A new study called IELTS Voices 2026 has shared how people around the world plan their studies abroad. The research gathered views from 8395 English language test takers and prospective candidates. These people came from 165 countries. India had the largest group with 973 participants. For Indian respondents Canada came out as the most preferred international destination. Scroll the article to get more details.
Canada Leads the List for Indian Test Takers
30% of Indian respondents named Canada as their intended destination. Australia came next at 9% and the UK followed at 8%. The survey also looked at how long people plan to stay. Among Indian respondents taking IELTS for study purposes 41% said they intended to stay in their destination country for three to five years. For Chinese respondents this figure was 26%. Globally 42% of respondents taking IELTS for study purposes said they would consider more than one study destination. Across the world Australia was the most commonly considered destination at 18%. Canada stood at 17% while the UK reached 16%. The US was named by 9% and Germany by 6%.
Test Takers Want Recognition and Flexibility
The survey found that 82% of respondents globally would prioritise an English language test that is recognised as broadly as possible. Test takers were more than twice as likely to prefer choosing a test from an official list of government approved providers than taking a single government mandated test. 43% preferred a choice among approved providers while 20% preferred a single mandated test. Close to nine in 10 respondents or 89% said achieving successful outcomes was equally or more important than choosing the cheapest test option. Around 41% said they would select the test they believed offered the best chance of success even if it cost more. Simon Emmett who is Chief Partner Officer at IDP Education said the findings show that global test takers are ambitious and mobile. He said they want to keep their options open and invest in a test that gives them the greatest chance of success. He added that candidates often compare multiple pathways and requirements and he called for clearer and more consistent information on accepted English language tests.
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