The Difference between General Training and Academic Module

The general training module is required if you apply for a working or immigrant visa while the academic is for student although this can vary among institutions or countries. The best thing you can do is inquire from the institution you are applying to. Keep in mind that one module cannot be presented as a replacement for the other. If you are asked to take IELTS Academic, you have to submit to them your IELTS Academic test result form, not a general training one, and vice-versa.

 

 

SIMILARITIES:

Listening

The listening test is exactly the same for both general training and academic modules. In fact, when you take the test, all candidates take the test inside the same room and you do the listening test together regardless of your module.

Speaking

The same is true with the speaking test. You may have different sets of questions, but the format of the entire test is the same.

DIFFERENCES:

Writing

The academic module is entirely academic. In task 1, you will be given a graph, process diagram, map, or table and you will be asked to describe the data. In task 2, you will be provided a particular topic or issue and you will be required to discuss or give your opinion about it in the form of an essay.

On the other hand, the general training task 1 can be formal, semi-formal, or informal depending on the situation given to you where your task is to write a letter. Task 2 is an essay task that is similar to task 2 of the academic module.

Reading

The academic module is generally more difficult than general training. First, the topics or the nature of the contents are more academic such as research, discoveries, or psychology while the general training is usually lighter and is usually taken from magazines or brochures such as different menus of restaurants or advertisements of a particular line of business. Second, they also differ in terms of length where the academic module has one lengthy academic per section while the general training has two short articles for sections one and two and a long passage in section three.

An Introduction to IELTS

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a standardized examination

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a standardized examination that assesses non-native speakers’ proficiency in the English language.

It is a requirement for those who wish to study, work, or migrate to English speaking countries which include the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States of America.

 

There are two modules of the examination, general training and academic. The test is not a pass-or-fail case. The institution in which you are applying at determines the band scores that you need to achieve. The score ranges from 1 (non-user) to 9 (expert user). However, a band score of 0 is given to those who did not attempt the test. Results are made available 13 calendar days from the test date and are valid for two years.

 

There is an average of two exam dates per module per month. The test is conducted in several designated centers in different countries which are manned by the IDP IELTS Australia and the British Council while the test questions are prepared by the Cambridge English Language Assessment.

Taking the IELTS

What better way to kick off this blog than to share my own experience as an IELTS candidate. The first challenge I had was that the institution where I enrolled in was not the typical review center where lectures and coaching sessions are regular and you have the opportunity to consult with an instructor every day. It was more of a center that provides resources and a room where you review on your own. After learning about the test format from the lectures, I basically practiced independently except for few instances of one-on-one coaching for writing and speaking with the teacher.

After two weeks on the course, I was recommended to take the examination on the next 14 days. It was then when I began to panic because I felt like I only knew a little. Since I aimed to take the test once, I resorted to self-study with the internet as my main tool. I found countless tips online and discovered my own techniques in dealing with the examination.

First, be fully aware that IELTS is not a mere test of your English listening, reading, writing and speaking skills. It is a standardized exam that requires some technicalities. In writing, for instance, it is not enough that you have an impressive vocabulary and excellent grammar skills; you need to know the type of writing they specifically need and how you should approach the task. I have been learning English in school since day one but I admit that if I had not reviewed for the test, I would have probably failed in achieving my target scores.

Second, listening is definitely overwhelming for people who are not used to listening English, particularly British and Australian. Although this varies among students, to me it was the most challenging. I am not a good listener and the English that I was exposed to was generally American. Also, remember that it is not just about the accent but the vocabulary as well. But do not fret. You only need some exposure and practice and you will eventually get the hang of it and achieve a high score.

Reading is another component that also gets easier as you accomplish more practice tests. Of course, knowing the tips for different question types helps your progress fast. Also, take note that if reading has never been a hobby, you will need to develop the habit of reading daily. It may take a lot of effort at first but that is the point. One needs to be so at ease with reading that doing it becomes effortless.

Writing is the most grueling task for many students. It takes a lot of patience in order for you to get there. It is because writing involves style and rules. If writing is not your cup of tea, consider spending more time on this.

Speaking can either be the easiest or the most difficult component. It is the easiest for those who have already been using English  and are confident in speaking the language. On the other hand, it can be very demanding for those who hate doing it. The most helpful tip I can give is to learn to love speaking English and be confident in doing so.

Now, let’s be real. IELTS is hard; to accomplish your target scores, you need to review. However, its degree of difficulty varies among individuals. Some may perform better in listening and speaking while others are good at writing and reading. Make sure you know your weaknesses and work on them. Utilize proven tips and techniques given by others but you may device your own strategies, too.

Most importantly, get the help you need.