If you’re considering taking the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam, you may be wondering whether you should take the Academic or General test. Are you also looking for an answer on IELTS Academic vs General Tests? You are definitely on the right page!
Do you know?
IELTS is an exam that measures the English language proficiency of candidates who wish to study or work in countries where English is the main language of communication. It categorizes test takers on a nine-band scale, ranging from non-user (score 1) to expert (score 9). This helps accurately determine proficiency levels.
Both versions of the IELTS are internationally recognized and are used to evaluate a person’s English language proficiency. So, which test is right for you? If you are planning to study at the undergraduate or postgraduate level at a university where English is the primary language of instruction. Or if you need to provide proof of English language proficiency for professional registration in a specific field, you should take the IELTS Academic test. If you are planning to work or immigrate to an English-speaking country, you should take the IELTS General test.
Topics covered
What is the IELTS Academic vs General Test/Training?
The full form of IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. The exam is a globally recognized standardized test designed to assess the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers. It serves as a benchmark for individuals seeking to study, work, or migrate to English-speaking countries.
The exam evaluates candidates across four key language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. These skills are essential for effective communication in academic, professional, and everyday life contexts.
The IELTS exam is available to candidates in two options.
- IELTS Academic: It is designed for candidates who wish to apply for higher education or professional registration in countries where English is the main language of communication. The main purpose of the exam is to determine whether the candidate is ready to start teaching or learning English. Countries that widely accept IELTS for study include the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
- IELTS General Training: It is for aspirants who want to migrate to New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the USA, and the UK or apply for secondary education, training programs, and work experience in an English-speaking environment. The IELTS General Training test was designed to assess the candidate’s everyday, non-academic English proficiency. Countries use it for immigration purposes, focusing on the candidate’s basic survival skills in a wider social and work environment.
Both versions of the IELTS test, the Academic and General Training versions, are important in providing a valid and accurate assessment of candidates’ listening, reading, writing, and speaking language skills. Candidates should be well aware of this.
IELTS Academic vs General Test: Key Differences
You can only understand the fundamental concepts if you can comprehend the differences and similarities between both tests. In this section, we have tabulated the IELTS general vs Academic test comparison.
| Parameters of Comparison | IELTS Academic Test | General Training Test |
| Purpose | The IELTS Academic test is designed for people who are planning to study at the undergraduate or postgraduate level at a university where English is the primary language of instruction. | The IELTS General test is geared toward people who are planning to work or immigrate to an English-speaking country. |
| Content | The IELTS Academic test consists of four parts: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The reading and writing sections both focus on academic-style texts and tasks, such as summarizing information, analyzing data, and writing essays. | The IELTS General test also consists of four parts: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. However, the content of these sections is more general in nature, with a focus on everyday language and tasks. |
| Acceptance | The IELTS Academic test is generally accepted by universities as proof of English language proficiency. | The IELTS General test is not generally accepted by universities for this purpose. |
| Difficulty | Both versions of the IELTS test are challenging and require a high level of English language proficiency. | It is advisable to spend some time preparing for the test by practicing your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. |
| Score Comparison | Both versions of the IELTS test are scored on a scale of 0 to 9. The score is divided into four parts: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. | The overall score is the average of the scores for each part, with the exception of the speaking part, which is scored separately. |
Please note that the scores for the IELTS Academic and General tests are not directly comparable, as the tests are designed to evaluate different skills and are intended for different purposes. However, both tests use the same scoring scale and evaluate proficiency in the same four areas: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
IELTS Academic vs General Test: Which is Suitable?
If you are an Indian student and you are considering taking the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam, the test that is most suitable for you will depend on your specific goals and needs.
The IELTS test has two main versions:
- Academic Test
- General Test
IELTS Academic Test
The IELTS Academic test is designed for people who plan to study at the undergraduate or postgraduate level at a university where English is the primary language of instruction. It is also commonly required for professional registration in certain fields such as medicine or nursing. The IELTS General test is geared toward people who plan to work or immigrate to an English-speaking country.
IELTS General Test/Training
If you are planning to work or immigrate to an English-speaking country, you should take the IELTS General test. This test is not typically accepted by universities as proof of English language proficiency, but it may be required by employers or immigration authorities as part of the application process.
IELTS Academic vs General Test Fee for Indian Students
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a standardized international test that assesses the English language proficiency of non-native speakers. IDP Education conducts the IELTS test in India. IELTS is widely recognized by top-ranked universities and colleges around the world. For admission or immigration purposes, IELTS has become a common eligibility criterion.
The exam organizer recommends registration, cancellation, and postponement procedures for IELTS, which can be given several times throughout the year with no limit to the number of attempts. Applicants must follow the rules and guidelines to ensure that they receive maximum support regarding cancellations, rescheduling, and refunds for their IELTS exam fees. In India, the cost of IELTS Academic and General IELTS is the same at INR 15,500.
Which is Easier IELTS Academic or General Test?
It is not accurate to say that one version of the IELTS test is easier than the other. Both tests are designed to be challenging and to evaluate a high level of English language proficiency. Both tests consist of four parts: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
The main difference between the IELTS Academic and General tests is the focus on the reading, writing, listening, and speaking sections. The IELTS Academic test is geared towards people who plan to study at the undergraduate or postgraduate level at a university where English is the primary language of instruction. The IELTS General test is geared towards people who plan to work or immigrate to an English-speaking country.
Note: Find all essential details from www.ielts.org
Summing It Up!
The IELTS Academic and General tests are both internationally recognized evaluations of English language proficiency. The Academic test is geared towards people who are planning to study at the undergraduate or postgraduate level at a university where English is the primary language of instruction, while the General test is geared towards people who are planning to work or immigrate to an English-speaking country. Choose the test that best aligns with your goals and spend some time preparing to ensure that you are ready to succeed on test day.
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Useful Links
- IELTS Exam Pattern
- Study in UK without IELTS
- TOEFL vs. IELTS
- IELTS Syllabus
- Exams to Study Abroad
- IELTS Preparation: Your Handy Reference Guide
- Study in Lithuania
IELTS Academic Vs General Tests: FAQs
IELTS General is generally considered easier than IELTS Academic for many test-takers due to its focus on everyday language and tasks.
The main difference between IELTS General and Academic tests is their purpose: General assesses practical language skills, while Academic evaluates academic readiness.
Academic IELTS is usually considered slightly harder than General, primarily due to its inclusion of complex academic texts and tasks.
IELTS Academic is considered harder as it involves more complex reading and writing tasks, designed to assess readiness for academic study.
Scoring a 7 in IELTS General can be achievable with consistent preparation and practice, but individual performance may vary based on language proficiency.
Anushree has 5 years of experience in the career counseling industry as a Senior Content Writer. She has also worked as a Social Media Marketing Expert for a startup and Content Quality Analyst for the Publishing and E-learning Industry. She has done her Master’s in Commerce and PGDM in Finance & Trade and Marketing & HR, but she is currently following her passion for writing.
