The Future of English-Language Testing for International Students  

English-language tests are a milestone for international students. These tests aren’t merely a means to be accepted onto a course, they’re a stepping stone in a person’s career—and a life achievement. 

In the 2021–22 academic year, 463,315 sponsored study visas were awarded to international students in the United Kingdom. Not only was this figure a substantial increase following the pandemic, it was the highest ever on record. Meanwhile in the United States, more than one million international students were enrolled in college courses in 2021. That’s roughly 4.6 percent of the entire student population in the country. 

Studying in English has always been an attractive option to international students. It comes with the opportunity to attend some of the best higher education institutions in the world and potentially secure work in English-speaking locations afterward. English-proficiency tests are an inherent part of the process, so it’s no surprise that the market is predicted to be worth $27.8 billion by 2030.  

But testing must meet, and evolve with, the recent increased demand. It must accommodate students in different contexts and ensure that the doors to international study are open to everyone. How? It starts with embracing new technology and doubling down on test provider credibility. 

These will be the pillars of English-language testing in the near future. 

Provider credibility will be key. 

As more international students look to certify their English level, the test market will likely become saturated with providers, and not all of them will be of the same caliber. One tip to help inform a student’s choice of English test is to prioritize government and higher education accredited providers.  

In addition to the provider’s reputation, there are many factors that higher education institutions consider when reviewing a new English-language exam. These include access to the exam across modalities, availability, results validation, and security.  

Skills for English is a result of a partnership between the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and PSI, a global testing provider, delivering 22 million tests a year in over 160 countries. When the test is taken at a Home Office-approved test center, the results are accepted by the UK Home Office for UK Visa and Immigration purposes. It is one of only four Secure English Language Tests (SELT) that can be taken at Home Office-approved test centers outside of the UK. Skills for English is also aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). 

Technology will make English-language testing more accessible. 

The pandemic accelerated the shift to at-home English-proficiency testing. It brought unexpected advantages, like taking the test in a more comfortable and convenient environment. Many test takers no longer had to pay to commute to test centers and benefited from the flexible scheduling of the online proctored tests. 

Still, the strategy doesn’t have to be 100 percent technology-led. Providers can choose to combine tech capabilities and manual reviewing for a more human touch. For instance, Skills for English has auto-marked reading and listening sections, but the test’s speaking and writing sections are marked by qualified and trained markers. With this combined approach, the results turnaround is between three and five days.  

Technology can also make digital testing more inclusive. Tools like color contrasting, screen magnification, braille translators, and image alt text increase accessibility for all students and help them fairly showcase their English.  

However, at-home testing can create gaps in security, particularly in terms of test exposure and fraudulent behavior. Likewise, people in different locations may have limited internet connectivity. This has the potential to disrupt how they navigate tests and upload responses.  

Security measures will become more sophisticated. 

To combat security threats, test providers must invest in robust software and training that enables them to recognize if a malicious actor is at play and prevent students’ work being affected.  

In a traditional test setting, an exam proctor plays two vital roles: They ensure the test taker is comfortable throughout the examination process, and they protect the integrity of the test results.  

With online testing, where the test taker is remote and proctoring delivered online, combining a great test-taker experience with robust test security is more complex.  

In the approach PSI took for Skills for English, secure test development and delivery extend beyond the technology platform. Successful security and test result integrity involves every facet of the assessment journey. It's an end-to-end concern involving people, processes, and support. 

The range of mechanisms and interventions employed to deliver Skills for English covers both prevention and detection of risks and infringements, extending from test development, through test delivery, incident tracking and reporting to data forensics.

Feedback and practice are keys for success.  

There are many factors that can impact a test taker’s performance on an English test. Pass rates are often used as an indicator of performance, but test takers’ English-language level at the time of test taking is the most accurate indicator of performance. The test taker’s actual level of English proficiency might drive the perception of a test difficulty; if someone’s proficiency is not at the level tested, this would impact their performance. Critical elements that attest to the credibility of a test is the rigor in developing the content to ensure validity and reliability, and the alignment to a scale that defines the expected levels, like the CEFR.  

So what can the test takers do to ensure they get the result they need? The answer is simple: practice! 

If a student doesn’t pass an English-proficiency exam on the first try, feedback is essential to help them improve. Understanding their current level of English and the skills they have to practice in order to achieve the result they need is a vital step in their journey. One way to set themselves up for success is to make the most of the information and resources made available by the test providers. These should include sample and practice tests, information sheets, and explanatory videos.  

It’s Time for Providers to Focus on the Future

As global education grows, so too must the English-language testing behind it. The ongoing surge in international study is a moment for English-proficiency providers to update their tech, diversify modes of delivery, and deliver on the double promise of security and reliability. Doing so will better serve international students, plus nurture the next generation of intelligent, diverse communities in English-speaking locations.  •

Skills for English is a suite of English language tests developed in partnership between the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and PSI, a global leader in test delivery, conducting 22 million high-stakes tests in over 160 countries a year through its network of test centers and industry-leading online proctoring solution. 

Skills for English is accepted as proof of English level by a growing number of universities and higher education institutions internationally, including in the United States. To accept Skills for English for your institution or to arrange a meeting, email [email protected].