IELTS General Training: Complete Guide to Format, Scoring, and Immigration

Originally published November 2020. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.

What Is IELTS General Training?

IELTS General Training (GT) is one of two versions of the IELTS test. It measures English language proficiency in a practical, everyday context. The test is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment.

General Training is the standard choice for candidates whose purpose is immigration, work visa applications, or enrolment in secondary education or training programmes. For university admission or professional registration, see IELTS Academic instead.

Who Should Take IELTS General Training?

• Applicants for skilled migration visas (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK)
• Candidates applying for work experience or sponsored employment programmes
• People applying for secondary school or vocational training courses
• Anyone whose receiving organisation accepts or requires the General Training version

Test Format and Timing

IELTS General Training is available in both paper-based and computer-based (CBT) formats. The content and scoring are identical regardless of format. See our CBT guide for details.

GT Reading: How It Differs

General Training Reading has three sections that progress in difficulty:

• Section 1: Two or three short texts on everyday topics — advertisements, timetables, notices, instructions.
• Section 2: Two short texts related to workplace contexts — job descriptions, contracts, training policies, company guidelines.
• Section 3: One longer, more complex text on a topic of general interest — similar in difficulty to Academic passages but drawn from general publications.

The question types are the same as Academic Reading (multiple choice, True/False/Not Given, matching, completion), but the source texts are more practical and accessible.

GT Writing: How It Differs

Task 1 (20 minutes, 150+ words): Write a letter in response to a given situation. The prompt specifies whether the letter should be formal (to a manager, official), semi-formal (to a colleague, landlord), or informal (to a friend). You must cover all bullet points in the prompt and use an appropriate tone.

Task 2 (40 minutes, 250+ words): Write an essay on a topic of general interest. The topics are less academic than the Academic version (e.g. “Some people think children should do household chores” rather than “Globalisation has led to cultural homogenisation”). The marking criteria are identical to Academic Writing.

Score Requirements for Immigration

Sources: Australian Department of Home Affairs, IRCC Canada, Immigration New Zealand, UK Home Office (gov.uk).

For full country-by-country requirements, see our Score Requirements guide.

Results and What Happens Next

Results are available in 3–5 days (computer-based) or 13 days (paper-based). Your Test Report Form is valid for 2 years. If you need to improve one section, you can use the One Skill Retake instead of sitting the full test again.

How to Prepare