IELTS General Training

What is IELTS General Training?

IELTS General Training measures English language proficiency in a practical, everyday context. The tasks and tests reflect both workplace and social situations.

The test focuses on basic survival skills in broad social and workplace contexts. This approach is widely supported by the institutions that recognise IELTS.

Who takes IELTS General Training?

The IELTS General Training test is for those who are going to English speaking countries for secondary education, work experience or training programs.

It is also a requirement for migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK. This test format is suitable for those applying to train or study at below degree level, as well as those wishing to migrate to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK.

Why to take IELTS General Training?

Take this test if you would like to:

• study or train below degree level
• work or undertake work related training in an English-speaking country
• emigrate to an English-speaking country
• get another job in your own country.

Format of the exam

We provide IELTS General Training exams on computer, thus we can guarantee you fast results in 3-5 working days!

The IELTS test consists of 4 parts.

IELTS General Training Listening

30 minutes

You will listen to 4 recordings of native English speakers and then write your answers to a series of questions.

1. A conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.
2. A monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g., a speech about local facilities.
3. A conversation between up to 4 people set in an educational or training context, e.g., a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment.
4. A monologue on an academic subject, e.g., a university lecture.

Assessors will be looking for evidence of your ability to understand the main ideas and detailed factual information, the opinions and attitudes of speakers, the purpose of an utterance and evidence of your ability to follow the development of ideas.

IELTS General Training Reading

60 minutes

The Reading section consists of 40 questions, designed to evaluate a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognising writers' opinions, attitudes, and purpose.

IELTS General Training includes extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment.

IELTS General Training Writing

60 minutes

Topics of general interest including 2 tasks:

1. You will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
2. You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. The essay can be fairly personal in style.

IELTS General Training Speaking

11–14 minutes

The speaking section assesses your use of spoken English in 3 parts. Every test is recorded.

1. The examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies, and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes.
2. You will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic.
3. You will be asked further questions about the topic in Part 2. These will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts between four and five minutes.