Booking the wrong IELTS version is a common and expensive mistake. Here is how to choose.
Who needs IELTS Academic
IELTS Academic is for university study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, and for some professional registrations. If you are applying to a university, this is usually the one you need.
Who needs IELTS General Training
General Training is mainly used for work, training programs and migration. Some countries' migration programs specifically require it.
What is different
- Listening and Speaking are the same in both versions.
- Reading: Academic uses longer academic texts; General Training uses everyday and workplace texts.
- Writing Task 1: Academic asks you to describe a chart, graph or diagram; General Training asks you to write a letter.
- Writing Task 2 is an essay in both, though topics differ in style.
How scoring works
Both versions are scored on the same 0–9 band scale, in half bands. Your overall band is the average of the four sections, rounded to the nearest half band.
We coach for both versions. See our IELTS coaching page or take the free IELTS diagnostic.
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