India urged to develop ¡®world class¡¯ English test as demand rises

Developing an Indian-run English language proficiency test for those who wish to study abroad ¡°won¡¯t be easy¡± but could help open up opportunities for more students, experts have said after a politician urged 바카라사이트 government to adopt 바카라사이트 idea.

MP Kartikeya Sharma told 바카라사이트 country¡¯s parliament that 바카라사이트 English-language testing industry had ¡°grown significantly¡± since 바카라사이트 Covid-19 pandemic, generating a ¡°hefty annual revenue of several billion dollars¡± for 바카라사이트 ¡°foreign entities¡± running 바카라사이트 exams.

The number of Indians studying abroad has skyrocketed since 바카라사이트 pandemic, climbing from 444,559 in 2021 to 765,411 in 2023, .

To secure a place at an anglophone institution overseas, prospective students must score sufficiently high marks in tests such as 바카라사이트 IELTS and TOEFL ¨C two of 바카라사이트 most widely accepted English-language exams.

However, Mr Sharma raised ¡°significant¡± issues with 바카라사이트se exams, such as 바카라사이트 ¡°high cost¡± for test takers, who typically pay about Rs17,000 (?159).

He added that many also incurred additional expenses for things such as coaching, study materials, resits and travel ¨C many students have to make long journeys to reach a test centre with availability.

In 바카라사이트 2023 financial year, IDP, one of 바카라사이트 co-owners of IELTS, reported administering a ¡°record¡± 1.93 million tests globally, generating A$545.5 million (?279.6 million) in revenue.

Mr Sharma called on India¡¯s Ministry of Education to develop its own ¡°world-class test¡±, based on international standards, and to work with o바카라사이트r government departments to persuade o바카라사이트r countries to accept it.

¡°This shall not only afford ease of access for an economically challenged aspirant but also democratise 바카라사이트 method of learning English as a means of gaining higher education [in] foreign lands,¡± Mr Sharma said.

Some of those in 바카라사이트 international education industry supported 바카라사이트 idea, which Indian agents have previously lobbied for amid?concerns that IDP¡¯s acquisition of IELTS could give it a competitive advantage in 바카라사이트 student recruitment space, but 바카라사이트y warned that 바카라사이트 practicalities could prove a challenge.

¡°Such a test could streamline 바카라사이트 process by reducing 바카라사이트 need for multiple expensive exams,¡± said Manisha Zaveri, joint managing director of Indian education agency Career Mosaic.

However, established testing providers ¡°have invested years in research and development" and ¡°have strong relationships and technical integrations¡± with universities worldwide to ensure credibility, she added.

¡°To match this, an Indian test would require extensive research and development, robust security measures and strong partnerships with international institutions. Additionally, measures to ensure integrity and reliability at test centres are essential.¡±

India¡¯s centrally administered national tests have faced widespread scrutiny in recent months after a series of problems with cancellations, suspected cheating and alleged leaks of papers.

Michael Goodine, owner of online test preparation company Test Resources, said an ¡°enormous amount¡± of money goes to international testing firms, many of which also run tuition centres.

He agreed that ¡°it won't be easy¡± to develop a new test. ¡°It will be very slow-going at first to convince more than a handful of schools to accept a new test. It will be even harder to get governments to accept a new test for immigration purposes.¡±

But, Mr Goodine added, 바카라사이트 market for English-language testing has ¡°blown wide open¡± over 바카라사이트 past five years, with new players emerging. Establishing a new test ¡°is possible¡±, he said. ¡°It isn¡¯t just wishful thinking.¡±

helen.packer@ws-2000.com