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You must be able to demonstrate a high level of English language proficiency if you want to work, live, or study in an English-speaking country. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an English language test designed to help you study, migrate, or work in a country where English is the native language.
How many types of IELTS tests are there?
Depending on your goals or purpose for moving abroad, you may choose to sit one of the following IELTS tests:
IELTS Academic test
IELTS General Training test
IELTS Test Types
IELTS has a number of different test types which you can choose from according to your intent.
IELTS Academic
If you plan to study in higher education or seek professional registration, you can take the IELTS Academic test.
IELTS General Training
If your goal is to study secondary education, work, or migrate to an English-speaking country, IELTS General Training test might be right for you.
Make sure to visit the relevant government or institutional websites to confirm which test you need to take, as government agencies, institutions, and other recognising organisations set their own IELTS entry requirements.
You can also prepare for IELTS with a Progress Check practice test, available for both the General Training and Academic tests. Take this official mock test and get an indicative band score, plus an official feedback report.
Ask IELTS
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.
If you plan to migrate to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK or the USA, taking an IELTS General Training test makes sense. Or if you plan on studying in secondary education, or enrolling in vocational training, this might still be the right choice.
But if you plan to study in higher education or want professional registration in an English-speaking country, you might need to take an IELTS Academic test.
The band score you need to study abroad is set by the institution to which you are applying and not by IELTS.
The score needed to apply to a course may vary based on the institution or course you want to apply for. If you are not sure what band score you need to apply for your desired course, check out our Who accepts IELTS page or double-check with the institution you wish to apply to.
The band score you need to migrate to a particular country varies. Check our Who accepts IELTS page to check what band score you need.
If you choose to take IELTS on computer, you will take the Listening, Reading and Writing test parts using a computer.
If you choose to take the IELTS on paper, you will complete the Listening, Reading and Writing test parts on paper.
The Speaking test for both paper and computer are face to face with an examiner. This is the best way to measure your speaking skills as it takes a more realistic approach: a life-like conversation with an examiner.
This depends on whether you take an IELTS on paper or IELTS on computer test. If you take IELTS on a computer, you type your writing, reading and listening answers using a keyboard. In an IELTS on paper test, your answers are written in pencil.
