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 all is covered in this post?
So, if you are also confused like others then this blog will provide you with all the information you need to help you better understand IELTS Academic Vs General Tests.
What is academic and general training in IELTS?
The IELTS exam is available to candidates in two options.
IELTS Academic 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.
While, on the other hand, IELTS General Training 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.
Difference between academic and general IELTS
In this section, we have tabulated the IELTS general vs Academic test comparison.
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. It is also commonly required for professional registration in certain fields, such as medicine or nursing. While 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 listening and speaking sections also include academic-style content, such as lectures and discussions. On the other hand, 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 typically accepted by universities as proof of English language proficiency. Similarly, the IELTS General test is not typically 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. 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.
Which IELTS test is suitable for Indian students?
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: the Academic test and the General 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.
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 and IELTS General 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 General vs. Academic?
It is not accurate to say that one version of the IELTS test is “easier” than the other. As 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
Epilogue
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 2022
- Study in UK without IELTS
- TOEFL vs. IELTS 2022: What’s the Difference Between These Two Testing Systems?
- IELTS Syllabus 2022
- Exams to Study Abroad
- IELTS Preparation: Your Handy Reference Guide
- Study in Lithuania
IELTS Academic Vs General Tests: FAQs
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, while the IELTS General test is geared towards people who are planning to work or immigrate to an English-speaking country.
You should take the IELTS Academic test if you are planning to study at the undergraduate or postgraduate level at a university, or if you need to provide proof of English language proficiency for professional registration in a specific field. You should take the IELTS General test if you are planning to work or immigrate to an English-speaking country.
Both tests are scored on a scale of 0 to 9, with the score 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.
Yes, you can retake the IELTS test as many times as you like.
Yes, there are many resources available to help you prepare for the IELTS test, including books, online courses, and practice tests.
Anushree has 4+ years of experience in the career counseling industry as a Content Writer. She has also worked as a Social Media Marketing Expert for a startup and Content Quality Analyst for 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.
