The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a standard exam that tests a person’s level of proficiency in the English language. The exam is developed to test English fluency in non-native English speakers. Several international students take up IELTS Academic, and the workplace population takes up IELTS General Training as educational institutions and companies around the globe recognise these test results as proof of English proficiency.
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Table of Contents
- Types of IELTS exams
- IELTS General Training
- IELTS General Training exam pattern and syllabus
- Frequently asked questions
Types of IELTS exams
There are two types of IELTS exams: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. These exams determine the candidate’s level of English proficiency by analysing their reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills. Understanding which exam suits you best is important, as both academic and general training exams serve different purposes.
While IELTS Academic suits international students, IELTS General Training is taken by people planning to work or migrate to an English-speaking country.
IELTS General Training
As mentioned above, the IELTS General Training exam is taken by people who want to migrate or establish a career in an English-speaking country. The exam tests your proficiency in the English language through fundamental skills such as reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
IELTS General Training exam is designed to analyse your English skills required to sustain in social and workplace environments.
Also read: IELTS preparation books
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IELTS General Training exam pattern and syllabus
The IELTS General exam is designed to assess the candidate’s fundamental skills in English to evaluate their proficiency level in the language. There are four sections in the IELTS General Training exam.
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
While the pattern for listening and speaking sections are the same in IELTS Academic and General Training format, the writing and reading sections differ.
Listening
No. of questions - 40
Duration - 30 minutes
The listening section of IELTS General Training exam consists of 40 questions divided into four parts. This section evaluates the candidate’s listening skills through various types of questions. Some of the common question types observed in this section are:
- Sentence completion
- Short answer questions
- Multiple choice questions
- Matching sentence endings
- Plan, map, or diagram labelling
- Form, note, table, flow-chart, or summary completion
Here are some formats of the questions you can expect during the IELTS General exam.
- A conversation between two people (For example, a discussion about weather or travel)
- A monologue (For example, a speech about a local region)
- A conversation between a group of people (For example, a discussion about a project between a professor and students)
- A monologue on an academic topic (For example, a lecture)
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Reading
No. of questions - 40
Duration - 60 minutes
The IELTS General Reading section consists of 40 questions divided into three parts. This section includes three long texts: workplace survival, social survival, and general reading. The texts are obtained from general magazines, books, and newspapers.
The Reading section analyses the candidate’s reading skills through these types of questions.
- Data interpretation
- Sentence completion
- Multiple choice questions
- Matching sentence endings
- Match the headings
- Short answer questions
- Identifying information and claims
Also read How to ace the IELTS reading section
Writing
No. of questions - 2
Duration - 60 minutes
The IELTS Writing section requires the candidate to write two descriptive essays of 200-250 words. The questions include.
IELTS General Writing Task 1 - A letter-writing task in personal, semi-formal, or formal format. You are usually required to write a letter explaining an issue or requesting a piece of information.
IELTS General Writing Task 2 - An essay in which you are required to convey your point of view for an argument or issue. Remember to make the tone of your writing a little personal.
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Speaking
No. of questions - 3
Duration - 11-14 minutes
The IELTS exam’s speaking section evaluates your speaking skills in English through a face-to-face interview. It is also considered the crucial part of the exam
| Speaking section task | Format |
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| Part 2 |
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Also read
- IELTS speaking test questions and topics
- Top 10 tips to score high on your IELTS speaking exam
- Complex Sentence for IELTS
Frequently asked questions
Is general training easier in IELTS?
While many say, IELTS General Training is easier than the IELTS Academic test, the difficulty of the exam depends on your preparation. The better you prepare, the easier the exam will be.
Who is eligible for IELTS general training?
There are no eligibility criteria set for the IELTS General training exam. Anyone who wants to migrate or start their career abroad can take IELTS General.
Can I get job with IELTS general?
You can get a job with the IELTS General Training exam. The test is mainly taken by people who want to migrate or start a career in an English-speaking country. IELTS General evaluates the candidate’s English proficiency with respect to a social and work environment.
Which is better IELTS Academic or General training?
The IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training exams determine the candidate’s level of English proficiency through four sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Understanding which exam suits you best is important, as both academic and general training exams serve different purposes.
While IELTS Academic is suitable for international students planning to pursue their education abroad, IELTS General Training is taken by people planning to work or migrate to an English-speaking country.
Can I skip IELTS for Canada PR?
You cannot skip IELTS or any other English language assessment to obtain Canada PR. IELTS is essential as it evaluates your level of proficiency in the English language and determines if you can study or work in an English-speaking country.
