IELTS Academic vs General Training Writing: Key Differences Explained

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IELTS comes in two versions: Academic and General Training. Both include a Writing test with two tasks, both are scored on the same 1–9 band scale, and both are marked by trained examiners using the same criteria.

But the tests are not identical. The format of Task 1 is completely different between the two versions, and even Task 2 — which looks the same on the surface — has subtle differences in topic focus and formality.

If you are unsure which version you need, or wondering whether your preparation should change, this guide covers everything you need to know.

Academic vs General Training at a Glance

The biggest difference is Task 1. Task 2 is structurally the same in both versions.

Task 1: Where the Real Difference Lies

Academic Task 1

You are given a visual — a bar chart, line graph, pie chart, table, process diagram, or map — and asked to summarize the information in at least 150 words. This requires:

• Selecting and reporting key features
• Making comparisons where relevant
• Describing trends, changes, or stages
• Using formal, impersonal language

There is no opinion involved. You are reporting what you see.

General Training Task 1

You are given a situation and asked to write a letter in at least 150 words. The letter can be:

• Formal — to a company, manager, or official body (complaint, request, application)
• Semi-formal — to someone you know professionally (a landlord, a colleague)
• Informal — to a friend or family member (invitation, update, thanks)

This requires adjusting your tone, using appropriate openings and closings, and covering all the bullet points in the prompt.

Why this difference matters

Academic Task 1 and General Training Task 1 require completely different skills. Academic tests your ability to analyze data and describe trends objectively. General Training tests your ability to communicate in everyday written English across different levels of formality. You cannot prepare for one by practicing the other.

Task 2: More Similar Than Different

Here is where things converge. In both Academic and General Training, Task 2 asks you to write a discursive essay of at least 250 words in response to a point of view, argument, or problem.

The question types are the same: opinion essays, discussion essays, problem-solution essays, advantages/disadvantages essays, two-part questions, and direct questions. The four-paragraph structure works for both versions.

However, there are a few differences worth noting.

Topic differences

Academic Task 2 topics tend to be slightly more abstract or global in scope:

• The role of government in education
• Whether scientific research should be controlled
• The impact of globalization on local cultures

General Training Task 2 topics tend to be more grounded in everyday life:

• Whether neighbours are important in modern society
• The effects of working long hours on family life
• Whether people spend too much money on entertainment

Both versions can cover education, health, technology, environment, and society — but Academic prompts lean toward policy and theory while General Training prompts lean toward personal and community topics.

Formality expectations

Both versions require formal or semi-formal English in Task 2. You should avoid contractions, slang, and overly casual language in either version.

That said, General Training prompts sometimes allow slightly more personal framing because the topics are closer to everyday experience. An Academic essay about government policy naturally uses more impersonal language than a General Training essay about your neighbourhood. The expectations for grammatical range and vocabulary are the same — the difference is in the natural tone that the topics invite.

Complexity of argument

Because Academic topics can be more abstract, they sometimes require more nuanced argumentation. A question about whether governments should limit scientific freedom demands more careful reasoning than a question about whether neighbours are important.

This does not mean General Training essays are easier to score well on. The marking criteria are identical, and examiners expect the same quality of reasoning, coherence, vocabulary, and grammar in both versions.

Scoring: The Same System for Both Versions

IELTS Writing Task 2 is marked using the same four criteria in both Academic and General Training:

1. Task Response — Did you answer the question fully and present a clear position?
2. Coherence and Cohesion — Is your essay logically organized with clear paragraphing and linking?
3. Lexical Resource — Do you use a range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately?
4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Do you use a variety of sentence structures with control?

Each criterion is scored from 0–9, and your Task 2 band score is the average of all four. Your overall Writing score weights Task 2 at two-thirds and Task 1 at one-third.

The band descriptors are identical for both versions. A Band 7 in General Training Task 2 requires the same quality of writing as a Band 7 in Academic Task 2.

