The different types of IELTS reading practice tests, specifically Academic and General Training, cater to distinct purposes and target audiences. Here’s how they differ:

Content and Topics:

Academic: The IELTS Academic reading practice test includes texts that are more complex and scholarly. These texts are taken from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers and are intended to reflect the type of reading material a student might encounter in a university course.
General Training: The IELTS General Training reading practice test, on the other hand, includes texts related to everyday life, work, and social situations. These texts are sourced from advertisements, company handbooks, official documents, and general interest magazines.

Text Length and Complexity:

Academic: The texts in an Academic IELTS reading practice test are typically longer and more challenging. They often involve detailed descriptions, intricate arguments, and advanced vocabulary.
General Training: The General Training IELTS reading practice test features shorter texts that are easier to understand and less complex. They focus on practical information and real-life scenarios.

Question Types:

Academic: The questions in an Academic IELTS reading practice test may require a deeper level of comprehension and interpretation, including tasks such as matching headings, completing summaries, and understanding detailed arguments.
General Training: The General Training IELTS reading practice test includes more straightforward question types, such as locating specific information, identifying main ideas, and simple comprehension questions.

Purpose and Audience:

Academic: This test is designed for individuals planning to pursue higher education or professional registration in an English-speaking environment. The reading practice tests aim to prepare candidates for the kind of reading they will do in an academic setting.
General Training: This test is intended for those who are going to English-speaking countries for secondary education, work experience, or training programs. It focuses on general survival skills in broad social and workplace contexts.

Scoring and Band Descriptors:

Academic: The scoring for the Academic IELTS reading practice test might be slightly different due to the higher difficulty level of the texts. The band descriptors for academic reading emphasize understanding complex ideas and detailed information.
General Training: The General Training IELTS reading practice test scoring considers the more accessible nature of the texts. The band descriptors focus on comprehension of general and specific information from everyday texts.