IELTS

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is jointly managed by the British Council, Cambridge Assessment English, and IDP. It is the most widely accepted English proficiency test for study and migration in the UK, Australia, and Canada, and is also recognized by most US institutions. The test has two versions: Academic (for undergraduate/postgraduate applications) and General Training (for migration/work). Each of the four skills is scored from 0 to 9, with the overall score being the average. For Chinese test takers, the speaking test is a face-to-face interview with a real examiner, the writing tasks are academic essays, and the listening section includes various British and Australian accents. It is considered one of the most comprehensive tests of English ability. The computer-based test (IELTS on computer) offers faster results and more test dates, while the paper-based test retains the traditional handwriting experience. Most UK undergraduate programs require an overall score of 6.0–7.0 with no band below 5.5–6.5, while top graduate programs often require 7.0+. It is recommended to treat IELTS as a long-term English proficiency building process rather than short-term cramming.