IELTS-General or Academic?

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>Hello guys! I'm new here so I hope I posted this in the right place!
I'm a freshman from Qatar, I'd like to study mechanical engineering. (Penn State, Purdue are my top choices for now..)
As an international student I'm required to show my proficiency in English through either TOEFL or IELTS.
I'm wondering if I should take the IELTS academic training or general training?
I know the academic one is more challenging but browsing through some universities' websites, the only one was that specifically asked for the IELTS academic module was Penn State.
Will they accept the general training? Or is it just encouraged to take the academic one for all universities?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>No, they will not accept general - when universities ask for the IELTS, they imply “academic”. (“general” doesn’t involve the same tasks and is similar to the TOEIC).</p>