IELTS General Training: Test Format, Syllabus, Score, Tips, Books, and Practice Papers
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Content Curator | Updated On - Mar 21, 2024
Students who intend to study in a high school or a vocational training program must take IELTS General. IELTS GT consists of four sections- Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. The IELTS General Training test assesses a candidate’s English language abilities in a very everyday, practical environment. IELTS general is also required for candidates who want to relocate to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom.
GT IELTS score ranges from 1-9 band for all four sections. The IELTS general exam fee for a Paper-based test and that of the Computer-delivered test is is INR 17,000. The IELTS test duration is 2 hours and 45 minutes. You must complete all the 4 sections within the specified time.
IELTS is the most trusted English assessment all over the globe. IELTS syllabus in listening general test deals with 4 parts. Parts 1 and 2 questions are based on everyday, social situations, and Parts 3 and 4 deal with educational and training situations. In IELTS general reading, you will get 2 sections. Section 1 deals with everyday topics and Section 2 focuses on work topics, for example, job descriptions, contracts, staff development, and training materials. IELTS Writing also has 2 parts. The first part is letter writing and Task 2 is an essay writing on a point of view, argument or problem to discuss. IELTS general speaking has three parts – Introduction, speaking on topic and discussion on the topic.
- IELTS General Training Test Format
- IELTS General Training Listening Test
2.1 IELTS GT Listening Score
2.2 IELTS General Listening Tips - IELTS General Training Reading Test
- IELTS General Reading Score
4.1 IELTS GT Reading Tips - IELTS General Training Speaking
5.1 IELTS General Training Speaking Score
5.2 IELTS General Training Speaking Tips - IELTS General Training Writing Test
6.1 IELTS General Training Writing Score
6.2 IELTS General Training Writing Tips - IELTS Preparation Books
- IELTS General Training Practice Tests
- FAQs
IELTS General Training Test Format
The test is divided into four sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Listening, Reading, and Writing examinations are all given on the same day, one after the other, with no gaps. The IELTS Speaking test can take place on the same day as the exam or on any day up to a week before or after the exam. Candidates may reserve a slot for the Speaking test online on their selected day and time. If the candidate does not select a time slot within the specified time frame, one will be assigned to you automatically.
Here is the general IELTS score for candidates to understand the sections better:
| IELTS Listening test (30 minutes) | Candidates will have to listen to four recordings and then answer the questions asked. The recordings are of native English speakers and the duration of the test is 30 minutes. |
| IELTS Reading test (60 minutes) | The IELTS Reading test requires you to answer 40 questions and is designed to test candidate's on an array of reading skills. Candidates would have to read for gist, main ideas, details, logical arguments, skimming, and figuring out the writers’ attitudes, opinions and intentions. |
| IELTS Writing test (60 minutes) | The IELTS writing test requires you to complete two tasks IELTS Writing task 1 and 2 and covers topics of general interest based on the module you are taking. |
| IELTS Speaking Test (11-14 minutes) | The IELTS Speaking test assesses your spoken English skills. The test is recorded and conducted in three parts. |
IELTS General Training Listening Test
The General Listening test will evaluate your ability to grasp the speakers' key ideas. The IELTS listening tests detailed information, viewpoints, purpose, and attitudes, as well as your ability to follow the evolution of ideas.
Time Duration: 30 minutes +10 minutes to transfer the responses to the answer sheet
Question Types: multiple choice, matching points, diagram labeling, and sentence completion
Format:
- Recording 1 – a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context.
- Recording 2 - a monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities.
- Recording 3 – a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context, e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment.
- Recording 4 - a monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture.
IELTS GT Listening Score
There are 40 questions in the IELTS Listening test. Each right answer receives one point. The IELTS listening score is a nine-band scale used to convert scores out of 40. IELTS GT scores are given in full and half bands.
| Band score | Raw score out of 40 |
|---|---|
| 5 | 16 |
| 6 | 23 |
| 7 | 30 |
| 8 | 35 |
IELTS General Listening Tips
- Read all of the questions carefully before starting the recording for any segment. This will make it easier to follow the IELTS CBT recordings and identify the solutions.
- Once a portion is finished, the candidate can go on to the following area's questions.
- At times, there will be a selection of possibilities from which to choose. The answers do not have to be given in the order the candidate hears them; they might alternatively be placed alphabetically.
- Please keep in mind the word restrictions for each area. If an instruction states, "Write no more than two words," follow it. If a candidate writes more than the stated limit, the candidate may receive no credit for their attempted response.
- Keep eyes peeled for crucial words or synonyms to acheive good IELTS band scores.
- Candidates must be familiar with the English alphabet and how they are pronounced in questions where they must type out words spelled out in the audio.
