IELTS Academic and General Training
1. Similarities
There exist two different types of IELTS tests. Some similarities are noted for these two types in terms of:
- Purpose:
Both types of IELTS tests are utilized to evaluate candidates’ English skills including Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
- Test Format:
With the same duration of nearly three hours in total, IELTS Academic and General Training both comprise:
- Listening: 4 sections – 40 questions – (approx.) 30 mins
- Reading: 3 passages – 40 questions – 60 mins
- Writing: 2 tasks – 60 mins
- Speaking: 3 parts – (approx.) 15 mins
Despite the same general feature, IELTS Academic and General Training still possess several differences.
2. IELTS Academic
2.1 Aims
IELTS Academic test targets candidates aiming to study or work in an English-speaking country. To be specific, it is suitable for higher education, employment, or professional registration purposes. As a result, IELTS Academic measures your English language proficiency used in the academic environment.
2.2. Format
- LISTENING:
The structure of the IELTS Listening Test is in the same form for both IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic.
| Time allotted | Number of questions | Main content | Questions types | |
| Section 1 | approx. 5 min | 10 | A daily-social conversation
(telephone call, interview, etc.) |
– Multiple choice questions
– Matching – Map, plan, diagram labelling – Note, form, table, summary, flow-chart completion – sentence completion – Short-answer questions |
| Section 2 | approx. 5 min | 10 | A daily-social monologue
(presentation, radio programme, etc.) |
|
| Section 3 | approx. 5 min | 10 | An academic conversation
(thesis / dissertation, assignment, research project, etc.) |
|
| Section 4 | approx. 5 min | 10 | An academic monologue/lecture
(history, science, nature, etc.) |
Table 1. IELTS Listening Test Format
- READING:
| Number of passages | Main content | Questions types |
| 3 passages:
– Passage 1 – Passage 2 – Passage 3 |
Texts are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers and usually related to topics like science, technology, tourism, psychology, health, environment, education, etc. | – Multiple choice
– Identifying information (True/False/Not given) – Identifying writer’s views/claims (Yes/No/Not given) – Matching information – Matching headings – Matching features – Matching sentence endings – Sentence completion – Summary/note/table/flow chart completion – Diagram label completion – Short-answer questions |
Table 2. IELTS Reading Academic Test Format
- WRITING:
| Writing Task 1 in
IELTS Academic |
Writing Task 2 in
IELTS Academic |
|
| Form | Report: line chart, bar chart, pie chart, table, map, process, etc. | – Types:
+ Argumentative / Opinion / Agree & Disagree + Advantages – Disadvantages + Discussion + Causes and Effects / Causes and Solutions / Problems and Solutions + Two-Part Questions – Topics: more common (social media, schools, family, communication, etc.) |
| Requirements | – The report must be formal in language
– The form of the report: + Introduction + Overview + Body paragraph 1 + Body paragraph 2 – The key features and data should be highlighted and compared |
– The style is more objective |
Table 3. IELTS Writing Academic Test Format
- SPEAKING:
The IELTS Speaking test takes about 15 minutes and is the same for both IELTS Academic and General Training. The test is a face-to-face interview and designed to evaluate your use of spoken English. Every test is recorded.
| Time allotted | Main content | |
| Part 1 | approx. 5 min | Introduction:
Several questions about yourself and familiar topics such as home, family, study, work, and interests |
| Part 2 | – 1 min: prepare & make notes
– 2 mins: talk |
Long turn:
A particular topic |
| Part 3 | approx. 5 min | Discussion:
Further questions related to the topic in Part 2 |
Table 4. IELTS Speaking Test Format
3. IELTS General Training
3.1. Aims
IELTS General Training, on the other hand, is considered a requirement for those who want to migrate or settle down or simply find a job in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Therefore, IELTS General Training measures your English language proficiency used in practical and daily contexts.
3.2. Format
- LISTENING:
The structure of the IELTS Listening Test is in the same form for both IELTS Academic and General Training. (see Table 1)
- READING:
| Number of passages | Main content | Questions types |
| Passage 1 | Daily life in English-speaking countries | – Multiple choice
– Identifying information (True/False/Not given) – Identifying writer’s views/claims (Yes/No/Not given) – Matching information – Matching headings – Matching features – Matching sentence endings – Sentence completion – Summary/note/table/flow chart completion – Diagram label completion – Short-answer questions |
| Passage 2 | Jobs, application procedures, etc | |
| Passage 3 | A general topic of interest
(The texts from 3 passages are taken from notices, advertisements, company handbooks, official documents, books and newspapers.) |
Table 5. IELTS Reading General Test Format
- WRITING:
| Writing Task 1 in
IELTS General Training |
Writing Task 2 in
IELTS General Training |
|
| Form | Letters: formal, informal and semi-formal | – Types:
+ Argumentative / Opinion / Agree & Disagree + Advantages – Disadvantages + Discussion + Causes and Effects / Causes and Solutions / Problems and Solutions + Two-Part Questions – Topics: more common (social media, schools, family, communication, etc.) |
| Requirements | – The letter can be formal, semi-formal, or informal
– The form of a letter: + Opening + Paragraphs + Closing statements |
– The style is more personal |
Table 6. IELTS Writing General Training Test Format
- SPEAKING:
The IELTS Speaking test takes about 15 minutes and is the same for both IELTS Academic and General Training. The test is a face-to-face interview and designed to evaluate your use of spoken English. Every test is recorded. (see Table 4)
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