If you’re planning to take the IELTS exam, one of the first questions you might ask is: “Which one is easier – IELTS General Training or IELTS Academic?” While both versions assess your English language proficiency, they are designed for different purposes and come with key differences in format, content, and expectations.
In this blog, we’ll break down the main distinctions between IELTS General Training (GT) and Academic, explore which one might be easier based on your goals and background, and help you decide which test is the right fit for you.
Which IELTS is Easier – General Training or Academic?
First, let’s understand who typically takes the IELTS General Training (GT) and Academic exams. Candidates aiming to migrate or settle abroad for work or permanent residency usually choose the IELTS General Training test. On the other hand, those planning to pursue higher education abroad opt for the IELTS Academic version.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the pattern of both tests:
IELTS Academics
1. Listening: 4 sections; total count of questions is 40, and marking is based on the band system and is between 0 and 9
2. Reading: 3 long passages; total questions are 40, and marking is based on the band system and is between 0 and 9
3. Writing: 2 tasks (task 1-report writing; task 2-essay writing). Bands are between 0 and 9 and are based on different criteria:
- TA- task achievement (task1) and TR-task response (task2)
- CC- coherence and cohesion
- LR- lexical resources
- GRA- grammatical range and accuracy)
4. Speaking: 3 rounds (general introduction, cue card, follow-ups)
IELTS General Training
1. Listening: 4 sections; total count of questions is 40, and marking is based on the band system and is between 0 and 9
2. Reading: 3 sections (section 1 and 2 are further divided into two sub-parts: part A and part B, and section 3 is a long passage); total questions are 40, and marking is based on the band system and is between 0 and 9
3. Writing: 2 tasks (task 1-letter writing; task 2-essay writing). Bands are between 0 and 9 and are based on different criteria:
- TA- task achievement (task1) and TR-task response (task2)
- CC- coherence and cohesion
- LR- lexical resources
- GRA- grammatical range and accuracy
4. Speaking: 3 rounds (general introduction, cue card, follow-ups)
Similarities in the IELTS General Test and the IELTS Academic Test
- Both tests are marked on the same scale based on band criteria(0-9)
- Listening and speaking are the same for both tests
- Both tests can be computer-delivered or pen-and-paper-based, depending on personal choice
Difference in the IELTS General Test and the IELTS Academic Test
The basic difference is between the reading module for academics; reading consists of 3 long passages, while, for general training, reading consists of 3 sections and sections 1 and 2 are further divided into sub-sections that are easy to solve
- Writing Task 1 differs in that it involves report writing for academics and a letter for general training.
- General training is for work permits and the purpose of permanent residency, while academic training is chosen for study purposes.
Conclusion
So, which IELTS test is easier?
Generally, the IELTS General Training test is considered easier than the Academic version, primarily due to the differences in the Reading section. The Academic test includes longer, more complex passages that many test takers find challenging to understand and complete within the time limit.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your purpose—migration or study—but from a difficulty perspective, General Training is usually the less demanding option.
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