IELTS Academic Vs General Test

IELTS Academic test is not used for immigration purposes.

• IELTS Academic is for those who want to apply for higher education in universities, institutions.
• The IELTS  Academic band score can also be used for those looking to pursue professional registration such as medical doctors and nurses in any English-speaking country.

IELTS General Training is for those who wish to emigrate or want to apply for secondary education, training programme and work experience in an English-speaking country.

The standard abbreviation of IELTS is The International English Language Testing System, IELTS is jointly owned and managed by the British Council, Cambridge English Language Assessment and IDP Education Australia.

• It is a standardised test that measures the English language proficiency of non- native English language speakers who want to study or work where English is the language of communication.

• IELTS is required for study, work migration to the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US.

IELTS has two modules:

• IELTS Academic
• IELTS General Training

The IELTS Academic exam: This exam is mandatory for any candidate that wishes to study at a university for UG or PG courses in an Englishspeaking country.

The IELTS General exam: This exam is mandatory for any candidate that wish to obtain a degree level or work or undergo training in an English speaking country.

IELTS test has four parts:

IELTS TEST FORMAT

It takes 2 hours 45 minutes to complete the test.

IELTS has a nine-band scale to identify levels of proficiency, half scores such as 7.5 are also possible. The score is valid for two years.

The Test Report Form will be available 13 days after you complete the test.

IELTS has two modules: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.

Both the tests assess your abilities in listening, reading, writing and speaking.  The subject matter of the test components differs depending on which test you want to take.

IELTS Academic – For those who want to apply for higher education in universities and other institutions or pursue professional registration such as medical doctors and nurses in an English-speaking country.

IELTS General Training –  For those who are planning to migrate or applying for secondary education, training programme and work experience in an English-speaking country.

If you are applying for UK Tier 2 Visas, you need to give IELTS UKVI test to gain entry in the UK.

• For Tier 2 (General) visa, you need to pass IELTS UKVI test with CEFR level B1 in reading, writing, speaking and listening and have an overall band score of 4.0 in each of the four skills.

• For Tier 2 Sportsman Visa, you need to pass IELTS life skills test with CEFR level A1 in Speaking and Listening and have an overall band score of 4.0 in IELTS for UKVI.

• For Tier 2 Ministry of Religion Visa, you need to pass IELTS UKVI test with CEFR level B2 in Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening and have an overall band score of 5.5 in each of the four skills.

Excellent command over English is recommended here as the kind of work undertaken will be officiating at religious ceremonies, preaching, religious teaching, welfare work for the Christian community or translating sacred scriptures.

If you are applying to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for Family, Spouse or Partner visa, you need to give IELTS Life Skills A1 test. The test involves Speaking and Listening. The test takes 16–18 minutes. You need to have an overall band score of 4.0 in  Speaking and Listening test.

IELTS Life Skills is assessed based on the criteria such as- obtaining information, conveying information, speaking to communicate, engage in discussion.

There is no break between speaking and listening test as both skills will be assessed at the same time.

Test results are available within seven days of your test.