中国最贵的英语考试，开始闹破产了

Core Insights - The British Council, one of the main organizers of the IELTS exam, is facing severe financial difficulties and may disappear within a decade if government intervention does not occur [1][16][21] Group 1: Financial Situation of the British Council - The British Council's revenue from teaching and exams peaked at £727 million in the 2016-2019 fiscal years but plummeted to £448 million in the 2021 fiscal year due to the pandemic, representing a nearly 40% decline [12] - By the 2024 fiscal year, the British Council's net loss was £66 million, with its available reserves falling to negative £4.3 million, indicating a critical financial state [17] - The organization has been increasingly reliant on IELTS exam revenues, which accounted for 71.2% of total income in 2024, the highest proportion in a decade [13] Group 2: IELTS Exam Market Dynamics - The IELTS exam is a significant global business, with 4 million tests conducted annually, 23% of which are from China and the US [9] - The IELTS exam fees have consistently increased, with the cost in mainland China currently at ¥2,170, making it one of the highest globally [8] - The British Council has lost its competitive edge in the Indian market to IDP Education, which has seen a significant increase in IELTS revenue, highlighting the competitive pressures in the market [24] Group 3: Impact of COVID-19 - The pandemic caused a halt in in-person IELTS exams, leading to substantial financial losses for the British Council, which had to maintain operational costs despite reduced income [16][21] - The British Council's attempts to recover included layoffs and selling off parts of its business, but these measures have not sufficiently stabilized its financial situation [21][24]