year. The IELTS exam dates vary for the IELTS academic and IELTS general training exams.

IELTS exams are usually held on Thursdays and saturdays. IELTS test date may not be the same near your IELTS test location as it is in another city.

The IELTS reading, writing and listening test take place on the same day whereas either the IELTS speaking test is conducted 7 days before or 7 days after your IELTStest date. During the peak, tests can fill up one month in advance. So registering for the IELTS date early is a very important task.

Computer delivered IELTS test is available three times a day in all days a week. And a paper based IELTS test is available four times a month.

Steps to book IELTS exam date and location

1. Visit the british council official website and click on register.
2. Click on ‘Find Test Date’ and enter the month city and module of your choice.
3. You’ll be redirected to the IELTS application- check test availability page.
4. Candidates are required to select the convenient date and click apply. 

Conclusion

Hope that the detailed explanation for IELTS Academic vs General would have helped you to know the difference. Understand the difference and start your preparation at Kanan.co IELTS coaching in Chennai for your preferred test. Scoring high in the IELTS exam will make you achieve you goal.