Should I go for IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training based on why I'm taking the test?
Choose IELTS Academic if you are applying to universities for higher education, since it tests skills needed for academic study. Choose IELTS General Training if your purpose is work, professional registration or immigration, as it focuses on everyday and workplace English instead.
Pick IELTS Academic if your goal is a university admission, since it is built around academic English skills. Choose IELTS General Training instead if you are testing for work, professional registration or immigration purposes.
Which Module Fits Your Purpose
| Purpose | Module to Choose |
|---|---|
| University admission | IELTS Academic |
| Work or professional registration | IELTS General Training |
| Immigration | IELTS General Training |
What Happens If You Pick the Wrong One
Selecting the wrong module is one of the more common registration errors, and universities or immigration authorities will not accept a mismatched score. Fixing this mistake after booking often means paying to register again.
My Advice
Before you book, confirm exactly which module your university or visa category requires rather than guessing based on what a friend took. If you are applying to multiple universities, check whether any of them specifically require Academic even if your main purpose is otherwise, since assumptions here can cost you both time and a second registration fee.
IELTS, PTE or Duolingo: which should you take?
Find out which test your universities accept, and which is easiest for you.
More IELTS questions
- Will I be able to pass the English proficiency exam given my concerns about language skills?
- What are the chances of getting a conditional offer letter requiring IELTS even if I have a good 12th standard score?
- Can I study in the UK without IELTS, and which universities accept other English tests?
- Would you suggest me to give IELTS first before starting the application process in Germany/Italy for a Master's?
- Do I need to score well in GRE, GMAT, or IELTS to get good scholarships in top business schools for a MBA?
- Is it possible to get an IELTS exemption if my transcript states that my medium of instruction was English?
- Will you help with the IELTS application process and provide guidance on the required documents and deposits?
- Do I need an IELTS scorecard for the APS certificate required for Germany university applications?