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IELTS Academic vs General Training

Take IELTS Academic to study at university or register as a professional. Take General Training to migrate, work, or study below degree level. Listening and Speaking are exactly the same in both. Only Reading and Writing are different. For Canada’s Express Entry, only General Training counts.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

What’s the same and what’s different

SectionAcademicGeneral Training
ListeningSame testSame test
SpeakingSame testSame test
ReadingThree long texts from books, journals and newspapersEveryday notices, workplace texts, then one longer text
Writing Task 1Describe a graph, chart, table or diagramWrite a letter
Writing Task 2An essay responding to a view, argument or problemA semi-formal or neutral essay on a general topic

Both take 2 hours 45 minutes and both are scored from 1 to 9.

Is General Training easier?

The texts are more everyday, but the scoring makes up for it. In Reading, General Training needs about 30 right answers out of 40 for band 6, where Academic needs about 23. So you can’t pick General Training to get a higher score with less work, and the organisation you’re applying to decides which one it accepts anyway.

Which one for your plans

If you’re not sure, ask the university, employer or visa office before you book.

  • University, undergraduate or postgraduate: Academic.
  • Professional registration, for example as a doctor or nurse: Academic.
  • Migrating to Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the UK: usually General Training. Canada’s Express Entry accepts General Training only.
  • Work, training or school below degree level: General Training.
  • A UK visa: IELTS for UKVI, in the Academic or General Training version your route asks for, or IELTS Life Skills.

Taking it at home

IELTS Online, the version you take at home, is Academic only. General Training has to be taken at a test centre.

Explore

Everything else, in one place

OverviewIELTSQuestions and pass markHow many questions are on IELTS, and what’s the pass mark?ScoringHow IELTS band scores workBook IELTSHow to book your IELTS test in the UKCostHow much does IELTS cost in the UK?What to bringWhat to bring to your IELTS testOnline testCan you take IELTS online?ResultsIELTS results: when they come out and how to check themWriting testIELTS Writing: Task 1 and Task 2Speaking testIELTS Speaking: the three parts and the cue cardListening testIELTS Listening: four parts, 40 questionsReading testIELTS Reading: Academic and General TrainingIELTS for CanadaIELTS for Canada: CLB levels and Express EntryTest dates and centresIELTS test dates and test centresLife Skills (A1, A2, B1)IELTS Life Skills: A1, A2 and B1One Skill RetakeIELTS One Skill Retake: resit just one sectionOfficial samplesOfficial IELTS sample test questionsPractice testIELTS practice testWhere to learnWhere to prepare for IELTSStudy plannerIELTS study planner
Sources: IELTS, IRCC and 3 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.