For a detailed breakdown of each criterion, read: IELTS Marking Criteria Explained: What Examiners Actually Score You On

For a full explanation of how band scores are calculated, see: IELTS Band Scores Explained: How IELTS Scoring and Grading Works

Is General Training Writing Easier?

This is one of the most common misconceptions about IELTS. Let's address it directly.

Task 1: General Training Task 1 (letter writing) is generally considered less demanding than Academic Task 1 (data analysis). Writing a letter to a friend is less cognitively challenging than analyzing a complex line graph. This is reflected in the scoring — General Training Task 1 band scores are converted differently on the final score, so a "good" letter does not automatically translate to a Band 8.

Task 2: Neither version is easier. The same marking criteria apply, the same word count is required, and the same level of essay development is expected. The topics differ but the standards do not.

Overall Writing score: Because Task 1 and Task 2 are weighted differently (one-third vs two-thirds), and because the Task 1 scoring conversion differs between versions, direct comparisons of overall Writing scores between Academic and General Training are not straightforward. Focus on the requirements of your specific version rather than comparing difficulty.

Which Version Should You Take?

This is not really a choice based on preference. Your required version depends on your purpose:

Take Academic if you need IELTS for:

• University admission (undergraduate or postgraduate)
• Professional registration (medical, nursing, engineering boards)
• Certain visa categories that specifically require Academic

Take General Training if you need IELTS for:

• Immigration (permanent residency applications)
• Work visa applications
• Secondary education or vocational training
• General professional purposes

Check with your institution or immigration authority to confirm which version they accept. Some organizations accept either version; others are strict about requiring one specific format.

For a complete overview of the IELTS test, including all four sections, see: What is IELTS? Complete Guide to the International English Language Testing System

Does Your Preparation Change?

For Task 1: Yes, completely

Academic candidates must practice describing graphs, charts, tables, process diagrams, and maps. General Training candidates must practice writing formal, semi-formal, and informal letters. There is no overlap between these two tasks, so your Task 1 preparation depends entirely on which version you are sitting.

For Task 2: Mostly no

The essay types, structures, and scoring criteria are identical. If you learn how to write a strong opinion essay for Academic, that same skill applies to General Training. The core skills — developing arguments, organizing paragraphs, using linking words, demonstrating vocabulary range — are the same regardless of version.

The only minor adjustment is topic familiarity. If you are taking General Training, spend some time practicing with GT-style prompts (everyday life, community, personal experience topics) so the phrasing does not surprise you on test day. If you are taking Academic, practice with more abstract, policy-oriented prompts.

But the writing skills themselves transfer completely between versions.

Recommended preparation strategy

1. Learn the six Task 2 essay types and their structures — these are the same for both versions
2. Practice Task 1 using materials specific to your version (graphs for Academic, letters for General Training)
3. Write timed practice essays under exam conditions (60 minutes for both tasks)
4. Get feedback on your writing from a qualified source that evaluates all four marking criteria
5. Focus on your weakest criterion — whether that is grammar, vocabulary, coherence, or task response

Key Takeaways

• Task 1 is completely different between Academic (data analysis) and General Training (letter writing). Your Task 1 preparation must match your version.
• Task 2 is structurally the same in both versions — same essay types, same structures, same word count, same time allocation.
• Scoring criteria are identical for Task 2. A Band 7 means the same thing regardless of which version you take.
• Topic focus differs slightly — Academic leans toward abstract/global themes, General Training leans toward everyday/personal themes. But the skills required are the same.
• Neither version is easier. General Training Task 1 may be less demanding, but Task 2 standards are identical.
• Your version depends on your purpose — university requires Academic, immigration typically requires General Training. Check your institution's requirements.

The most important takeaway: if you are preparing for Task 2, the skills you build are transferable. Focus on mastering essay structure, developing ideas clearly, and meeting the band descriptors — regardless of which version of IELTS you are taking.

Not sure if your Task 2 essays meet Band 7 standards? Try BandWriteCoach — our AI evaluator scores your essay against all four IELTS criteria and shows you exactly where to improve.