You have a choice of two versions of IELTS: Academic or General Training.

Everybody takes the same Listening and Speaking components. It is the Reading and Writing components that differ.

You will take the Listening, Reading and Writing tests all on the same day one after the other, with no breaks in between them. Your Speaking test will either be after a break on the same day as the other three tests, or up to seven days before or after that. This will depend on your test center.

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IELTS Academic
The Academic version includes three long texts which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. The texts are authentic and are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. These have been selected for a non-specialist audience but are appropriate for candidates entering university courses or seeking professional registration.

IELTS General Training

The General Training version requires candidates to read extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English speaking environment.

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