There are two types of IELTS: Academic and General Training, both on them focuses on different aspect that helps people who are non-native English speakers. Here listening and speaking is same for the both but for reading and writing the course is different. Depending on the context of their aim of giving IELTS the section differs from one another.
Academic Training focuses on the people who are going abroad for their higher studies, so the training emphasizes on academic language and tries to make you ready to begin your studies.
General Training is for the people who plan on going to the country where English is the way for communication. It can be either for migration or for work purpose. It helps prepares them for the language skills that they will require while working or training there.