Difference between General IELTS and Academic IELTS
Bhargavee Sisodia04 May 2024
IELTS is an English proficiency exam that stands for International English Language Testing System. It is one of the most used international standardized tests for non-native English speakers to check their proficiency in English. It helps an individual to migrate to an English-speaking country for better jobs, education, and other opportunities. Countries like the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand accept individuals from different countries with IELTS. The English proficiency test can be divided into General IELTS and Academic IELTS. Both of these IELTS variations serve the purpose of migration but have features that make them distinct. Academic IELTS is a test that evaluates your English proficiency in terms of an academic environment like school, college, university, etc.
The test checks if the student can match and comprehend the academic studies in a college/ university. Academic IELTS is filled with jargon, academic writings, and scientific methods & topics. On the other hand, General IELTS is a kind of test that marks the English proficiency of an individual in day-to-day life in an English-speaking country. This type of IELTS is given by an individual migrating for a job. This test aims to evaluate if you can smoothly handle your life in a foreign country. Confused by too much information? Wondering which IELTS test is best for me. Worry not, with this blog, we will take a deep into the different qualities of Academic IELTS as well as General IELTS and will understand what is right for you. So, let's get straight into it without taking much of your time.
Difference between Academic and General IELTS
Academic IELTS and General IELTS differ in only the reading and writing sections.
Difference between the Reading Section of Academic and General IELTS
The two types of reading tests differ mainly in the number of reading passages and topics along with a minor difference in the question type which isn't imperative. Differences in Reading Passage Numbers The number of reading passages remains the same in each IELTS Academic Reading test section.
- Section 1 contains one shorter article
- Section 2 contains one long article
- Section 3 too comprises one long article
Coming to the IELTS General Training Reading test, the number of reading passages varies in every section.
- Section 1 contains up to three small texts
- Section 2 has two texts
- Section 3 comprises a single lengthy text
Differences in Reading Passage Topics in Academic Reading: Texts are usually on subjects of general interests and hobbies. However, they are associated with a whole lot of educational topics, such as:
- Arts: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Music, and Crafts
- Astronomy
- Business, Economics, Marketing, Management
- Chemistry, Physics
- Culture and civilization
- Education
- Environment conservation
- History, Anthropology
- Inventors and inventions
- Language and linguistics
- Law
- Mathematics, Computer Science
- Medicine
- Psychology, sociology, and many more,
Topics in General Training Reading: In General Training, the topics vary as per each section.
This section contains up to three texts associated with daily life topics such as journeys, university brochures, lodging lists, protection procedures, categorized ads, newsletters, etc.
It contains two texts associated with professional training and work life, like job descriptions, policies, guidelines, manuals, etc.
This section contains one lengthy text based on general interests and hobbies, such as articles, book extracts, or texts on the environment, civilization, business, culture, history, people, transport, etc.
Differences in Types of Reading Questions
A total of 15 questions are similar in the IELTS Academic and General Tests. These 15 types are Sentence completion, Sentence completion with a box, Short answer questions, Notes/table/flow chart completion, Matching Classification, Labeling a diagram, Paragraph headings, Finding information in paragraphs, Summary completion, Summary completion with a box, True / False / Not Given, Yes / No / Not Given, a Multiple choice and Pick from a list. However, one type is added only to the academic test list, i.e., Global multiple-choice.
Difference between the Writing Section of Academic and General IELTS The major differences between Academic and General IELTS exams lie in the writing section. IELTS General Training and Academic have two writing assignments, both of which must be completed within 60 minutes. Let us now deep dive into the differences in the tasks of both exam types.
For Task 1, you have to describe the picture in your own words. This visual can be a line graph, pie chart, table, or map. You have to write 150-250 words in about 20 minutes explaining the visual. The 2nd Task requires you to write an essay containing perspectives, arguments, and problems relating to an academic issue that demands opinions. You have to summarize the essay in about 250-350 words in approximately 40 minutes.
- IELTS General Training Writing
For Task 1, you must write either a formal or an informal letter, such as requesting someone for information or explaining a situation. The word limit required for this answer is between 150-250 words. The 2nd Task of the General training exam also requires you to write an essay. But the topic of the essay is of general interest, including perspectives, arguments, or issues that need to be discussed. You have to summarize the essay in about 250-350 words in approximately 40 minutes. These are all the differences between Academic IELTS and General IELTS. For you to understand which IELTS will be best for you, it becomes essential to select the purpose of giving the test. General IELTS will be best for you if you want to migrate to a new country for professional purposes. However, if migration for higher studies is your goal, then Academic IELTS will suit you better.
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