Taking an IELTS test has vast importance in our academic and career life. There are different IELTS tests available, and students often get confused and ask, which IELTS test should I choose?

Before knowing about the different categories of IELTS, we should know what IELTS is?

What is IELTS?

IELTS- International English Language Testing System is an English language proficiency test for non-English language speakers. IELTS is jointly managed by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English.

IELTS is taken to examine the Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing eligibility. These are the four modules of IELTS. IELTS is graded on a scale of 1-9.

Why take IELTS?

The leading experts build the structure of language assessment, and it is taken to evaluate a student’s efficiency to study, live and work in an English-speaking country. Obtaining a high IELTS score will help students enrol in a reputed international university or institute. Besides, the career gaining will also add up benefits in the career. A student can get the dream job, and a good score also standardized the CV.

Types of IELTS

Usually, there are two types of IELTS tests available. They are- IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. However, there is also an IELTS test named IELTS life Skills available for people who want to settle with family in the UK.  Let’s know about them.

IELTS Academic-

IELTS Academic is for students who want to take higher studies in an English-speaking country. For professional registration purposes, this IELTS Academic test can be taken. Basically, those who want to pursue graduation, post-graduation, or higher degrees should take an IELTS Academic test.

IELTS General training

IELTS general training is for you if you don’t want to pursue higher education or go to an English-speaking country for migration or working purposes. It is a little bit easier than the IELTS academic. Besides, if you want to take a course below degree level, the IELTS general training course is probably best for you.

IELTS Life Skills


IELTS Life Skills is an English language test through which a person can prove their English speaking and listening proficiency based on the CEFR- Common European Framework of Reference levels A1, A2, and B1. By taking this IELTS test, a person can apply for a visa extension, citizenship, and a “Family of a settled person visa.”

If you are applying for a “Family of a settled person visa,” then the Life Skills A1 test is for you.For extending a “Family of a settled person visa,” then the Life Skills A2 test is for you. ( It is noted that the IELTS Life Skills A2 Speaking and Listening is only available in the UK. The partners or the parents of the family route visa will need to pass a speaking and listening test at level A2 after two-and-a-half years of staying in the UK for the five-year partner or parent route settlement.
The IELTS Life Skills B1 test is for you if you are applying for UK citizenship.

After reading about the types of IELTS, I hope you get the answer to which IELTS test you should choose.

Read More: https://www.aims-education.com/which-ielts-test-should-i-choose/