Sample:
IELTS General Training Reading Test
The General Training Reading test is divided into three portions and has 40 questions. IELTS reading for GT focuses on everyday events, work-related difficulties such as job applications, and topics of general interest. Each area in IELTS general reading contains excerpts from books, periodicals, newspapers, announcements, advertising, business handbooks, and guidelines.
Time Duration: 60 minutes
Question Types:
- Matching headings
- Locating information
- Summary completion
- True false not given
- Multiple choice questions
- Matching sentence endings
- Matching features
- Sentence completion
- Note completion
- Yes no not given
- Table completion
- Short answer questions
- Flow chart completion
Format:
- Section 1 - two short or three short factual texts
- Section 2 - two short work-related, factual texts
- Section 3 - one longer text on a topic of general interest
IELTS General Reading Score
IELTS General Reading section contains 40 questions. Each correct answer gets one mark. IELTS reading scores for GT out of 40 are converted to the IELTS nine-band scale. Scores are marked in whole and half bands.
| Band score | Raw score out of 40 |
|---|---|
| 4 | 15 |
| 5 | 23 |
| 6 | 30 |
| 7 | 34 |
| 8 | 38 |
IELTS GT Reading Tips
- Read the questions before the text
- Skim through the IELTS reading passage
- Stay focused while reading the introduction and conclusion
- Identify the main keywords in IELTS Reading topics
- Try answering all questions
- Check every answer
- Solve IELTS General reading practice test
- Practice more from the official website
Sample:
IELTS General Training Speaking
The IELTS General Speaking examines a candidate’s use of spoken English. GT IELTS speaking tests are conducted face-to-face with a certified IELTS examiner. These sessions are recorded in case they want to review.
Time Duration: 10-15 minutes
Question Types: Face-to-face interview, and Short questions
Format:
- Part 1 - The examinee is asked generic questions about himself or herself. A variety of common IELTS Speaking topics, including home, family, job, studies, and hobbies. This segment lasts four to five minutes.
- Part 2 - Candidates will be handed a card that requests that they speak on a specific topic. Before speaking for up to two minutes, will have one minute to prepare. The examiner will next ask one or two follow-up questions on the same subject.
- Part 3 - In Part 2, the test-takers will be asked additional questions on the topic. This will allow us to debate more abstract concepts and topics. This section of the test lasts four to five minutes.
IELTS General Training Speaking Score
IELTS general speaking scoring is based on 4 different criteria. The IELTS score validity is 2 years from the exam date. The criteria are Fluency & Coherence (FC), Lexical Resource (LR), Grammatical range and accuracy (GRA), and Pronunciation (P). IELTS Speaking Score is calculated by the arithmetic mean of all 4 different criteria. Here is the scoring chart to make understand IELTS Speaking Scoring:
| Criteria | Band Scored by X Candidate |
| Fluency and Coherence | 6 |
| Pronunciation | 7 |
| Lexical Resource | 7 |
| Grammatical range and accuracy | 8 |
| Total IELTS Speaking Score | 7 |
IELTS General Training Speaking Tips
- Do not memorize any particular answer
- Avoid using big and unfamiliar words
- Use a range of grammatical structures in IELTS Speaking topics.
- Pause to think
- Avoid using fillers
- Extend answers.
Sample:
IELTS General Training Writing Test
IELTS General Writing test consists of two tasks: IELTS Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2. Each IELTS general writing task's subjects are of general interest.
Time Duration: 60 minutes
Question Types: Letter writing task (minimum 150 words), Short essay writing task (minimum 250 words).
Format:
IELTS General Writing Task1: The candidate will be given a problem and instructed to compose a letter asking for information or describing the issue. The letter might be informal, semi-formal, or formal in tone.
IELTS General Writing Task2: Candidates entail writing an essay in response to a point of view, argument, or problem. The essay's style might be rather personal.
IELTS General Training Writing Score
Writing task 1 = band score 8
Writing Task 2 = band score 6
Total Writing Score = 6.5
You can calculate your own score: 8+6+6=20/3=6.66. Take one task 1 score and
two task 2 scores and divide by 3.
