IELTS Academic vs IELTS General

IELTS Academic vs IELTS General

Edited By M Anusha | Updated on Aug 09, 2023 02:18 PM IST | #IELTS

IELTS Academic vs IELTS General - Candidates willing to take the IELTS test can get stuck in choosing the correct exam among IELTS Academic vs General. The IELTS, English language proficiency test has these two test types “Academic and General IELTS” where both tests serve different needs. The IELTS Academic is for students who are planning to study abroad for higher studies, whereas the IELTS General exam is for candidates who would like to pursue abroad secondary education or migrate to other countries. In the comparison of IELTS Academic vs General types of the IELTS exam, what are the similarities and difference between Academic and General IELTS in terms of format, syllabus, fee, purpose, and needs are discussed in the article.

Difference between Academic and General IELTS

Check the difference between the IELTS Academic vs General by understanding each in detail.

IELTS Academic - From the term Academic, it can easily referred to as the test which is for academic purposes only. Students who wish to study any undergraduate, postgraduate courses or to do any professional certifications and practices like medical practice, law practice, etc choose the IELTS Academic. The universities or institutions consider the IELTS exam to assess the candidate's English proficiency level. This is done in order to understand the candidate's proficiency to communicate in academic and general scenarios.

IELTS General - The term IELTS General refers to all general purposes. People who wish to settle in abroad countries Australia, Canada, the USA, and so many other countries attempt the IELTSGenearl to show their English proficiency certification. Similarly, candidates for abroad employment purposes attempt the IELTS General examination. The IELTS General test assesses the candidate's skills in both academic and general concepts.

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However, in comparison among IELTS Academic vs General the selection of the test can be done by candidates based on the acceptance of the universities, institutions, immigration authorities, and the companies, etc., they are applying.

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Comparison Overview of IELTS Academic vs General

Details

IELTS Academic

IELTS General

Purpose

Academic- Higher education

General-Secondary education, migration, work opportunities

Exam format

Modules - Listening, reading, writing, speaking sections

Modules - Listening, reading, writing, speaking sections

Exam duration

2 hr 45 mins

2 hrs 45 mins

Exam fee

$215-$310

$215-$310

Exam Type

IELTS

IELTS UKVI (Academic)

IELTS UKVI (General)

IELTS Lifeskills(A1, A2 and B1)

Exam Accepted by

Universities/Colleges, Companies

Companies, Visa authorities


IELTS Academic and General Difference in Format and Syllabus

While comparing the IELTS Academic vs General, both the tests have the same four sections namely listening, reading, writing, and speaking. In the IELTS format, IELTS General and Academic difference are between the reading and writing tests. Similarly, IELTS syllabus for both tests is also different for the reading and writing sections. Here the listening and speaking sections are same for both.

IELTS Academic vs General - Format & Syllabus

Sections

IELTS Academic

IELTS General

Reading Section Format

3 Reading Passages


3 Sections- 5 to 6 long or short texts

Reading Section Duration

60 min

60 min

Reading Section Sources

Books, journals, magazines and newspapers

notices, advertisements and timetables

Writing Section Format & Syllabus

2 Writing Tasks (1 writing task from Graphs, charts,diagrams & 1 Essay writing task)

2 Writing Tasks (1 Letter writing & 2 Essay writing)

Writing Section Duration

60 min

60 min

How to choose between IELTS Academic vs General?

Based on the Purpose or goal of the candidate are required to apply for the respective Academic and General IELTS. The respective authority to which the candidate is applying specifies the required test type and IELTS score cutoff in its detail.

IELTS Academic vs General - Purpose

IELTS Academic

IELTS General

Undergraduate Courses

Below degree level(school)

Postgraduate Courses

Migration

Doctorate degree

Employment/Jobs

Post Doctoral degrees

Permanent Residency(PR)

Professional organization/Institution

-

Which IELTS test type to prefer for Studying Abroad?

