36年来首降！2026年雅思考试报名费降至1990元，低于托福

Group 1 - The official announcement from IELTS indicates a price reduction for the general IELTS exam and the IELTS exam for UK visa and immigration purposes in mainland China, effective from January 1, 2026, with fees dropping from 2170 yuan to 1990 yuan, a decrease of 180 yuan, marking the first price cut in 36 years [1][2] - The adjustment applies to core exam categories, while the fee for the IELTS Life Skills test remains unchanged at 1250 yuan. Additionally, the transfer and cancellation fees for all IELTS exams will be standardized at 380 yuan starting January 1, 2026 [2] - The price reduction is seen as beneficial for students who need to take the exam multiple times, potentially saving around 500 yuan for those applying for overseas undergraduate programs, while high school seniors preparing for the 2025 application deadline may not be significantly affected [2] Group 2 - Industry analysis suggests that the price cut is a strategic response to increasing competition from other language tests like TOEFL and Duolingo, which have been challenging IELTS's market position [3] - The price difference post-reduction will make IELTS approximately 110 yuan cheaper than TOEFL, which may influence undecided candidates' choices, especially with TOEFL's upcoming reforms aimed at improving efficiency and reducing difficulty [3] - The changing landscape of the study abroad market, where more U.S. institutions are accepting IELTS scores, has diminished the regional barriers between TOEFL and IELTS, making price a more significant competitive factor [4]