Singapore, Australia, France and Sweden are witnessing an
increasing volume of score reports from Indian TOEFL test takers and emerging
as new destinations of interest, according to the Educational Testing Service
(ETS).
The top two destinations for TOEFL test takers in Bharat since 2017
have been United States and Canada.
Till 2019, Germany was at the third spot and UK at the fourth spot.
However, from 2020 onwards, the two countries have switched positions.
“While the top five countries chosen by Indian TOEFL test takers
have remained nearly consistent over the last 5-6 years. Apart from the top
destination countries, emerging countries for Indian test takers include
Singapore, Australia, France, and Sweden. These countries have seen an
increasing volume of score reports from Indian test takers,” said Sachin Jain,
the Country Manager of ETS India and South Asia.
The Princeton-based ETS, which conducts the Test of English as a
Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Graduate Record Examination (GRE), said the trend
reflects shifting aspirations of people.
Jain said the percentage of Indians taking TOEFL to pursue
secondary education and certifications abroad has seen a gradual increase over
the years while those taking the test for immigration purpose has declined.
According to data, the percentage of Indian test takers for
licensure, certification or to attend secondary school abroad, has gone up from
5.83 per cent of the total aspirants in 2021 to 7.77 per cent in 2022.
During the same period, the percentage of Indian test takers taking
TOEFL for employment or immigration has declined from 8.19 per cent to 7.22 per
cent.
The data showed that the percentage of Indians taking TOEFL to
attend graduate or postgraduate programmes has increased from 70.84 per cent in
2021 to 71.87 per cent in 2022.
There was a 53 per cent growth in Indian TOEFL test takers in 2021
compared to the previous year. In 2022, the number of test takers saw a 59 per
cent rise over 2021.
The top cities in India with the highest number of test takers are
New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Gurugram, Chennai, Kolkata and
Ahmedabad.
Starting July 26, ETS executed a series of changes in the English
language proficiency test to create an optimal experience for those taking it.
Reducing the duration to less than two hours instead of three and
allowing the candidates to be able to see their official score release date
upon completion of the test were among a few of the changes.
PTI
