IELTS is the International English Language Testing System which tests English proficiency across the globe. Conducting 1.7 million tests globally, IELTS is the world’s most popular English testing system.
It is the test that opens doors to a world of academic and professional opportunity in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, USA and many other places around the world where English is a language in the workplace or the classroom.
IELTS respects international diversity and is fair to anyone who sits the test, regardless of nationality. You can choose from two types of IELTS test: Academic or General Training, depending on whether you want to study, work or migrate. Both modules are made up of four parts – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
Why take the IELTS exam?
The world speaks IELTS
Educational institutions, along with employers and government immigration agencies, require proof of English language skills as part of their recruitment or admittance procedures. Increasingly, these organisations are choosing IELTS.
Worldwide recognition for study, work and immigration
IELTS is owned by Cambridge ESOL. Over 1.4 million people a year use IELTS to open doors throughout the English-speaking world and beyond. IELTS is recognised by more than 6,000 organisations worldwide.
Widely available
The tests are available in more than 130 countries in over 800 locations, with test dates available up to four times a month.
Fit for purpose
The IELTS test comes in two modules:
- Academic – this module is for people wishing to study in English at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and for those seeking professional registration
- General Training – this module is for people wishing to migrate to an English-speaking country (e.g. Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK), and for those wishing to train or study in English at below degree level.
Candidates are tested in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking tests. There is a choice between Academic and General Training in the Reading and Writing tests.
Meaningful result
The IELTS scoring system is recognised globally, giving you a truly international result. Test takers receive a score of 0–9, with 0 being for those who did not attempt the test, and 9 being for the most proficient users. Most universities accept scores between 6–7 as being suitable for undergraduate study in English.
Reliable, secure test
The IELTS 9-band score system grades scores consistently. It is secure, benchmarked and understood worldwide. Test materials are designed carefully so that every version of the test is of a comparable level of difficulty.
What does the IELTS examination involve?
There are four papers covering reading, writing, listening and speaking.
The listening and speaking sections are the same for both the Academic and General Training.
| Academic | Test Time | Test Format |
| Reading Paper | 1 hour |
|
| Writing Paper | 1 hour |
|
| Listening Paper | Approx. 30 minutes |
|
| Speaking Paper | Approx. 15 minutes |
|
| General Training | Test Time | Test Format |
| Reading Paper | 1 hour |
|
| Writing Paper | 1 hour |
|
| Listening Paper | Approx. 30 minutes |
|
| Speaking Paper | Approx. 15 minutes |
|
The IELTS Exam
雅思（IELTS），全称为国际英语测试系统（International English Language Testing System），是著名的国际性英语标准化水平测试之一，其中剑桥大学负责有关学术水平及试题内容。考生可以选择学术类测试（Academic）和培训类测试（General Training）。雅思成绩被英国、爱尔兰以及澳大利亚、加拿大、新西兰、南非等英联邦的许多教育机构，以及越来越多的美国教育机构及各种各样的专业组织接受。雅思考试成绩的有效期限为两年。
雅思集合下列几项特色：
- 多种口音和写作风格在书面上出现，其目的是为了减少考试对语言学上的偏爱。考试注重的是国际英语，在听力测试中表现的最为显著，听力测试的口音主要包括了英国口音、美国口音、澳洲口音及新西兰口音等类型，相比之下托福 （TOFEL）则更注重北美英语。因此更多的人和组织认为雅思比托福更具有权威性。
- 雅思测试包括：听、说、读、写的能力。
- 二种模式可供选择，学术类（A）和培训类（G）。
- 学术类测试是为那些想进入大学或其它高等教育机构的人士而設。
- 培训类测试則是为那些计划开始非学术性的训练，获得工作经验，或者以移民為目的的人士而設。
- 每种语言技巧都有相应的分数（听，说，读，写）。
在世界范围内，国际性大學一般要求非本地新生雅思成績需達6.5或以上时方才取錄，而一些知名學府如劍橋大學和牛津大學，更要求成績達7.0分或以上，因为此成绩可以证明学生的英语水平可以接受。
