First of all, let us understand who appears for GT and Academics. Test takers who wish to settle in abroad, choose to appear for IELTS GT while, the ones who want to study in Abroad opt for IELTS ACADEMICS.
Let’s understand the pattern of both the tests
ACADEMICS
Listening: 4 sections; total count of questions is 40 and marking is based on band system and is between 0 and 9
Reading: 3 long passages; total questions are 40 and marking is based on band system and is between 0 and 9
Writing: 2 tasks (task1-report writing; task2-essay writing). Bands are between 0 and 9 and based on different criteria:
1. TA- task achievement (task1) and TR-task response (task2)
2. CC- coherence and cohesion
3. LR- lexical resources
4. GRA- grammatical range and accuracy)
Speaking: 3 rounds (general introduction, cue card, follow-ups)
GENERAL TRAINING:
Listening: 4 sections; total count of questions is 40 and marking is based on band system and is between 0 and 9
Reading: 3 sections (section1 and 2 are further divided into two sub-parts: part A and part B and section3 is long passage); total questions are 40 and marking is based on band system and is between 0 and 9
Writing: 2 tasks (task1-letter writing; task2-essay writing). Bands are between 0 and 9 and based on different criteria:
1. TA- task achievement (task1) and TR-task response (task2)
2. CC- coherence and cohesion
3. LR- lexical resources
4. GRA- grammatical range and accuracy
Speaking: 3 rounds (general introduction, cue card, follow-ups)
SIMILARITIES IN BOTH TESTS
1. Both the tests are marked on same scale based on band criteria(0-9)
2. Listening and Speaking are same for both the tests
3. Both the tests can be computer-delivered or pen-paper based depending upon personal choice
DIFFERENCE IN BOTH TESTS
- The basic difference is between reading module as for academics; reading consists of 3 long passages while, for general training; reading consists of 3 sections and section 1 and 2 further divided into sub-sections that are easy to solve
- Writing task1 is different as it is report writing for academics and letter for general training.
- General training is for work permit and for purpose of permanent residency while, academic is chosen for study purpose
CONCLUSION
Coming to the question: which test is easier: it can be said, general training exam is easier as compared to academics due to difference in reading as academics has long passages which test takers find difficult to solve.