If you plan to study in higher education or seek professional registration in an English-speaking country, you might need to take an IELTS Academic.
IELTS Academic assesses your English-language proficiency at an academic level to determine whether you are ready to study at an undergraduate or post graduate level, or work in a professional setting, such as doctor, nurse, teacher or lawyer.
The Academic test looks at your English-language proficiency across the four skillsets, listening, reading, writing and speaking. The Listening and Speaking parts of the test are the same for both Academic and General Training, while the Reading and Writing parts are different.
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.
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.
Find out the differences between IELTS Academic and General Training so you can choose which one is best for you.