IELTS Academic Vs IELTS GT
When you often visit the bookstore, or search online for IELTS tests, you get to know that there are two types:
IELTS Academic
IELTS GT (General Training)
What are these two test formats and what is the difference between IELTS Academic and General Training? Let’s clear the confusion. IELTS Academic is for aspiring students who need to study abroad at an English speaking country such as UK, Australia, USA, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand.
If you are planning to immigrate, (not enroll as a student), and/or have a job offer to work at any of the above English speaking countries, then you need to appear for the IELTS General.
Understanding the IELTS GT and Academic Test Format
- The Listening test is the same for GT and Academic versions, with no chances in test format, time allocated, and the band score criteria.
- The Reading test has variations in it. The preparation is no different for GT or Academic, and the question types are all 100% the same. However, the passage length and difficulty is slightly more for Academic. Moreover, the GT test requires slightly more marks for the same band score as for the Academic. For example, a 30 to 32 score in IELTS Academic Reading leads to a 7 band score, whereas the same score in IELTS General equates to a band 6 score.
- The Speaking test is the same for GT and Academic versions, and every candidate gets the exact same time, and test format, with no changes in the marking criteria.
- The Writing test has two questions for GT and Academic. The task 2 will be the same for both (i.e., writing an essay of no less than 250 words in Part 2). IELTS Academic will require a summary of a visual, such as a chart, graph, map or a process, whereas, for IELTS GT, you need to write a letter. In Part 1 of Academic and GT, you need to write no less than 150 words.
The IELTS Academic is tailored for students, with most of the questions coming out of the academic context. The GT has questions based on general interest.
To know more about the difference between IELTS Academic and General Training, use the links below:
Here are some links to know more:
Writing Task 2
