Types: Academic, General Training, UKVI, Life Skills
Discover which test suits your goals – university, work, visa, or citizenship.
IELTS Pathfinder
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Types of IELTS
Click each card to reveal details:
IELTS Academic
Purpose: For university admission and professional registration
Content: Academic texts, data interpretation, formal essays
Test Format: 4 sections (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes (Except Speaking)
General Training
Purpose: For work and migration to English-speaking countries
Content: Everyday English, workplace texts, letter writing
Test Format: Same Listening and Speaking but different Writing and Reading compared to Academic
Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes (Except Speaking)
IELTS UKVI
Purpose: UK Visa and Immigration applications
Variants: Academic UKVI, General Training UKVI, Life Skills
Key Feature: Taken at UKVI-approved test centers
When Required: For all UK visa applications
Life Skills
Purpose: UK family and settlement visas
Levels: A1 (spouse visas) and B1 (citizenship)
Test Format: Speaking & Listening only (16-22 minutes)
Content: Everyday conversation skills
Test Type Comparison
| Test Type | Purpose | Sections | UKVI Approved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | University admission | Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking | Only Academic UKVI version |
| General Training | Work/migration (non-UK) | Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking | Only General UKVI version |
| Life Skills A1 | UK family visas | Speaking & Listening only | Yes |
| Life Skills B1 | UK citizenship | Speaking & Listening only | Yes |
Test Your Knowledge
1. Which test would a nurse moving to the UK for work need?
2. What’s the main difference between Life Skills A1 and B1?