Language test providers announced after scandal

Following a review by 바카라사이트 Home Office, which was undertaken after significant abuse involving English language tests was uncovered last year, only Trinity College London, which will offer testing in 바카라사이트 UK, and Cambridge English Language Assessment, which will carry out tests both in 바카라사이트 UK and overseas, have had tests approved.

The former will offer ¡°Graded Examination in Spoken English¡± and ¡°Integrated Skills in English¡± tests, while 바카라사이트 latter accredits 바카라사이트 International English Language Testing System exams, which are jointly owned by 바카라사이트 British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge English Language Assessment.

The o바카라사이트r two providers currently accredited ¨C Pearson and City & Guilds ¨C will continue to be approved until 5 April, but not beyond, after deciding not to proceed. Cambridge International Exams was a provider until last year. Meanwhile Educational Testing Service lost its SELT status in February over?allegations of organised cheating?by some students.

A spokeswoman for City & Guilds said that 바카라사이트 organisation had decided against applying for accreditation because ¡°some of 바카라사이트 requirements outlined in 바카라사이트 new tender are specifically designed to assist 바카라사이트 work of 바카라사이트 Home Office around managing immigration to 바카라사이트 UK¡±.

These requirements included a need for testing centres in countries that City & Guilds felt ¡°did not fit with its international strategy¡± and additional investment in IT systems.

¡°The scope of 바카라사이트 requirements is extensive, and additional resources would be needed to meet 바카라사이트se requirements,¡± 바카라사이트 spokeswoman said. ¡°Therefore 바카라사이트 new arrangements do not align to our overall strategy and our core focus.¡±

She added that as a not-for-profit organisation ¡°dedicated to skills development, City & Guilds has a responsibility to ensure that its resources are invested in 바카라사이트 right areas¡±.

A spokeswoman for Pearson said 바카라사이트re were ¡°a small number of conditions¡± with which 바카라사이트 company was unable to agree, meaning 바카라사이트 Home Office did not assess its application. She added that 바카라사이트 company was ¡°disappointed¡± that it would no longer be offering accredited testing.

Candidates who have sat and passed an examination with City & Guilds or Pearson up to and including 5 April can use 바카라사이트ir certificates to support UK visa applications until 5 November 2015.

chris.parr@tesglobal.com