IELTS Academic vs General- Candidates, who would like to study abroad, must check with the university admission requirements. If the university mentions for IELTS test for admission, then the candidates can choose the IELTS Academic. Once admission confirms in the university, the candidate needs to apply for a study visa in that respective country. Most of the time, the same IELTS Academic score used for university admissions can be submitted for the study visa. However, it is important to note that the English proficiency specifications depend on the country's immigration requirements. So students need to cross-check and furnish the necessary.

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IELTS General vs Academic which is easy?

As the purpose of IELTS Academic is for students at the university level, the examination level is a bit difficult, cause it includes the academic concepts in the test. Whereas the IELTS General includes both general and academic concepts. Added to that IELTS general is for small children for schooling and for adults who would like to migrate or for work purposes, the testing standard is a bit easy as it involves the general concept in day-to-day life.

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Questions related to IELTS

Have a question related to IELTS ?

Hello,

One the most general tips for the preparation of both tests would be to go for a structured approach and understand the format of the tests respectively and work on improving grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation along with it take regular tests and reviews them. Both have 4 section, Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking, so all four must be kept in focus, and thus you must plan your time according to your needs and areas of improvement.

Now, for TOEFL, it's recommended to use resources from ETS, that is, official materials and tests.

For IELTS, it's recommended to use resources from IDP, British Council and Cambridge, that give you sample tests and questions.

Wishing an all the very best for the test.

Hello Student,

For the AMC (Australian Medical Council) exam , which assesses international medical graduates for practice in Australia, the IELTS requirement is generally a minimum overall score of 7.0 , with no individual band score below 7.0 (in Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking).

Alternatively, the AMC also accepts equivalent scores from OET, TOEFL iBT, and PTE Academic :

  • OET : A grade of B in all four components.
  • TOEFL iBT : A minimum overall score of 94, with minimum scores of 24 in Listening, 24 in Reading, 27 in Writing, and 23 in Speaking.
  • PTE Academic : A minimum overall score of 65, with a minimum score of 65 in each communicative skill.

Meeting these requirements is essential to proceed with the AMC’s application and registration processes.


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.


Hello

To be eligible for the Australian Medical Council (AMC) exams , candidates must demonstrate English .

AMC assessment process :

1. Accepted English Language Tests and Scores

IELTS ( International English Language Testing System ) :

Overall band score : 7.0 in each band ( listening , reading , writing and speaking ) .

PTE Academic ( Pearson Test of English Academic ) :

Overall score of 65 in each band ( listening , reading , writing and speaking ) .

2. Validity of Test Scores

The test results must be no older than two years at the time of submitting your AMC application .

3. Preparation Tips for IELTS

Practice regularly : Build your language skills across all four components .

Take practice exams : practice can help improve speed and accuracy .

professional coaching if needed , specially for writing and speaking , which are often the most challenging part .

Use official IELTS resources : Cambridge IELTS books , online mock tests and other reliable materials can give you an accurate rating  .

4. Application Tips

Ensure that your English test scores are valid and meet the minimum requirements before applying .

Keep a copy of your scores as they may need to be provided to both the AMC and registration authority in Australia .

Hope this helps you .

All the best

If you have completed a master's degree in the UK, you might still need to take the IELTS test to qualify for a Permanent Residency (PR) or Work Visa in Australia. While your degree from an English-speaking country like the UK may demonstrate your proficiency in English, Australian immigration authorities typically require a standardized English language test score, such as IELTS, to assess your language skills formally.

For better guidance, Invicta Institute can provide you with detailed information and assistance regarding the specific English language requirements for Australian PR or Work Visa applications. Invicta's experienced counselors can help you navigate the process and determine if your UK degree suffices or if you need to take the IELTS test.


Since you're currently in the first year of your Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com), planning ahead for your MBA abroad is a wise decision. The ideal time to take your IELTS exam is during your third year of B.Com. This timing ensures that your IELTS score, which is valid for two years, will still be valid when you apply for MBA programs.

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