If your child is preparing to study overseas in an English-speaking country, you will have probably heard about IELTS (International English Language Testing System). You will also have come across it if, as an adult, you are preparing to emigrate to an English-speaking country such as the UK or Canada. There are two forms of the test: General Training and Academic.

Both tests are composed of four parts: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. The Speaking and Listening sections are the same for both tests and are the shortest of the sections at 11-14 mins and 30 mins respectively. The Listening paper includes everyday and education-related topics discussed in conversations, and as monologues. Read more about the Speaking paper here.

But what is the difference between the General Training test, and the Academic test? And which one should you take?

 

Test: General Training

What does it assess?

Assesses your use of everyday, non-academic English for the workplace and for social situations.

Who should take it?

This test is mostly taken by students who need a good IELTS score to attend school in an English-speaking country e.g. a private school in the UK. It is also often taken by adults who require a recognised English qualification for emigration or work.

Required for?

• Study below degree level e.g. to attend a primary or secondary school in English
• Working or work-related training in an English-speaking country
• To emigrate to an English-speaking country
• Jobs that require a recognised proficiency in English

Reading 

Three sections with 40 questions in total. Reading passages are mostly from texts you may encounter in everyday life at work or in social situations, such as brochures, advertisements and newspapers. The questions assess skills such as: understanding main ideas; inference; and identifying purpose and attitudes.

Writing

There are two writing tasks.

Task 1 requires you to compose a letter to respond to a specific prompt. This may be formal or informal and assesses your ability to structure a response that provides facts, opinions, views and complaints as required.

Task 2 is an essay task. Essays are assessed on whether they outline a problem, present a solution, justify an opinion or evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument.

 

Test: Academic

What does it assess?

Assesses your academic English language proficiency to see if it is suitable for training or higher education study in English.

Who should take it?

This test is mostly taken by students preparing to study at university in an English-speaking country, particularly the UK, where it can be used to support a student visa.

Required for?

• Undergraduate or postgraduate study in an English-speaking country
• Applying for a Tier 4 visa (Student Route), needed to study at a UK university that is a Tier 4 visa sponsor
• Jobs that require a recognised proficiency in English

Reading

Three long texts with 40 questions in total. Passages can include excerpts from books, magazines or journals and cover subjects you might encounter during university study. The questions range in format and assess skills such as: reading for details; following arguments; inference; summarisation; and identifying opinions, attitudes, and purpose.

Writing

There are two writing tasks.

Task 1 presents you with a chart, graph or diagram, which you need to analyse and interpret then summarise in your own words. Good organisation is required for a high mark, and you must include an introduction, an overview and the main features supported by evidence from the image.

Task 2 is an essay task. You are presented with a point of view, argument or problem on a topic ranging from culture, to social issues, to the environment. The question asks you to address the subject in a specific way, such as: agree/disagree; discuss opposing views; explain the problem; or consider advantages and disadvantages.

 

i-Learner supports students and adults preparing for either the General Training or Academic IELTS. Our IELTS course covers all four papers and helps students get ready for success in just 12 lessons.