The biggest threat to the English testing sector, particularly...

The biggest threat to the English testing sector, particularly IELTS, is the PTE exam developed by Pearson, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Although PTE is currently experiencing modest single-digit growth, it remains a significant disruptor to IELTS. Many Chinese students perceive IELTS invigilators and examiners as biased, with some even alleging racial discrimination. In fact, a few years ago, ABC News reported on a related IELTS scandal. While most universities still officially recognise IELTS, the PTE exam is rapidly gaining traction. Its appeal lies in its AI-based, non-biased scoring system, which offers non-native English speakers a fairer chance to achieve higher scores—an important advantage for those seeking to maximise their points under Australia’s immigration matrix system.