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The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an international standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. It is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English. IELTS has two types: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Both tests assess your English language skills in listening, reading, writing and speaking.

IELTS General Training:

The IELTS General Training test is suitable for those applying to study below degree level. This includes an English-speaking school or college. It can also be taken for work experience or other employment training.

IELTS General Training is also required for migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. The test features everyday English language skills that you will need in social and workplace environments.

IELTS Academic:

The IELTS Academic test is suitable for those wanting to study in an English-speaking university (higher education). IELTS Academic can also be taken up for professional registration purposes. The test measures if you are ready to begin studying in English. It features vocabulary that is familiar within an academic setting.

Both these tests have the same Listening and Speaking tests but different Reading and Writing tests.

Listening Test Format:

You will listen to four recordings of native English speakers and then write your answers to a series of questions.

• 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.

Speaking Test Format:

The speaking section assesses your use of spoken English.

• Part 1 - the examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes.
• Part 2 - you will be given a card that asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic.
• Part 3 - you will be asked further questions about the topic in Part 2. These will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts between four and five minutes.

Reading Test for IELTS Academic:

The Reading section consists of 40 questions to be answered in 60 minutes. It is designed to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognising writers' opinions, attitudes and purpose.

This includes three long texts which range from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical. These are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers.

Writing Test for IELTS Academic:

Topics are of general interest to, and suitable for, test takers entering undergraduate and postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration. There are two tasks:

• Task 1 - you will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.
• Task 2 - you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Responses to both tasks must be in a formal style.

For more information, refer here:

https://www.ielts.org/about-ielts/ielts-test-types

Hope this was helpful.

Should there be any other query, please feel free to ask.

Good Luck!