What is IELTS General Training?
The IELTS General Training test is designed for people who need to use English for work, training, migration or everyday life in an English-speaking environment. It is accepted by organisations, employers and governments around the world.
IELTS General Training assesses your ability to communicate in English in practical, everyday situations. The test has four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
If you are taking IELTS for university or higher education, you may need the IELTS Academic test instead. Check which test you need before you start preparing.
IELTS General Training test format
The IELTS General Training test assesses your English in four skills:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
Each skill is scored from Band 0 to Band 9, and you also receive an overall band score based on your results in all four skills.
🎧 Listening
4 parts | 40 questions | about 30 minutes
You listen to four recordings, including conversations and monologues, and answer 40 questions.
→ Learn more about IELTS Listening
📖 Reading
3 sections | 40 questions | 60 minutes
The General Training Reading test includes texts from everyday life, work and general interest, with a range of question types to test your reading skills.
→ Learn more about General Training Reading
✍️ Writing
Task 1: letter | at least 150 words
Task 2: essay | at least 250 words
In General Training Writing Task 1, you write a letter or email in response to a given situation. Task 2 is an essay in which you respond to a point of view, argument or problem.
→ Learn more about GT Writing Task 1
→ Learn more about GT Writing Task 2
🗣️ Speaking
3 parts | 11 to 14 minutes
The Speaking test is the same for Academic and General Training IELTS. You have a face-to-face conversation with an examiner, including questions about familiar topics, a short individual talk and a two-way discussion.
How is IELTS scored?
You receive a band score from 0 to 9 for each of the four skills. Your overall band score is calculated from the average of your four individual scores.
Your score can be reported as a whole band or a half band, such as 6.0, 6.5 or 7.0.
For example, if your scores are:
- Listening: 7.0
- Reading: 6.5
- Writing: 6.0
- Speaking: 7.0
your overall band score is 6.5.
The score you need depends on why you are taking IELTS and the organisation or visa route you are applying for, so check the requirements for your particular situation.
What score do you need?
There is no single pass mark for IELTS. The score you need depends on why you are taking the test and the requirements of the organisation, employer, university or immigration authority you are applying to.
If you are taking IELTS for work, migration or a visa, check the current requirements for your particular route before you book your test.
How should you prepare?
The best way to prepare for IELTS is to understand the test, identify your weaknesses and practise regularly. Don’t just keep doing full practice tests. Use your results to find out what you need to improve, then work on those skills.
I’ve created free lessons for all four IELTS skills, including explanations, strategies, practice activities and model answers.
Start with the skill you need to improve most:
- General Training Reading
- General Training Writing Task 1
- General Training Writing Task 2
- IELTS Listening
- IELTS Speaking
Not sure where to start? Follow my 28-day IELTS General Training study plan for a simple day-by-day route through the free resources.
Frequently asked questions about IELTS General Training
What is the IELTS General Training test?
IELTS General Training is designed for people who need to use English in work, migration or everyday situations. It assesses your Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking skills.
What is the difference between IELTS Academic and General Training?
The Listening and Speaking tests are the same in both versions. The Reading and Writing tests are different. Academic IELTS is generally used for higher education and professional registration, while General Training IELTS is commonly used for work, migration and other non-academic purposes.
How long is the IELTS General Training test?
The four tests take approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes in total. Listening, Reading and Writing are normally completed on the same day, while the Speaking test may take place on a different day depending on the test centre.
How is IELTS General Training scored?
Each of the four skills is scored from Band 0 to Band 9. You receive a band score for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, as well as an overall band score calculated from your results in all four skills.
Is IELTS General Training easier than Academic?
Neither test is officially considered easier than the other. The Reading and Writing tests are different because they are designed for different purposes. General Training Reading includes texts you might encounter in everyday life and the workplace, while General Training Writing Task 1 is a letter or email.
What band score do I need for IELTS General Training?
The required score depends on why you are taking the test and who requires your results. Requirements can vary for immigration, employment, professional registration and other purposes. Always check the specific score requirements for your application.
Do I need IELTS Academic or General Training?
This depends on your purpose. If you are applying to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you will usually need IELTS Academic. If you need IELTS for work, migration or another non-academic purpose, you may need General Training. Always check the requirements of the organisation or immigration authority you are applying to.
Should I take IELTS on paper or on computer?
IELTS is moving to computer-based testing, although availability varies by country. The test questions, format, timing and scoring are the same whether you take IELTS on paper or on computer. The main difference is how you enter your answers.
If you prefer handwriting, Writing on Paper is being introduced in selected countries. You take Listening and Reading on computer, but complete the Writing test by hand.
If you are comfortable typing, the computer-based test may be a good choice because results are available more quickly, usually within a few days.
Check with the organisation you are applying to before booking an online test, and check which options are available in your location.
Can I take IELTS General Training online?
IELTS Online is currently (August 2026) available for Academic IELTS only. If you need General Training, you must check the available test options in your location and whether you need a test at an official centre.
About Fiona
Fiona is an IELTS trainer, ex-examiner and course creator based in the UK. She has a Master’s in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Distinction) and over 35 years of teaching experience. She has helped thousands of IELTS candidates develop the language and exam skills needed to achieve their target scores.
