IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the first English test in the world to test English ability from Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.

IELTS has become the world's most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and immigration, and is used by more than 140 countries and regions including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and emerging study destinations in Europe and Southeast Asia. Recognized by more than 11,000 educational institutions, employers, professional associations and government departments.

Nearly 300 Chinese colleges and universities use IELTS as the English proficiency assessment standard for admission screening, credit exchange, scholarship application, etc. Many domestic enterprises and institutions use IELTS as the language proficiency proof when recruiting.

IELTS test

IELTS is an English language proficiency test for those who intend to study or work in countries and regions where English is the language of communication.

Academic: suitable for studying abroad to apply for undergraduate, postgraduate and above degrees, or to obtain professional qualifications.

General: immigration applications from English-speaking countries (such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom) or applications for training and non-diploma courses.

1. Exam Structure

Academic:

Listening: 30 minutes + 10 minutes

Reading: 60 minutes

Writing: 60 minutes

Speaking: 11-14 minutes

General:

Listening: 30 minutes + 10 minutes

Reading: 60 minutes

Writing: 60 minutes

Speaking: 11-14 minutes

2. Exam Format

Paper-based test + person-to-person conversation, or computer-based test + person-to-person conversation.

3. Exam price

Price for IELTS exam varies from country to country. For instance in China it costs approximately 2170 RMB, in India it costs approximately 15,500 INR, in Canada it costs approximately $320 CAD.

IELTS for UK immigration and visas

Since April 2015, the UK Visa and Immigration Service has implemented a new SELT policy. The IELTS test for UK Visas and Immigration is a test administered by UK Visas and Immigration for certain types of UK visa applications.

1. Exam Structure

Academic:

Listening: 30 minutes + 10 minutes

Reading: 60 minutes

Writing: 60 minutes

Speaking: 11-14 minutes

General:

Listening: 30 minutes + 10 minutes

Reading: 60 minutes

Writing: 60 minutes

Speaking: 11-14 minutes

2. Exam Format

Academic: Paper-based test + person-to-person conversation, or computer-based test + person-to-person conversation.

General: Paper-based test + person-to-person conversation

3. Exam price

Price for exam varies from country to country. In China it costs 2220 RMB.

IELTS for Life Skills

The IELTS Life Skills test only tests the test takers' English speaking and listening skills, which are divided into CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) A1 and B1 levels. This test is designed to meet UK Visas and Immigration requirements for UK-specific visa applications.

Level A1: Applies to: Spouse, Visiting Family UK Visa Application

Level B1: Applies to: Naturalization, Permanent Residency UK Visa Application

1. Exam Structure

A1:

Speaking: 7-8 minutes

Listening: 9-10 minutes

B1:

Speaking: 10 minutes

Listening: 12 minutes

2. Exam Format

 Person-to-person conversation

3. Exam price

Price for exam varies from country to country. In China it costs 1350 RMB.