雅思(IELTS,/ˈaɪ.ɛlts/),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。

IELTS于1989年设立,由英国文化协会、剑桥大学考试委员会和澳大利亚教育国际开发署(IDP)共同举办,其中剑桥大学负责有关学术水平及试题内容,而IDP及英国文化协会负责于世界各地定期举办考试。考生可以选择学术类测试(A类,Academic)和培训类测试(G类,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。

雅思考试包括四个部分,依次为听力、阅读、写作和口语,考试时间共2小时45分钟。每一部分都独立评分,四部分得分的平均分作为考生的雅思综合得分(小数部分取舍到最近的一分或半分,即如果平均分为6.125分,雅思得分算作6分)。成绩单上将列出考生每一部分的得分,同时给出考生的综合得分。雅思考试满分为9分。考试成绩在考试后十个工作日后通知考生。成绩有效期为两年。

雅思考试(国际英语语言测试系统)是听说读写四项英语交流能力的测试。为打算在以英语作为交流语言的国家或地区学习或工作的人们设置的英语语言水平考试。雅思考试自1989年进入中国,至今已经拥有超过20年的历史,是一项经历过考验,可以被信赖的英语考试。它在全球范围内提供了一种可靠并权威的考试方法,以测试考生在真实的语言环境中用英语进行沟通的能力。2011年,雅思考试在全球范围内共举办170万次考试,较之2010年增长12%,创下历史新高,进一步奠定了雅思全球最受欢迎高端英语语言考试的地位。这是雅思考试场次连续17年实现增长,自2005年以来已翻了三倍。

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,相比之下托福则更注重北美英语(美国英语、加拿大英语)。因此更多的人和组织认为雅思比托福更具有权威性(特别是不在美国的人)。雅思测试包括:听、说、读、写的能力。两种模式可供选择: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设。培训类测试则是为那些计划开始非学术性的训练,获得工作经验,或者以移民为目的的人士而设。每种语言技巧都有相应的分数(听,说,读,写)。总分的范围从1(不懂英语)到9(母语专家程度),如果缺考、白卷或者因作弊被取消成绩,则为0分。

还有全英文版本的介绍,更加准确,还可以锻炼你的英语:

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication.

IELTS is jointly managed by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia. IELTS conforms to the highest international standards of language assessment.

IELTS is recognised by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. It is also recognised by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies.

Where can I take IELTS?

More than 400 test centers around the world administer IELTS. Most test centers are run by the British Council, IELTS Australia, or universities and language schools. Some testing centers also offer off-site testing for large groups by prior arrangement with IELTS. Contact your local examination center or visit to find out where the nearest IELTS test center is located.

Where can I find information about registering for the test?
You can contact your nearest examination center or visit the official IELTS website for more information about application procedures and the location of a test center near you.

The Test Format

There are four sub-tests, or modules, to the IELTS test: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Students must sit all four sub-tests. While all students take the same Listening and Speaking tests, they sit different Reading and Writing tests, depending on whether they have selected the Academic IELTS test or the General Training IELTS test.

The Speaking test may even take place a day or two later at some centres.

IELTS listening test lasts for about 30 minutes. It consists of four sections, played on cassette tape, in order of increasing difficulty. Each section might be a dialogue or a monologue. The test is played once only, and the questions for each section must be answered while listening, although time is given for students to check their answers.

IELTS Reading test lasts for 60 minutes. Students are given an Academic Reading test, or a General Training Reading test. Both tests consist of three sections, and in both tests the sections are in order of increasing difficulty.

IELTS Writing test also lasts for 60 minutes. Again, students take either an Academic test, or a General Training test. Students must perform two writing tasks, which require different styles of writing. There is no choice of question topics.

IELTS Speaking test consists of a one-to-one interview with a specially trained examiner. The examiner will lead the candidate through the three parts of the test:

An introduction and interview, an individual long turn where the candidate speaks for one or two minutes on a particular topic, and a two-way discussion thematically linked to the individual long turn. This interview will last for approximately 11-14 minutes.