IELTS General Training classes online
For Canada, Australia, New Zealand and work visas. We find the skill holding your score or CLB level back, then work on it with you in live classes and in the NextBand Room.
Who IELTS General Training is for
IELTS General Training is mostly used for migration and work. Canada accepts it for Express Entry, and it is used for many visas to Australia and New Zealand, and for some UK routes. For UK visas you often need the UKVI version of the test, so check the exact test your visa asks for. If you are applying to a university or for professional registration, you probably need IELTS Academic.
The test, part by part
Listening and Speaking are exactly the same as in IELTS Academic. Reading and Writing are different: the texts come from everyday life and work, and Writing Task 1 is a letter. From mid 2026 IELTS is delivered on computer, with a Writing on Paper option in some countries. For UK visas, the UKVI version is computer only.
| Skill | Time | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | About 30 minutes | 4 recordings, 40 questions. You hear each recording once. |
| Reading | 60 minutes | 3 sections, 40 questions: short notices and adverts, then work related texts, then one longer text. |
| Writing | 60 minutes | Task 1: a letter of at least 150 words. Task 2: an essay of at least 250 words. |
| Speaking | 11 to 14 minutes | Part 1 questions about you, a 2 minute talk from a cue card, then a discussion. |
IELTS General Training and Canada (CLB)
For Express Entry, Canada turns your IELTS General Training bands into Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels. You need the minimum in every skill, not just overall. Here are two levels people ask us about most:
| Level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CLB 9 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
Look at Listening. CLB 9 needs 8.0, not 7.0. Many people miss this. Always check the current table on the official Government of Canada website before you book.
Where most people lose marks
The wrong tone in the Task 1 letter
Write to your manager to ask for two days off next week.
Missing one of the three bullet points
Every Task 1 letter gives you three bullet points to cover. If you skip one, or write one line about it, your Task Achievement band drops, however good the rest is. The fix is simple: one paragraph for each bullet point, in the same order.
Running out of time in Reading Section 3
A student's timing on a practice test: Section 1 took 25 minutes, Section 2 took 22 minutes.
Going over the word limit in Listening
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS. The lost item is a ______.
Stopping too early in Speaking Part 2
You are asked to talk for 1 to 2 minutes. Many people stop after 40 seconds and wait. Use your 1 minute of preparation to note a few words for each point on the card. Then keep talking until the examiner stops you.
How we prepare you for IELTS General Training
We diagnose first
From your last score report or our diagnostic test, we find which skill is holding back your CLB level.
Letters that sound right
Formal, semi formal and friendly letters, marked every week.
NextBand Room
Reading practice between classes until the hour feels manageable.
Your roadmap
A week by week plan with your visa rules in it.
A finished score looks like this
This is an example in our own design, with the name hidden. Your result depends on where you start and the work you put in. What we promise is a clear plan and a teacher who reads your work properly.
CEFR C1
Our own design, for illustration. Not an official report.
IELTS General Training classes: prices
All classes are live on Microsoft Teams with Teacher J. Prices in US dollars, for 4 weeks. Every class package includes NextBand Room practice.
Other ways to prepare
Learn the method at your own pace, with tap-to-check answers.
Daily timed practice in the real exam format, with guided feedback.
Not sure which is right for you? Book a free 15-minute call or see all prices and class times.
Questions
Does Canada accept IELTS Academic for Express Entry?
No. For Express Entry, Canada accepts IELTS General Training, not IELTS Academic. Canada also does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry. Check the current list on the official Government of Canada website before you book.
Is General Training Reading easier than Academic?
The texts are more everyday, but the scoring is stricter. You need more correct answers in General Training Reading to get the same band as in Academic Reading.
How many words should my letter be?
At least 150 words. Aim for about 160 to 190. Writing much more does not earn extra marks and uses time you need for Task 2.
How long is an IELTS result valid?
Most organisations accept results for two years. Some ask for a more recent test, so check with the one you are applying to.
Start with the skill that is holding you back
Join a class, build your free roadmap first, or ask us anything.