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The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) reinforces its position as the world’s most popular high stakes English proficiency test, hitting a new record of more than 1.7 million tests sat around the world in 2011.
In the face of changing economic and migration conditions, IELTS has enjoyed 12% growth in number of tests sat in 2011 as compared to 2010 around the world. The latest figures marked the seventeenth year of continual growth in test numbers, with the number of tests taken tripling since 2005.
USA was the fastest growing market worldwide in 2011 with more than 50 test centres now open to candidates, while Canada also observed a significant rise in the number of tests taken in the past 12 months.
The East Asia region of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka was the second most significant growth market for IELTS in 2011.
Demand in China, India and Australia remained strong with these countries again administering the highest number of tests. IELTS also noted a significant increase across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
IELTS is now recognised by more than 7,000 organisations including educational institutions, employers, professional associations and governments, in 135 countries around the world.
British Council Sri Lanka Country Exams Manager Harriet Gardner, said that reasons cited by test takers for taking the IELTS test were entry into an academic institution, followed by migration purposes.
“For many, IELTS is a requirement for migration to Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom and the test can be taken in any one of 800 locations worldwide. Demand for IELTS in Sri Lanka remains very impressive, and has been powered by its extensive network of excellent test centres – it is available at British Council test centres in Colombo, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and Batticaloa,” said Gardner.
IELTS test content is developed by an international team of experts and undergoes extensive research to ensure the test remains fair and unbiased for any candidate regardless of nationality, background, gender, lifestyle or location.
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System, the world’s most popular high stakes English language test. 7,000 organisations recognise IELTS as a secure, valid and reliable indicator of true to life ability to communicate in English for education, immigration and professional accreditation. IELTS is jointly owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL).
