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Which test do I take?

Learn about the different IELTS test types and find out which IELTS test you need to take to achieve your work, study or migration goals.

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undefinedIELTS on Paper test
undefinedIELTS General Training test
undefinedIELTS General Training for UKVI
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undefinedIELTS Academic for UKVI
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 a General Training one, this decision is up to them. You will need to contact your specific organisation to learn more.
IELTS for UKVI, sometimes called SELT, is the same  as any other  IELTS  test, but with additional security  measures  required by the UK Government.
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is an international standard for describing language ability. It describes language ability on a  6-point scale, from A1 for beginners to as high as C2 for those who have mastered a language.
If  you  wish to migrate, study or work in the UK, you may be required to take the IELTS for UKVI test. Use the  UK Government visa check list  to find out whether you need to take an approved test and which level you need to achieve. 

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 are planning 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.

IELTS and IELTS for UKVI are exactly the same test in terms of format, content, scoring and level of difficulty. The only difference is an IELTS for UKVI test is approved by the UK Home Office for work, study and migration purposes.
If you take an IELTS for UKVI test, your test report form will be a little different to show that you have taken an IELTS for UKVI test at an approved IELTS test centre.
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 for a course may vary based on the institution or programme you want to apply for. If  you are  not sure which 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 which 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 pen.
In the IELTS Reading test for example, if the test is more difficult, the band score is adjusted. Also, it can depend on how familiar you are with the topics.

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