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IELTS General Training Preparation Course 2026

This course is for people preparing for IELTS General Training, the version of IELTS often used for migration and for training below degree level. Six lessons cover the test format and band scores, Listening, Reading, the Task 1 letter, the Task 2 essay and the Speaking test, with practical exercises and model answers. Each lesson has an untimed topic quiz with explanations, and a timed 40-question final assessment unlocks a certificate of completion when you score 80% or more.

  • Course
  • United Kingdom
  • 97 questions
  • Checked October 13, 2026
  • Fact-checked October 13, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 300 minutes of lessons, 6 untimed topic quizzes (97 questions in all) and a timed final assessment of 40 questions drawn at random. Score 80% or more on the final assessment to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026.

Start with the lessonsIELTS General Training Course: Lessons: about 300 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Describe the four parts, timing and question counts of IELTS General Training
  • Work out an overall band score from four part scores
  • Follow word limits and catch spellings, numbers and corrections in Listening
  • Answer True/False/Not Given and matching questions on everyday and workplace texts
  • Write a Task 1 letter in the right style that covers all three bullet points
  • Plan a Task 2 essay with a clear position, structured paragraphs and linking words
  • Extend answers in all three parts of the Speaking test

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

Your study plan

Read each lesson, take its topic quiz (untimed, with explanations), then the timed final assessment. A new mix of questions is drawn every time. Your progress is saved in this browser.

  1. Read the lessons6 lessons, about 300 min
  2. Topic quiz 1: Test format and scoring16 questions
  3. Topic quiz 2: Listening16 questions
  4. Topic quiz 3: Reading everyday and workplace texts18 questions
  5. Topic quiz 4: Writing Task 1 letters16 questions
  6. Topic quiz 5: Writing Task 2 essays16 questions
  7. Topic quiz 6: Speaking in three parts15 questions
  8. Final exam40 questions, 40 min · Score 80% or more

Topic quiz 1: Test format and scoring

  1. Question 1 of 16

    Which four skills does the IELTS General Training test assess?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking

    IELTS General Training has four parts: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Grammar and vocabulary are judged inside these parts, not as separate tests.

  2. Question 2 of 16

    Which two parts are the same in IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Listening and Speaking

    Listening and Speaking are the same in both tests. Reading and Writing are different, because each version is designed for its own purpose.

  3. Question 3 of 16

    Who is IELTS General Training mainly designed for?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. People migrating to an English-speaking country or training below degree level

    The official IELTS site recommends General Training for migration to an English-speaking country and for training or study below degree level. Academic is the version for degree study and professional registration.

  4. Question 4 of 16

    How long is the IELTS General Training Reading test?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 60 minutes

    The Reading test lasts 60 minutes. Listening is the part that takes about 30 minutes.

  5. Question 5 of 16

    How long is the Speaking test?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 11 to 14 minutes

    The Speaking test takes 11–14 minutes in three parts. Four to five minutes is the length of Part 1 only.

  6. Question 6 of 16

    How many questions are there in the Listening test and in the Reading test?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 40 in each

    Listening has 40 questions in four parts, and General Training Reading has 40 questions in three sections. Each correct answer earns one mark.

  7. Question 7 of 16

    According to the British Council, how long does the whole IELTS test take?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 2 hours and 45 minutes

    The British Council says the IELTS test takes 2 hours and 45 minutes in total.

  8. Question 8 of 16

    When can the Speaking test take place?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. On the same day, or within 7 days before or after the other parts

    Listening, Reading and Writing are taken together with no breaks. The Speaking test may be on the same day or within 7 days before or after them.

  9. Question 9 of 16

    What scale is used for IELTS scores?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Band scores from 0 to 9

    Every IELTS result is reported on a band scale from 0 to 9. Band 0 means the test taker did not attempt the test.

  10. Question 10 of 16

    Which description matches band 6 on the IELTS band scale?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Competent

    Band 6 is "competent": effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies. Band 7 is good, band 5 is modest and band 9 is expert.

  11. Question 11 of 16

    How is the overall IELTS band score worked out?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The four scores are averaged and rounded to the nearest half band

    The overall band is the average of the Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking bands, rounded to the nearest half band.

  12. Question 12 of 16

    A test taker's four band scores have an average of 6.25. What is the overall band?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 6.5

    An average ending in .25 is rounded up to the next half band, so 6.25 becomes 6.5. Overall bands are only whole or half bands.

  13. Question 13 of 16

    A test taker scores Listening 6.0, Reading 6.5, Writing 5.5 and Speaking 5.0. What is the overall band?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 6.0

    The total is 23.0, and 23.0 ÷ 4 = 5.75. An average ending in .75 is rounded up to the next whole band, so the overall band is 6.0.

  14. Question 14 of 16

    In the official example table, about how many correct answers out of 40 give band 6 in General Training Reading?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 30

    The official example shows about 30 correct answers for band 6 in General Training Reading (23 for band 5, 35 for band 7). The exact number can vary slightly between test versions.

  15. Question 15 of 16

    You need IELTS for a UK visa. Where must you take the test?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. In person at an official IELTS for UKVI test centre

    UK Visas and Immigration only accepts tests taken in person at an official IELTS for UKVI test centre, because it needs extra security.

  16. Question 16 of 16

    Can you take IELTS General Training as IELTS Online from home?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. No, IELTS Online is for IELTS Academic only

    The official IELTS site says IELTS Online is for the Academic test only. General Training is taken at a test centre.

What to know before the test

  • IELTS General Training has four parts: Listening (about 30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes) and Speaking (11–14 minutes).
  • Listening and Speaking are the same in IELTS Academic and General Training; Reading and Writing are different.
  • Listening has four parts and 40 questions, and each recording is played once only.
  • General Training Reading has 40 questions in three sections: everyday texts, two work-related texts, and one longer text on a topic of general interest.
  • Writing Task 1 is a letter of at least 150 words (spend no more than 20 minutes) and Task 2 is an essay of at least 250 words (no more than 40 minutes). Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1.
  • The Speaking test is a recorded, face-to-face interview with an examiner in three parts.
  • The overall band is the average of the four part scores, rounded to the nearest half band.
  • Listening, Reading and Writing are taken with no breaks; Speaking may be on the same day or within 7 days before or after.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the official IELTS General Training test?

No. This is an independent preparation course. All passages, recordings and questions are original and only copy the task types. For official samples, use the free sample test questions on the IELTS website.

What does the certificate of completion show?

It shows that you finished this course and scored at least 80% on its final assessment. It is not an IELTS result or band score, and it cannot be used as proof of English for a visa, migration, work or study.

Can my practice score tell me my IELTS band?

No. Official Listening and Reading marks are converted to bands, and the marks needed can vary slightly between test versions; Writing and Speaking are marked by trained examiners. Practice scores here are feedback only.

How is General Training different from IELTS Academic?

Listening and Speaking are the same. General Training Reading uses everyday and workplace texts, and its Writing Task 1 is a letter instead of an academic task. IELTS recommends General Training for migration and for training below degree level.

Can I take IELTS General Training online at home?

The official IELTS website says IELTS Online is available for IELTS Academic only, so General Training is taken at a test centre. For a UK visa, you must take IELTS for UKVI in person at an official IELTS for UKVI test centre.

How long is the final assessment?

It has 40 questions in 40 minutes, drawn at random from the whole course, so every attempt is different. You need 80% to pass.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Sources

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