The most crucial factor to take into account when deciding which IELTS exam to take is the reason you require an IELTS score.
So let's start by examining the various test iterations and which institutions demand which type.
Which IELTS? – The 3 Options
The IELTS exam is available in three formats: Academic, General Training, and the less popular Life Skills test.
Each was created with a specific objective in mind, and the majority of schools are clear about which version they prefer or demand from applicants.
IELTS is accepted as proof of English language proficiency by more than 10,000 organisations worldwide, including universities, professional associations, immigration offices, and multinational corporations. What IELTS test does each accept, though?
IELTS Academic
Universities and professional registration organisations demand IELTS Academic.
If you want to apply for a spot at a university or other higher education facility in an English-speaking nation or in a non-native English-speaking nation where courses are given in the English language, you must take the Academic test.
For both undergraduate and graduate education, the majority of academic institutions in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and throughout Europe demand an academic credential.
The TOEFL has historically been preferred in the USA over IELTS, however IELTS is now far more commonly accepted in American colleges, schools, and professional organisations.
IELTS General Training
2) Those seeking employment in or immigration to the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand should take the IELTS General Training exam. It is commonly used for,
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applications for employment and visas
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education through high school
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courses that are not academic, such as actual vocational training
The many institutions utilise the results of your test to help them determine whether you will be able to successfully study, work, or live in the nation to which you are applying.
IELTS Life Skills
The IELTS Life Skills test is often overlooked by those who are deciding which IELTS test to take. Indeed, having only been introduced in 2015, it is the most recent of the examinations.
It only evaluates speaking and listening abilities and is particularly created to suit UK immigration standards.
I emphasise academic and general training on this website. These are the exams this website has been designed to help you prepare for because they are the most common.