Should I Choose Academic or General IELTS?

MÜGE ÇİĞDEM
Jan 22
2 min read

When preparing for IELTS, the most important first decision is whether to take Academic or General Training. Although the exam format looks similar, the content, target audience, and purpose are different. Choosing the right type can shorten your preparation time and make it easier to reach your target band score.

What Is Academic IELTS? Who Is It For?

Academic IELTS measures English use in a university or academic environment. It is usually required for:

Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD applications abroad
Academic programs, research, and university proficiency requirements
In some countries, professional registration or equivalency processes (depends on the institution)

Academic IELTS includes more academic language and structure—especially in Reading and Writing.

What Is General IELTS? Who Is It For?

General Training IELTS measures English for everyday life, work, and social communication. It is commonly used for:

Immigration / visa applications (depending on country/program requirements)
Some work permit processes
Adapting to daily life and workplace communication abroad

In General IELTS, Writing Task 1 and Reading are more focused on practical, real-life contexts.

Key Differences Between Academic and General IELTS

Listening and Speaking are the same in both types. The differences are in Reading and Writing.

1) Reading difference

Academic Reading: Longer, more academic texts; language may be more analytical and argument-based.
General Reading: Practical texts such as notices, workplace documents, emails, ads, and informational materials.

2) Writing difference

Academic Writing Task 1: Report visual data (charts, tables, processes, maps)—using data/report language.
General Writing Task 1: Write a letter/email (request, complaint, explanation, asking for information, etc.).
Task 2: Both require an essay. The approach is similar, but Academic often expects a slightly more formal tone.

Quick Decision Guide: Which One Should I Choose?

For most candidates, this is enough:

I’m applying to a university → Academic IELTS
Immigration / daily life / work purposes → usually General IELTS
Not sure → check the official requirement of your institution/country(Different organizations may require different IELTS types.)

The safest method: Look at the official requirements of your target school/institution and confirm whether it says “IELTS Academic” or “IELTS General Training.”

A Common Mistake

The most common mistake is choosing based on the idea:“Academic is harder, General is easier.”

In reality, “easy vs. hard” depends on the person. What matters is:

choosing the test type that matches your goal
preparing with the correct techniques for that type

If you choose the wrong IELTS type, your score may not be accepted—even if it’s high.

Mini Tip for Setting a Score Goal

Institutions often state a minimum band score (e.g., Overall 6.5).But they may also require minimum section scores (e.g., Writing 6.0).

So it’s better to set goals not as one number, but as section-based targets.

Conclusion

In summary:

Academic IELTS is for academic study goals.
General IELTS is for immigration/work/daily-life goals.
Don’t focus on “which is easier”—focus on which one is required.

If you’re unsure which IELTS type fits your goal, we can clarify the right choice and build a preparation plan based on your target country/school/program.