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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between IELTS General and IELTS Academic?

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The main difference between IELTS General and IELTS Academic lies in the purpose and content of the tests. Here are the key differences:

  • Purpose: IELTS Academic is designed for students who wish to study at a university or college, while IELTS General Training is for people who want to live, work, or study in an English-speaking country for non-academic purposes.
  • Content: The IELTS Academic test contains topics suitable for anyone entering university or professional institutions, while the IELTS General Training test contains topics based on general interest. The Academic test is more focused on assessing a test taker's readiness and ability to use English as a medium of study, whereas the General Training test assesses a person's proficiency, confidence, and comfort when communicating in English in daily situations.
  • Writing and Reading Sections: The IELTS Writing and Reading tests are different in the Academic and General Training tests. The Academic test contains strictly formal writing styles, while the General Training test may have a more informal writing style.
  • Listening and Speaking Sections: The IELTS Listening and Speaking tests are the same, regardless of whether you choose the Academic or General Training test.

Before registering for the test, it is essential to check which one is right for you based on your intended use of the test score.

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  • What is the Difference Between IELTS General and IELTS Academic?
  • Comparative Table: IELTS General vs IELTS Academic

    • Comparative Table: IELTS General vs IELTS Academic

    The main differences between IELTS General and IELTS Academic tests lie in the Writing and Reading sections. Here is a table comparing the two:

    Section IELTS Academic IELTS General
    Writing Tests ability to write clear essays and analyses in English using academic vocabulary and science-related topics. Tests ability to write general interest topics, advertisements, and notices.
    Reading Contains topics suitable for anyone entering university or professional environments, with academic vocabulary and themes. Contains topics based on general interest, everyday situations, and non-academic English.

    Similarities between IELTS Academic and IELTS General include:

    • Both tests can be taken in paper-based or computer-based formats.
    • The Listening and Speaking sections are the same for both tests.
    • The purpose of both tests is to assess English language proficiency.

    IELTS Academic is generally required for university admissions, while IELTS General is designed for migration, work, or training purposes.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.