Types of IELTS Exam - IELTS Academic & IELTS General Training

IELTS Exam Type

IELTS is a prerequisite for admission to most schools and universities in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, and Europe. The test is given to non-native English speakers to gauge their level of proficiency in the English language.

IELTS Exam Type

There are two IELTS test options:

IELTS General Training - The IELTS General Training is intended for people who want to move to an English-speaking country, such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, or New Zealand. It covers institutions that only speak English. The IELTS General Training assesses standard language abilities used in social and professional settings.

IELTS Academic - When applying to graduate school or a professional program, students must take the IELTS Academic exam .

IELTS Course for General Training and Academic Tests

The IELTS Syllabus is largely the same for both test types, with a few exceptions. The primary goal of the IELTS is to evaluate a person's English language proficiency. The test is, therefore, comparable, but there are also some distinctions. The required level of English for university studies is higher than for individuals seeking employment abroad. Even working professionals like doctors, nurses, and those employed by emergency services are required to have an IELTS score higher than average. Therefore, the two test kinds' differences result from their application in various sectors .

Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking are the four components of the IELTS. Although the primary format of the test is the same for both academic and general assessment, the reading and writing sections are different. Given how critical reading and writing are to learning, it is crucial to test them at a higher level for pupils entering universities than those working. The academic test covers subjects that adhere to university academic norms. It makes it easier for universities and professional organizations to choose students according to their performance on the IELTS exam. The general training test, on the other hand, covers issues that are more general and may only sometimes have an academic undertone. Speaking and listening are the other two sections, and there isn't much difference. The general training and academic IELTS portions provide equal weight to a person's speaking and listening skills. Based on the type of test you'll take and your level of English proficiency, you should spend time on each component.

IELTS Exam Fee
Type of Test
Exam Fees (in INR)

Computer-based IELTS and Pen-Paper based IELTS
15,500

IELTS for UK visa and immigration
15,750

IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1)
14,600

Exam fees for General Training and Academics are the same. Both test-takers must pay the exact exam fees of INR 15,500. This charge covers the cost of the computer-based IELTS test and the additional fees listed in the table. Fees for the UKVI vary a little, and IELTS Life Skills exam costs are a little lower. Fees for computer-based and pen-and-paper IELTS are the same.

Which test should I take?

You should decide which test to take based on what you want to do. IELTS can assist you with several life decisions, including migrating abroad, landing your dream job, or enhancing your English language abilities. Therefore, check which one is appropriate for you before scheduling your test.

IELTS Academic

IELTS Academic evaluates your level of English language competence to see whether it is appropriate for an academic setting. It examines your readiness for training or study and includes elements of academic language.

Take this IELTS Academic test if you want to:

• Study at an undergraduate level or postgraduate level anywhere in the world
• Apply for a Student Route visa (Tier 4) at a university that is a Student route (Tier 4) Sponsor in the UK

IELTS General Training

IELTS General Training assesses English language competence in a real-world setting. The assessments and tasks replicate social and professional settings.

Take this test if you want to:

• Work or undertake work-related training in an English-speaking country
• Migrate to an English-speaking country