IELTS warns fraudsters - 31 May 2011 

Claims that a small number of IELTS candidates from China are seeking to use imposters to sit their IELTS test in order to obtain their desired result has met with a harsh warning from the IELTS partners.  IELTS warned test candidates that if they attempt to present fraudulent identities to any IELTS test centre, they will be identified and action will be taken, James Shipton, Director of IELTS for China, said today.

Reports surface from time to time of fraudsters from mainland China seeking to make money from students who will pay an imposter.  “Students who pay large sums of money are attracted by exaggerated promises of IELTS results, yet they end up without results and are no more advanced in the process of developing the English language skills to ultimately succeed in a university or workplace where English is used,” James Shipton said.

Most IELTS candidates study hard to improve their English language skills, achieve the best possible result in their IELTS test and then pursue education, immigration or professional accreditation outcomes.

There will always be a small minority of people who seek to attain results that they haven’t earned.  IELTS test centres are on constant alert to identify people presenting a false identity before, during and after the test day.

“Cheating attempts are not widespread. However IELTS vigorously pursues instances of alleged cheating or other fraudulent activity, to protect the integrity of the IELTS test and the interests of legitimate test candidates.

James Shipton warned those students tempted to pay money to someone offering to be an imposter to be very mindful of the consequences of such actions.

“Around the world, IELTS works closely with relevant authorities, including immigration and law enforcement agencies, to prevent, identify and report any fraud attempts. In China, for example, IELTS issues life bans on any candidate identified as attempting to present a fraudulent identity” confirmed James Shipton.

With more than 20 years experience, the IELTS partners continually evolve security systems and procedures in order to ensure that multi-layered protocols address security risk across all test stages.  Given the sensitive nature of these measures, they are not disclosed publicly in detail.

IELTS is the most popular high stakes English language test in the world, recognised by 6,000 organisations in over 135 countries.  In 2010, more than 1.5 million IELTS tests were sat worldwide.

IELTS breaks the 1.5 million tests mark - 9 March 2011  

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.

Representing over 15 consecutive years of global growth, the number of tests taken has increased year-on-year annually since 1995.

North America followed by the Philippines and Hong Kong experienced the largest growth over the year, whilst China, Australia and India continue to retain their positions as the largest markets for IELTS.

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 continued.

IELTS provides a reliable measure of a candidate’s ability across the four skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Candidates cited the number one reason for taking the test in 2010 was in pursuit of entry into an academic institution, followed by migration purposes.

“IELTS continues to help change people’s lives as they look for opportunities around the world – whether that be 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,” Mr Pollock concluded.