The Reading and Writing tasks in Academic use more formal, academic language, so many students find it more demanding. General Training Reading, however, needs a higher raw score for the same band.
IELTS Academic vs General Training
IELTS has two versions. Choosing the right one matters because institutions require a specific version. The Listening and Speaking modules are the same in both; only Reading and Writing differ.
Who takes each version
- IELTS Academic — university/college admission (undergraduate & postgraduate) and professional registration (e.g. doctors, nurses, engineers).
- IELTS General Training — migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK, work experience, training programmes and secondary school.
Module-by-module comparison
| Module | Academic | General Training |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | Same for both — 4 sections, 40 questions, 30 minutes | Same for both — 4 sections, 40 questions, 30 minutes |
| Reading | 3 long academic passages from books, journals and newspapers | Everyday texts: notices, advertisements, workplace documents and one longer passage |
| Writing | Task 1: describe a graph, chart, table, map or process. Task 2: essay. | Task 1: write a letter (formal, semi-formal or informal). Task 2: essay. |
| Speaking | Same for both — 3 parts, 11–14 minutes, face-to-face | Same for both — 3 parts, 11–14 minutes, face-to-face |
| Best for | University, professional registration | Migration, work, training, school |
Scoring difference to remember
Both are scored on the same 9-band scale, but General Training Reading requires more correct answers for the same band because its texts are easier. Check the exact requirement of your university or immigration authority before you book. If in doubt, most university applicants need Academic; most PR/work-visa applicants need General Training.
Usually no. Universities almost always require IELTS Academic. Always confirm with the institution.
Yes, both versions have the same fee. See current pricing on our IELTS exam fee in Bangladesh page.
Still unsure which IELTS to take?
Tell us your goal (study, work or migration) on WhatsApp and we’ll confirm exactly which version — Academic or General Training — you need.