The official IELTS by IDP app is here! Download it today.
The General Training test looks at your English-language capabilities in a work or social environment. If you plan to study in secondary education, enroll in vocational training, move abroad for work or migrate to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK or the USA, you might need to take an IELTS General Training test.
The test assesses your English-language proficiency across four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. While the Listening and Speaking part of the IELTS General Training test are the same as the IELTS Academic test, the Reading and Writing parts differ.
Ask IELTS
If you take computer delivered IELTS you will do the tests in the following order on the same day: Listening, Reading and Writing, with the Speaking test before or after this test session. If you take Paper-based IELTS, you will do the tests in the following order: Listening, Reading and Writing.
Depending on the test centre, the Speaking test can be done on the same day, or up to 7 days either before or after the test date.
IELTS Academic and General Training are two wholly separate types of test, for two different purposes. While some individual organisations may accept an Academic result in the place of General Training, this decision is up to them. You will need to contact your specific organisation to learn more.
Read the assessment criteria used for both Academic and General Training Writing tests carefully before your test day. The examiner will assess your writing based on four criteria for Task 1 and Task 2.
Remember that Writing Task 2 is worth twice as many marks as Task 1. You can improve your Writing band score by practising. Our news and articles page has extensive tips and advice to help you prepare and improve your English-language skills.
As IELTS is an international test, a variety of voices and native-speaker accents are used in both the General Training and Academic tests.
Of course! Every test question that appears on the IELTS test is designed, screened and tested by Cambridge Assessment English (CAE) to ensure it meets standard requirements before being released as test material. This can take up to two years to ensure every question complies with our high standards for all test takers.
Our research ensures IELTS remains fair and unbiased for anyone who sits the test, regardless of nationality, background, gender or lifestyle. Our highly trusted team ensures every version of the test is of comparable difficulty.
IELTS test fees vary from country to country. The IELTS test fee is the same for both versions of the test (Academic and General Training).
Test fee is:
BDT 17,500 for IELTS
BDT 19,700 for IELTS for UKVI
BDT 13,100 for IELTS Life Skills
(subject to change without prior notice).
IELTS Academic or General Training: Which do you need?
Find out the differences between IELTS Academic and General Training so you can choose which one is best for you.
IELTS Speaking hears accents
IELTS Speaking examiners understand a variety of accents and can communicate effectively with you in a face-to-face conversation.
How is IELTS scored?
To help you work towards the IELTS score you need, watch this short video and find out how IELTS is scored in all four parts of the test.
Learn More
Featured news and articles
IELTS tests
Progress Check for IELTS General Training
Take an official mock test for IELTS General Training. Get a feedback report with indicative band scores marked by qualified IELTS markers.