1.2. Academic or General Training?
Work out which version of IELTS to book, and what changes between them.
The short version
Academic is for university.
General Training is for work and migration.
Listening and Speaking are the same on both.
Reading and Writing are different on each.
Which one do you need?
You do not choose freely. Your university, employer or visa office tells you which version to take. Check the exact words of that requirement before you book.
Choose the one that applies to you
For university, college, and some professional jobs.
For migration, work, and school in some countries.
What actually changes?
Both versions have the same four parts. Listening and Speaking are exactly the same on both. Reading and Writing use different texts and different tasks on each.
Side by side
Listening and Speaking. Same recordings, same interview, same questions.
Reading and Writing. Different texts to read, different things to write.
Quiz time3 questions
Three quick questions on the two versions.
For university
Choose the version.
Which version do you take for university?
The same parts
Choose the pair that does not change.
Which two parts are the same on both versions?
Who decides
Choose who tells you the version.
Who tells you which version to take?
Recap
Academic is for university. General Training is for work and migration.
Listening and Speaking are the same on both versions.
Reading and Writing are different on each.
The organisation asking for your score decides which one you take.
Next: what your score actually means, and how the four parts add up.