The appeal of IELTS as an English language screening test for universities and colleges continues to grow. There was considerable interest in IELTS at the launch of its new look in North America at the NAFSA Association of International Educators conference in May in Montréal, Québec.
The message that an IELTS score can be used in course applications to higher education institutions in the United States and Canada is clear and positively received, and there has been an escalation of interest in recognition of and demand for the exam. The recognition of IELTS
in North America has now reached record proportions.
Says IELTS International Executive Director, Beryl Meiron: ‘For students, the knowledge that IELTS scores are recognised by thousands of higher education institutions in over 100 countries as being a trusted and valid indicator of English language communication ability is very important.’
She says that the popularity of IELTS is very much to do with its availability. ‘IELTS is available in more than 300 test centres worldwide, and is offered up to four times a month. This makes it one of the most widely available English language tests’.
‘In addition’, she says ‘the organisations that rely on IELTS want reliable results as quickly as possible, and IELTS results are available within 13 days of taking the test.’