Before you book anything, you must choose the correct version of IELTS. Pick the wrong one and your score may not be accepted, so let's get this right in a few minutes. The good news: the two versions overlap far more than they differ, so almost nothing you learn will be wasted.
The two versions
- IELTS Academic - for studying at university or for professional registration (for example, doctors and nurses).
- IELTS General Training - for migration to English-speaking countries, secondary school, work experience, or training programmes.
If you are unsure, check the exact requirement of the university, employer, or immigration authority you are applying to. They will state which one they accept. When in doubt, ask them directly - never guess.
What is identical in both
This is the reassuring part: Listening and Speaking are exactly the same in both versions. Same recordings, same format, same interview. So roughly half your preparation counts no matter which version you take.
What is different: Reading
- Academic Reading uses three long texts from books, journals, and newspapers - the kind of writing you'd meet at university. The language is more formal and the topics more abstract.
- General Training Reading uses everyday texts: notices, advertisements, workplace documents, and one longer general-interest passage. The language is more practical.
Both have 40 questions and the same question types (matching, true/false/not given, completion, and so on), so the skills you practise transfer well.
What is different: Writing
This is where the gap is widest. Both versions have a Task 1 and a Task 2.
- Task 2 is almost identical in both: a formal essay of at least 250 words responding to an argument or problem.
- Task 1 is completely different:
- Academic Task 1 asks you to describe a chart, graph, table, map, or process in at least 150 words. - General Training Task 1 asks you to write a letter of at least 150 words.
Worked example 1: the same situation, two different Task 1s
Picture the topic "a hotel stay". See how each version turns it into a completely different task:
- Academic Task 1: "The chart below shows how guests rated four hotels on cleanliness, service and price in 2023. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features." → You describe data: "Hotel A scored highest for cleanliness, whereas Hotel D was rated best value…"
- General Training Task 1: "You recently stayed at a hotel and were unhappy with the service. Write a letter to the manager." → You write a letter: "Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with my recent stay…"
Same subject, utterly different output. This is exactly why practising the wrong one is so costly.
Worked example 2: spotting which Task 2 essay you're reading
Task 2 is shared, so an essay question looks the same in both versions. Compare two prompts - they are interchangeable:
- "Some people believe that public transport should be free. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"
- "In many cities, traffic is a serious problem. What are the causes, and what solutions can you suggest?"
Both could appear on either version. Both want a 250-word essay with a clear position, developed paragraphs and examples. So every minute you spend on essay technique counts no matter which test you sit - only your Task 1 practice needs to match your version.
Common beginner mistakes
- Practising the wrong Task 1. This is the most expensive mistake - describing a graph when your test wants a letter wastes weeks. Confirm your version first.
- Assuming "Academic" means "harder". They are scored on the same band scale; one is not worth more than the other. Choose by purpose, not difficulty.
- Forgetting Task 2 is shared. Whatever version you take, essay practice is never wasted.
- Booking before checking. Always confirm the version your institution accepts before you pay - switching later can mean re-booking.
Try it
Write one sentence stating which version you need (Academic or General Training) and why - the specific reason, such as "for a UK student visa" or "to study a master's degree". If you can't finish the sentence confidently, that's your signal to check the official requirement today before you go any further at **/ielts/learn**.
Finished reading?
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