IETLS English Test hits 1.5 million tests worldwide
IELTS has cemented its position as the world’s most popular high stakes English language test with latest figures revealing a record 1.5 million tests were taken around the world in 2010, the Malta Chamber of Commerce says.
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System, the world’s most popular high stakes English language test. 6,000 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.
In a press statement issued on Monday, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry as the local IELTS testing centre said that the number of tests taken has increased year-on-year annually since 1995.
In 2010, candidates from 48 countries have chosen Malta to take this test, particularly from China, South Korea and Russia. The majority of candidates sit for the test for higher education purposes, as well as immigration and due to employment reasons, it added.
“Year after year, IELTS also continues to attract more students to Malta,” said IELTS Administrator Chiara Attard. “As a comprehensive examination, IELTS offers a complete assessment for those candidates who need to enhance their English language skills.” Attard added that “Being in Valletta, candidates can find us easily, and the Exchange Buildings are suitably equipped for large numbers of candidates to take their examinations.”
Tony Pollock, Chief Executive of IDP: IELTS Australia, speaking on behalf of the three IELTS partners said, “We believe the increase in the number of IELTS tests taken can be attributed to two key factors. Firstly, we have seen greater test accessibility with 800 locations in 130 countries now available.
“There are also over 6,000 institutions globally that rely on the rigour and reliability of the IELTS test to make informed decisions where English language skills are a key requirement, including universities, employers, professional bodies and immigration authorities,” he said.
IELTS provides a reliable measure of a candidate’s ability across the four skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking.
“IELTS continues to help change people’s lives as they look for opportunities around the world – whether in education, for migration or employment. That’s why IELTS is a high stakes test and also why it’s so critical that the test continue to be a robust and rigorous measure of English language proficiency.
“With 1.5 million tests delivered last year, it is clear that the effectiveness of IELTS in this regard is acknowledged by both candidates and those who use and rely on the test alike,” Pollock concluded.
