Key takeaways
- Academic is usually for university study and some professional registration. General Training is usually for work experience, training and migration.
- Canada's Express Entry immigration route asks for the General Training test, while most universities ask for Academic. Always confirm with the organisation.
- Listening and Speaking are the same in both versions. Reading and Writing differ.
- Choose by what the organisation that will read your result requires, not by which version seems easier.
One of the most common IELTS questions is whether to book Academic or General Training. The answer is not about difficulty. It is about who will read your result. Choosing the wrong version means you may have to sit the test again, so check the requirement before you register.
The short answer
| You want to... | Usually take |
|---|---|
| Study at a university or college | Academic |
| Register with a professional body, for example in healthcare | Academic, but check the body |
| Migrate to Canada through Express Entry | General Training |
| Migrate to Australia, New Zealand or the UK | General Training for many routes, but check the specific visa |
| Do work experience or training below degree level | General Training |
| Study at a school or a foundation course | Often General Training, but check |
What is the same and what is different
- Listening: identical in both versions, four sections and 40 questions.
- Speaking: identical, an 11 to 14 minute interview in three parts.
- Reading: both have 40 questions in 60 minutes. Academic uses three longer, more complex passages. General Training uses shorter texts from everyday and workplace settings in three sections.
- Writing: Task 1 is a graph, table, map or process in Academic and a letter in General Training. Task 2 is an essay in both, though the topics differ in style.
How to be sure which one you need
- Open the website of the university, employer, immigration department or professional body and find its English language page.
- Look for the exact words: Academic, General Training or either.
- If it is unclear, email them and keep the reply.
- If you are applying to more than one place, check whether the results can serve all of them before you book.
Do not choose by difficulty
It is true that General Training reading passages are shorter and simpler, but band scores are converted differently and the requirement matters more. A General Training result will not be accepted by a university that asks for Academic, and the reverse can also be true. Choosing the easier version to save effort can cost you a second exam fee and several weeks.
How to prepare for each
- Academic: practise reading long passages with headings, and learn to describe data and write argument essays. Try our IELTS Reading practice tests and Task 1 data questions.
- General Training: practise skimming short notices and workplace texts, and learn the three letter styles. See our guide to General Training letter writing.
For country requirements, see our guides for Canada and the USA, and our explanation of band scores.
Frequently asked questions
Is IELTS General Training easier than Academic?
The Reading texts are usually simpler, but difficulty is the wrong reason to choose. Take the version your university, employer or immigration route requires.
Can I use an Academic result for immigration?
It depends on the route. Some immigration programmes require General Training specifically. Check the official requirement before booking.
Can I change my test type after booking?
Policies vary by test centre and may involve a fee. Check with the centre, and confirm the version before you pay.
Do the Listening and Speaking sections differ?
No. They are the same in both versions.