If your English is around upper-intermediate (CEFR B2, roughly IELTS 5.5–6) or higher, go straight to IELTS preparation. If you’re below that, start with General English. IELTS courses teach test strategy and assume your everyday English is already solid. Below B2, a few weeks of General English usually gets you to your target band faster, and more cheaply, than jumping straight into exam practice.
It’s one of the most common questions we get at enrolment. And the answer people want to hear, “go straight to IELTS, it’s faster,” is often the wrong one.
The key difference
General English builds your English: vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading and writing for real life. It runs at every level, from complete beginner to advanced.
IELTS preparation teaches you to perform on a specific test: question types, timing, scoring criteria, and strategies for each section. It assumes the underlying English is already there.
Think of it like driving. General English is learning to drive. IELTS preparation is learning the exact route and rules for your driving test. If you can’t drive yet, memorising the test route won’t help much.
A quick level check
| Your situation | Likely level | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| You struggle to follow conversations at normal speed | A2–B1 | General English |
| You can chat about familiar topics but get lost with unfamiliar ones | B1 | General English (usually 8–12 weeks), then IELTS |
| You understand most TV and conversations and can write a clear email | B2 | IELTS preparation |
| You’ve already scored IELTS 6 or higher | B2+ | IELTS preparation |
Levels use the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). For a quicker answer, take our free English level test. It takes a few minutes.
What happens if you start IELTS too early
We see the same pattern regularly. A student at B1 enrols in IELTS preparation because their visa or university deadline feels urgent. In the first week they learn the test format. By week three they know every question type. And their mock scores barely move.
That’s not because the strategies are wrong. It’s because strategy can’t make up for missing English. In IELTS Reading, you can learn exactly how True/False/Not Given works and still get it wrong if you don’t understand the paragraph. In Writing, a perfect essay structure doesn’t help if the grammar in every sentence breaks down.
The result is frustration, extra test fees, and often more total study time than if they’d started with General English.
What happens if you stay in General English too long
The opposite mistake happens too, though less often. Students at a solid B2 keep taking General English because it feels comfortable, then sit IELTS without knowing the format. They lose marks on things that are easy to fix: running out of time in Reading, writing under the word count, or giving one-sentence answers in Speaking.
If you’re at B2 and have a test date coming, switch to IELTS preparation.
The combined path most students take
For students starting around B1, the most reliable path usually looks like this:
- 1General English, about 8–12 weeks. Build grammar accuracy, vocabulary and listening speed. Aim to reach B2.
- 2IELTS preparation, about 4–8 weeks. Learn the test, practise under timed conditions, and get feedback on Writing and Speaking.
- 3Sit the test once your mock scores clear your target in every band.
At Boston Institute, you can move from General English into IELTS preparation any Monday, without waiting for a new term.
Which one does your goal need?
| Your goal | Target | Recommended path |
|---|---|---|
| Better English for work or daily life | No test | General English |
| Working holiday, better jobs | No test | General English |
| 482 visa | IELTS 5 in each band | IELTS prep if you’re B1+; General English first if not |
| PR (competent English) | IELTS 6 in each band | IELTS prep from B2; General English first below that |
| PR points (proficient or superior) | IELTS 7 or 8 in each band | IELTS prep, often with extra Writing and Speaking feedback |
| University admission | Often 6.5 overall with minimums per band | IELTS prep, plus EAP for academic skills |
For the exact visa scores, see our Australian visa English guide and our article on English points for the 189, 190 and 491 visas.
Does the same apply to PTE?
Yes. PTE preparation, like IELTS preparation, teaches test technique and assumes a solid base. If you’re below B2, General English first usually works better for PTE too. Our complete PTE Academic guide covers the test in detail, and our complete IELTS preparation guide does the same for IELTS.
What if you have a deadline?
Deadlines change the maths, but they don’t change the reality of your level.
If your deadline is under four weeks away and you’re at B1, think carefully about whether the target is realistic. Sometimes the better decision is to push the test date back and build your English properly, rather than paying for several attempts that fall short.
If your deadline is a few months away, the combined path above usually fits.
Our post on why General English is often the best starting point goes into this in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
Should I learn General English before IELTS?
If your English is below upper-intermediate (B2, roughly IELTS 5.5–6), yes. General English builds the base that IELTS strategies depend on. At B2 or above, go straight to IELTS preparation.
What’s the difference between General English and IELTS preparation?
General English builds your overall English for everyday life. IELTS preparation teaches the test format, question types, timing and scoring, and assumes your English is already at a good level.
How long should I study General English before IELTS?
Students starting around B1 usually need 8–12 weeks of General English to reach B2, then 4–8 weeks of IELTS preparation. Your placement test result gives a more accurate estimate.
Can I switch from General English to IELTS during my course?
At Boston Institute, yes. You can move into IELTS preparation on any Monday once your level is ready.
How do I know my English level?
Take a free English level test online, or sit our placement test when you enrol. Both give you a CEFR level.
Does this also apply to PTE?
Yes. PTE preparation also assumes a solid base, so General English first is usually better below B2.
Find your starting point
Boston Institute is a CRICOS-registered English school (provider code 04068C) at Level 1 & 2, 208 Clarence Street, Sydney CBD. We run General English from A1 to C1, and IELTS and PTE preparation, with new students starting every Monday.
Take our free English level test and find your level today, or apply now. Applying is free, and we’ll place you in the right class on your first day.
