Types of IELTS Exam 2024: Sections, Patterns & More

Depending on the purpose of moving abroad, candidates can appear for any of the following types of IELTS exams: IELTS Academic Test, IELTS General Training Test, IELTS for UKVI, and IELTS Life Skills (A1, A2, & B1). The most prominent ones are, however, IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.

In this article, we will discuss the types of IELTS exams in detail!

Candidates can choose from various types of IELTS tests based on their purpose of moving abroad:

1. IELTS Academic Test: Designed for students aiming to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate courses in English-speaking countries, this test assesses readiness for higher studies in English.
2. IELTS General Training Test: Tailored for individuals relocating to Canada, the UK, Australia, or New Zealand for secondary education or employment, this test evaluates basic survival skills in a workplace setting. Both tests comprise four sections: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.
3. IELTS for UKVI: Required for individuals planning to move to the UK, this test is approved by the UK government for visa and immigration purposes. It includes IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS for UKVI General Training, and IELTS Life Skills (A1, A2, and B1), focusing on English listening and speaking skills for UK visa requirements.

Candidates can also opt for two types of IELTS based on the mode of examination:

• Computer-based Test: Introduced in 2017, this test involves answering Reading, Listening, and Writing sections digitally, with results available within 5-7 days.
• Paper-based Test: Utilizing pencil and answer sheets, this traditional format requires completing task responses within the provided time. The Speaking section typically occurs 7 days before or after the main test, with results published within up to 13 days.

IELTS tests are accepted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as proof of English proficiency for people who want to live, work, or study in the UK.

IELTS for UKVI (United Kingdom Visa and Immigration) is specifically designed for individuals who need to demonstrate their English language proficiency for visa and immigration purposes to the UK. There are three types of IELTS tests available for UKVI:

1. IELTS for UKVI Academic: This test is suitable for individuals applying for higher education or professional registration in the UK. It assesses the English language skills needed for academic purposes, including listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
2. IELTS for UKVI General Training: This test is intended for those planning to migrate to the UK for work, secondary education, training programs, or immigration purposes. It evaluates English language proficiency in a general context, focusing on everyday communication skills and workplace scenarios.
3. IELTS Life Skills: IELTS Life Skills is a separate test designed to assess English speaking and listening skills at CEFR levels A1, A2, and B1. It is specifically for individuals applying for certain types of UK visas, such as family, spouse/partner, or indefinite leave to remain. This test is less academically oriented and focuses more on practical English communication abilities needed for everyday situations.

The main difference between the two tests lies in the Reading and Writing sections. The Academic test focuses on academic topics and requires a more formal writing style, while the General Training test uses more general topics and a slightly less formal writing style.

• Both tests evaluate all four language skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) in the same format.
• The Speaking and Listening sections are identical for both Academic and General Training tests.

Must Read: IELTS Academic vs General Tests – What’s the Difference?

The IELTS General Training test is designed for individuals who are planning to migrate to English-speaking countries such as Canada, the UK, Australia, or New Zealand for secondary education, work, or immigration purposes. Here is some information about the IELTS General Training test:

1. Test Format: The IELTS General Training test consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The test format is similar to the IELTS Academic test, but the Reading and Writing sections contain different tasks that are more focused on everyday situations and workplace communication.
2. Listening Section: The Listening section consists of four recorded monologues and conversations, which cover various everyday topics. Candidates listen to the recordings and answer questions based on what they hear. The recordings may include conversations in social contexts, workplace discussions, or general interactions.
3. Reading Section: The Reading section includes three passages of increasing difficulty, taken from notices, advertisements, newspapers, magazines, company handbooks, and guidelines. The passages are related to topics of general interest and may include descriptive, factual, or discursive texts. Candidates are required to answer multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blank tasks, and match headings to paragraphs.
4. Writing Section: The Writing section consists of two tasks. Task 1 requires candidates to write a letter, which may be formal, semi-formal, or informal, depending on the situation provided. Task 2 is an essay in response to a given prompt, which addresses a general topic of interest. Candidates are assessed on their ability to express ideas coherently and logically, as well as their command of English grammar and vocabulary.
5. Speaking Section: The Speaking section is a face-to-face interview with a certified IELTS examiner. It assesses the candidate’s spoken English proficiency and communication skills. The interview is divided into three parts: an introduction and interview, a short speech on a given topic, and a discussion related to the topic in Part 2.

Overall, the IELTS General Training test evaluates candidates’ ability to communicate effectively in English in everyday situations encountered in work, social, and academic environments.

Also Read:

• How to prepare for IELTS?
• IELTS Exam Syllabus 2024
• IELTS Exam Pattern 2024

How many types of IELTS are there?

There are two different IELTS tests: Academic and General Training. The Speaking and Listening sections are the same in both tests, but the Reading and Writing sections are different.

Which type of IELTS is better?

It is essential that the Examiner can read your handwriting. If the Examiner cannot read what you have written, it will impact your band score. So if your handwriting is difficult to read, IELTS on computer might be a better choice for you.

Which IELTS is best to take?

IELTS Academic could be the right test for you, whether you are planning to study at university or you’re applying for professional registration. If you’re a doctor and engineer or teacher in training, it assesses whether you are ready to begin studying or training in an environment where English is the language used.

Which IELTS is the hardest?

 The Academic test tends to be harder for more people because, to do well on it, a test-taker will need to have greater mastery of English and a broader working vocabulary compared to the General Training version.

How many attempts for IELTS?

There are no restrictions regarding the number of times you can apply for the IELTS examination. You are eligible to take the exam as many times as you want. So if you want to score better than you did, or if you missed your examination, you are eligible to register again.

How much does IELTS cost?

The IELTS registration fee for the Academic test is ₹17,000, applicable to both the pen and paper-based and computer-delivered versions. Similarly, the IELTS General Training test fee is also ₹17,000. For the UKVI (IELTS for UK Visa and Immigration) version of the exam, the fee is ₹17,250.

Which is the toughest section in IELTS?

While all four sections of IELTS pose unique challenges, many test-takers consider the writing section to be the most challenging due to the time limit and complexity of the tasks.

Is a Passport required for IELTS?

All candidates are required to bring their original valid Indian passport at the IELTS center on the test date, a copy of which was submitted during the IELTS registration process. Candidates who fail to bring their valid passports to the test center will be refused entry to the test.