IELTS General Training
IELTS General Training is taken for work, training and migration. Listening and Speaking are the same in both modules.
- Used for
- Work, training and migration
- Reading
- Everyday and workplace texts
- Writing Task 1
- A letter
- Fee
- Varies by country
Full mock tests
IELTS General Training Full Mock 1
General Training · Listening, Reading and Writing back to back (about 2 h 35 min), then Speaking
IELTS General Training Full Mock 2
General Training · Listening, Reading and Writing back to back (about 2 h 35 min), then Speaking
Practise one section
Who takes IELTS General Training
IELTS General Training is for people going to an English-speaking country for work, training below degree level, or migration. It tests the English you need in everyday life and at work.
Always check which module and which band your employer or visa authority asks for. Requirements differ between countries and change over time.
The test, section by section
All four sections take about 2 hours 45 minutes. Listening, Reading and Writing are taken on the same day with no breaks between them. Speaking is on the same day or within 7 days before or after.
| Section | Time | Questions | What is specific to General Training |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | About 30 minutes, plus 2 minutes to review on computer | 4 parts, 40 questions | Nothing: Listening is the same for both modules |
| Reading | 60 minutes | 3 sections, 40 questions | Section 1: 2 or 3 short everyday texts. Section 2: 2 workplace texts. Section 3: 1 long general-interest text |
| Writing | 60 minutes | 2 tasks | Task 1: a letter (formal, semi-formal or informal) of 150+ words. Task 2: an essay of 250+ words |
| Speaking | 11 to 14 minutes | 3 parts | Nothing: Speaking is the same for both modules |
How General Training differs from Academic
Listening and Speaking are identical in both modules. Only Reading and Writing change. See IELTS Academic for the other module.
| General Training | Academic | |
|---|---|---|
| Reading texts | Short everyday texts, 2 workplace texts, then 1 long general-interest text | 3 long academic-style texts |
| Writing Task 1 | Write a letter (formal, semi-formal or informal) | Describe visual information (graph, table, chart, diagram, process or map) |
| Writing Task 2 | Essay of 250+ words | Essay of 250+ words |
| Reading raw score for band 6 (approximate) | About 30 out of 40 | About 23 out of 40 |
The General Training texts are easier to read, so its Reading scale is stricter: you need more correct answers for the same band. The raw-score figures are approximate and vary between test versions.
Ways to take it
IELTS announced on 5 March 2026 that paper-based IELTS is being withdrawn from mid-2026, with dates that vary by country, so most test centres now run IELTS on computer. There are now three ways to sit the test:
| Mode | How it works | Results |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS on Computer | At a test centre. Listening, Reading and Writing on a computer, Speaking face to face with an examiner. | 1 to 5 days |
| Writing on Paper | At a test centre, in selected countries. Listening and Reading on a computer, Writing by hand, Speaking face to face. Not offered for IELTS for UKVI. | Up to 5 days |
| IELTS Online | At home, with Speaking by video call. Academic only, in selected countries, and not accepted for immigration. | Selected countries only |
IELTS Online is not offered for General Training, so General Training is always taken at a test centre. If one section lets you down, One Skill Retake lets you resit that section once, within 60 days, in the same mode as your original test (for a separate fee).
For a UK visa you may need IELTS for UKVI, which has the same content as Academic and General Training but is taken only at UKVI-approved centres (usually at a slightly higher fee). From 8 January 2026 some UK visa routes need English at CEFR B2, which means IELTS for UKVI 5.5 in each of the four skills.
Scoring
Each section gets a band from 0 to 9, in whole or half bands. Your overall band is the average of the four, rounded: an average ending in .25 rounds up to .5, and one ending in .75 rounds up to the next whole band. The full band table is on the IELTS exam page.
| Band | Correct answers |
|---|---|
| 4 | 15 |
| 5 | 23 |
| 6 | 30 |
Frequently asked questions
Is IELTS General Training easier than Academic?
The Reading texts are more everyday and Writing Task 1 is a letter, but the Reading scale is stricter: you need about 30 correct answers for band 6, against about 23 in Academic. Neither module is simply easier.
Which IELTS do I need for Canada PR?
Immigration authorities set their own rules on which test and which scores they accept. Check the current requirement on the official immigration website before you book.
Can I take IELTS General Training online?
No. IELTS Online is offered for Academic only. General Training is taken at a test centre, either fully on computer or with Writing on Paper.
What kind of letter do I write in General Training Task 1?
A letter of at least 150 words responding to a situation, covering the points you are given. It can be formal, semi-formal or informal depending on who you are writing to. See the General Training Writing guide.
Do I need IELTS for UKVI for a UK visa?
For many UK visa routes, yes. IELTS for UKVI has the same content as General Training and Academic but is taken at UKVI-approved centres. From 8 January 2026 some routes need CEFR B2, which is IELTS for UKVI 5.5 in each skill.
How much does IELTS General Training cost?
The fee is set in each country and paid in local currency, and IELTS for UKVI usually costs a little more. Check the current fee with your local test centre or on ielts.org before booking.