IELTS General Training Writing Tips
Here are the IELTS preparation tips for both the sections:
IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 tips:
- Identify the type of the question(eg. Formal, semi-formal, informal)
- Identify and state the purpose of the letter
- Address open and close the letter correctly
- Learn and use standard written phrases
- Spell commonly used words correctly
- Include all three bulleted points( eg. explain the problem; describe why it disturbs test-takers; and suggest a solution)
Sample:
| Sample Task 1 Questions Informal Example Question: A friend of yours is coming to stay at your house for a week while you are away on holiday. They have not stayed at your house before. Write a letter to your friend so that you can prepare them for their stay. In your letter:
Semi-formal Example Question: You rent an apartment and recently a new neighbour has moved in who lives above you. They are making a lot of noise and this is disturbing you. Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter:
Formal Example Question: You recently purchased an internet package for your house but you think the speed is much slower than it should be. You have complained twice to customer services on the phone but still nothing has been done. Write a letter to the manager of the company. In your letter:
|
|---|
IELTS General Training Writing Task 2 tips:
- Follow the correct format
- Include academic vocabulary
- Connect introduction and title
- Write a supporting paragraphs
- Express opinion and state it with examples
Sample:
| Sample Task 2 Questions Example Question 1: Some people believe that it is better to educate children at home rather than sending them to school. Other people believe that it is essential that all children attend formal school education. Discuss both opinions and give your own opinion. Example Question 2: Many cities around the world these days are becoming more and more polluted. Why is this happening? What solutions can you suggest? Example Question 3: These days many people are choosing to have fewer children and so smaller families. Is it better to have a small family than a large family? |
|---|
IELTS Preparation Books
Candidates must select IELTS General Training materials for IELTS General Training from a large selection. In contrast to IELTS Academic, students must do well in the IELTS listening and speaking sections primarily for general training. The following are a few IELTS general preparation books that might aid candidates on their way to success.
- Cambridge IELTS 13 General Training Student's Book with Answers with Audio
- IELTS General Training Book 2018
- IELTS 14 General Training Student's Book with Answers with Audio
- IELTS GT Essays and Letters from the Past Exams - IELTS GT Essays and Letters From The Past Exams Paperback – 2017
- Cambridge IELTS 12 General Training Student's Book with Answers
IELTS General Training Practice Tests
IELTS General Training practice papers are required to secure good marks in the overall band score. Test takers are required to practice study materials available online other than books available. Practice IELTS exam sample papers to get an overall idea of the IELTS General Training.
| IELTS General Practice Test 1 | IELTS General Practice Test 2 |
| IELTS General Practice Test 3 | IELTS General Practice Test 4 |
| IELTS General Practice Test 5 | IELTS General Practice Test 6 |
IELTS general exam is taken by candidates to work abroad. This test is less difficult as compared to IELTS academic. IELTS General test format is the same as the academic test. It differs only in the scoring and level of the questions.
FAQs
Ques: What is the duration of the IELTS General Training test?
Ques: Is it easy to get 8 in IELTS General?
Ans: Yes, with proper practice candidates can easily achieve 8 in IELTS General.
Ques: Which book is best for IELTS General?
Ans: IELTS General Training Book 2018, IELTS 14 General Training Student's Book with Answers with Audio, and IELTS GT Essays and Letters from the Past Exams are some of the best books for IELTS General.
Ques: How can I score 9 in IELTS General?
Ans: Complete entire syllabus, improve vocabulary, practice mock test, understand the question, read books, and practice speaking in IELTS to score 9 in IELTS General.
Ques: Is 7 a good score in IELTS General Training?
Ans: Yes, 7 is a good score in IELTS General Training.
Ques: What is the highest score in IELTS General Training?
Ans: 9 is the highest score in IELTS General Training.
Ques: What is the difference between IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic?
Ques: What is the IELTS General Training fees?
Ans: IELTS General Training fees is INR 16,250.
Ques: What is General Training IELTS?
Ques: Can I pass IELTS General without coaching?
Ans: Yes, with proper preparation students can pass IELTS General without coaching.
Ques: Is general training easier in IELTS?
Ans: Yes, IELTS general training is considered easier than IELTS academic. The General test assesses your English proficiency to sustain in a general English-speaking environment. In contrast, the Academic test analyses your language skills to study and sustain in an academic environment.
Ques: How to prepare for general training in IELTS?
Ans: To prepare for IELTS general training, you must Take a practice test, understand the test format, develop your English capabilities and IELTS strategies and develop a wide range of reading skills.
Ques: Who needs IELTS general training?
Ans: If your goal is to study below degree level or immigrate to an English-speaking country, then you need to take the IELTS General Training test. Before booking your IELTS test, make sure to check which test you need with the organizations you are applying to.
Ques: Is 7 a good score in IELTS general training?
Ans: Yes, a score of 7 in IELTS is quite good score in IELTS general. The average score in IELTS general is 5. However, you must always try to improve your scores for better marks in Visa processing.
Ques: Is 6.5 a good score in IELTS general training?
Ans: Yes, 6.5 can be considered a competitive score in IELTS general training. Most of the vocational traings and insitutions do not have any minimum requirement. However, an IELTS score of 6 is considered standard.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.