How IELTS Academic Differs from the IELTS General Training Exam

The IELTS exam has two test types: Academic and General Training. Before enrolling in an IELTS online course, it is crucial that you know which exam you are going to take.

Here’s how the two tests differ from each other.

Objective

The IELTS Academic exam is designed for people who are pursuing professional registration or higher education abroad. It assesses your English communication skills; not only in casual and professional contexts but academic settings as well.

Meanwhile, the IELTS General Training exam is designed for people who are pursuing secondary education, participating in training programs, or building up work experience abroad. It evaluates your English communication skills in social and workplace settings.

Still not sure which exam you should take? Consult your IELTS online review instructor before making your decision.

 

Format

Both the IELTS Academic and General Training exams are divided into four components: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. However, since the former focuses on language in the academic context and the latter focuses on everyday language, their contents differ in the reading and writing exam.

 

Reading Exam

• IELTS Academic Exam

Test takers must read three long texts that are lifted from books, magazines, journals, and newspapers. Topics are appropriate for individuals who are planning to obtain professional registration or study in the university.

• IELTS General Training Exam

Test takers must read lifted texts from books, magazines, newspapers, and other materials that they are likely to encounter regularly in an English-speaking environment.

 

Writing Exam

• IELTS Academic Exam

Test takers must accomplish two tasks: interpret a graph, chart, table or diagram and compose an essay in response to a given situation.

• IELTS General Training Exam

Test takers must accomplish two tasks: write a reply or request letter and compose an essay in response to a given situation.

Let your IELTS online course instructor know which exam you are taking so they can tailor their lectures to your needs.

The IELTS Academic and General Training exam are scored using the same criteria. Most IELTS online review teachers include the scoring system in their class orientations. Due to “attrition” or the phenomenon of second language loss over time, IELTS partners recommend results to be valid for two years.

 

Schedule

IELTS Academic and General Training test dates are the same in the Philippines. The exam dates only vary if you are taking the IELTS UKVI—the IELTS exam developed specifically for UK visa applications.

Need help booking your exam? Talk to your JRooz IELTS online review coach to find out the upcoming test dates in your area.

 

Score Acknowledgment

IELTS Academic test results are acknowledged by thousands of educational institutions and professional registration bodies around the world. IELTS General Training test results are among the requirements for migration to the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Take note that educational institutions, companies, and government bodies set their own IELTS requirements. So, check out your target organization’s admission requirements before choosing your IELTS test type. Knowing which test type is accepted by your target organization improves your IELTS online review experience.

Do you want to learn more about the two examinations? Enroll in a JRooz IELTS online review course today!

 

REFERENCES:

Abilmona, Jamal. “IELTS Academic VS IELTS General: What’s the Difference?” Blog E2Language. Accessed October 16, 2017. https://blog.e2language.com/ielts-academic-ielts-general-difference/

“Test Format in Detail.” IELTS. Accessed October 16, 2017. https://www.ielts.org/about-the-test/test-format-in-detail

“The Difference between Academic and General Training IELTS.” IELTS Help Now. Accessed October 16, 2017. http://www.ieltshelpnow.com/iqs/dbitemid.5/rp.1/sfa.view/blog.html

“Which Test Is Best for Me—IELTS Academic or General Training?” IELTS Essentials. Accessed October 16, 2017. https://www.ieltsessentials.com/global/testinformation/academicorgeneral

“Which IELTS Test Is Right for Me?” IELTS. Accessed October 16, 2017. https://www.ielts.org/about-the-test/two-types-of-ielts-test