The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) reinforces its position as the world’s most popular English proficiency test for higher education and global migration, with a record of two million tests taken around the world in the last 12 months.
The two million test figure represents 11% growth in the number of tests taken in the last 12 months and marks the eighteenth year of consecutive growth in IELTS test numbers.
The growth in test numbers also reflects the strong growth in the number of organizations turning to IELTS to meet their needs for language proficiency assessment. IELTS is now accepted by more than 8,000 educational institutions, employers, professional associations and governments in 135 countries around the world – including over 3,000 institutions and programs in the USA.
Making the announcement from the IELTS booth at the NAFSA conference in St. Louis, Missouri – Zach Johnson, CEO at IELTS USA said “of the two million tests, the numbers of people taking IELTS to go to the US continues to grow and all of the Top 25 US universities accepting foreign students accept IELTS as proof of English proficiency.”
Globally, the demand for IELTS in countries such as China, India, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Turkey has remained high, with students taking the test for entry to educational institutions in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and USA, among many other destinations.
Tim Hood, Regional Head of Exams at British Council Egypt says “Egyptians have a reputation for valuing education very highly and they don’t compromise on quality. It is therefore not surprising that so many of them choose IELTS when travelling overseas to study or work, or to enter the AUC in Cairo. The British Council cares deeply about the success of everyone who applies to take IELTS with us, which is why we are constantly adding new ways to prepare for the test, such as our new online course, Road to IELTS.”
IELTS tests are available up to four times a month in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Mansoura, Port Said and Tanta in Egypt.
IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System, the world’s most popular English language proficiency test with two million tests taken in the last year. Over 8,000 organizations trust and accept 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 Cambridge English Language Assessment.
British Council is the UK's international organization for education and cultural relations. Dedicated to building trust through the exchange of knowledge between people worldwide, the British Council is represented in over 100 countries.
IDP: IELTS Australia, a subsidiary of IDP Education, is one of the world’s leading international education organizations offering student placement in Australia, the USA and the UK. IDP Education has 40 years’ experience in international higher education, placing more than 32,000 students every year.
Cambridge English Language Assessment is the world's leading provider of exams for learners of English. Each year the exams are taken by more than 4 million people, in 135 countries.
IELTS USA is the U.S. division of IELTS located in Los Angeles, CA, responsible for U.S. stakeholder relations, as well as the management and delivery of the IELTS test centre network throughout the USA.
About the test
Candidates are tested in listening, reading, writing and speaking. All tests are scored on a banded system from 1 (the lowest) through to 9 (the highest possible band score).
IELTS offers a choice of two versions, to serve both academic and non-academic purposes. IELTS Academic measures English language proficiency needed for an academic, higher learning environment. The tasks and texts are accessible to all test-takers, irrespective of their subject focus. IELTS General Training measures English language proficiency in a practical, everyday context. The tasks and texts reflect both workplace and social situations. General Training is suitable for immigration purposes to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
A sample of government and professional associations who recognize or require applicants to hold an IELTS test result include:
- Citizenship and Immigration Canada
- Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)
- UK Home Office – Border Agency (UKBA)
- Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools and National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), USA
- International Monetary Fund
For further media information please contact: brian.lobo@britishcouncil.org or stephen.carey@britishcouncil.org