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IELTS General Training training

The IELTS General Training is the version of the IELTS suited to work, immigration and pre-university courses in an English-speaking country. It assesses your four English skills on a scale of 1 to 9.

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IELTS General Training

01

What is the IELTS General Training?

The IELTS General Training is one of the variants of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), co-managed by the British Council, the University of Cambridge and IDP Education Australia. Recognised in 140 countries and by more than 12,500 organisations, it is among the most respected tests in the world.

It is particularly aimed at people planning a career in an English-speaking environment, professionals seeking career progression and candidates for pre-university courses.

The IELTS General Training is valid for two years once obtained.

03

The IELTS General Training tests

The IELTS General is made up of four tests assessing the four core skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Listening

30 min

Four audio recordings (conversations and monologues, everyday and academic or professional contexts), followed by a variety of questions (multiple choice, sentence completion, matching, diagram completion).

Reading

60 min · 40 questions

Four or five short texts (factual or work-related topics) and one long text of general interest. Assesses your ability to grasp key ideas, details, nuances and the authors' intentions.

Writing

60 min · 2 parts

Two writing tasks:

Part 1— write a letter (request for information or explanation), min. 150 words
Part 2— an argumentative essay, min. 250 words

Speaking

10 to 14 min

A face-to-face interview with an examiner in 3 parts: personal questions (4-5 min), a talk on a given topic (1 min of preparation, 2 min, then questions), in-depth discussion (4-5 min).

04

Understanding the scoring

Each IELTS test is graded on a scale of 1 to 9 (band score). An average of the four tests gives the final score, also from 1 to 9.

Each score corresponds to a level of proficiency, from band 1 (Non user) to band 9 (Expert user):

Band score

CEFR level

0 Did not attempt the test

1 Non user

2 Intermittent user

3 Extremely limited user

4 Limited user

5 Modest user

6 Competent user

7 Good user

8 Very good user

9 Expert user

Depending on the company or organisation you are aiming for, a minimum overall score may be required: check it before committing. Results are available about 13 days after a paper test, or 1 to 5 working days after a computer test. You can retake the test as many times as necessary.

05

How to prepare for the IELTS General Training?

As with any language exam, succeeding in the IELTS General requires regular preparation: getting familiar with the format, understanding the expectations of each section and managing your time. Train with exam topics and mock tests across the four skills.

The PrepMyFuture IELTS General training includes a mini-test, 4 mock tests, 78 lesson sheets and 1,700 questions, in French and English. If you are applying to a university, opt instead for the IELTS Academic preparation; for an overview, see the IELTS overview.

06

How to register for the exam?

To register for the IELTS General, there are three options: with an exam centre approved by the British Council, via the IELTS platform or on the British Council portal.

You will need to provide a copy of a valid ID document, identical to the one presented on the day of the exam (any change must be reported to the British Council at least 72 hours beforehand). As places are limited, book your date 2 to 3 months in advance.

07

Where can you take the test?

The IELTS test is taken at an approved exam centre. In France, nine cities host sessions: Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Nice and Nantes. Depending on the centre, the test is offered on paper or on computer.

In Lyon, Marseille and Nantes, all the tests are grouped on a single day (usually Saturday); in Paris, they may be spread over several days. The IELTS can also be taken remotely, but this option is not accepted for immigration procedures.

08

Why take the IELTS General Training?

In a professional context, the IELTS General opens the doors of international companies, which generally require a score between 4.0 and 7.0 depending on the role.

For immigration candidates, it is often a fundamental requirement: the immigration services of English-speaking countries set minimum scores depending on the type of visa.

On the academic side, English-speaking pre-university courses often require a minimum score. And even at national level, the IELTS enhances your CV by demonstrating your ability to operate in an international environment.

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Tips to succeed in the IELTS General Training

Success relies on structured, methodical preparation. Beyond language skills, get familiar with the test format and practise managing your time. Set up a study schedule over several weeks, with targeted exercises and mock tests under real conditions.

01

Listening: immerse yourself daily in podcasts, programmes and documentaries in English to get used to accents and speech rates.

02

Reading: regularly read a variety of sources (international press, specialised articles, literature).

03

Writing: practise the required formats, respecting the length and timing yourself.

04

Speaking: talk with native speakers, join conversation groups or work with a trainer; regularity develops fluency and pronunciation.

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