爆丑闻全球退款1.4亿？被称复购率最高“英国奢侈品”害惨多少中国留子

Core Points - IELTS has acknowledged a significant error due to a "technical fault" that led to systematic misjudgment of scores, affecting test-takers from August 2023 to September 2025, with score changes ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 points [1][5] - The incident is expected to impact around 70,000 candidates, with potential refund amounts reaching 140 million yuan [2][5] - The error has raised concerns about the reliability of the IELTS system, as even a small score change can have substantial implications for candidates' academic futures [5][11] Company and Industry Summary - The IELTS exam, which has seen its registration fee increase from 1550 yuan to 2170 yuan over the past decade, is now facing scrutiny due to its pricing structure and perceived inequities in score distribution [17][21] - The British Council, the sole official operator of IELTS in mainland China, is reportedly facing a financial crisis, with three consecutive years of losses and a warning of potential disappearance within a decade if government intervention does not occur [27][28] - IDP Education, another key player in the IELTS ecosystem, has reported an 18% decline in test volume and a 15% drop in testing revenue, although it has attempted to offset losses through price increases [27][28] - The IELTS exam is still the most widely recognized English proficiency test globally, particularly in Commonwealth countries, with approximately 2.3 million tests conducted annually [23][29] - In response to the recent issues, IELTS has announced its first price reduction in 36 years, lowering the registration fee in mainland China from 2170 yuan to 1990 yuan starting January 2026 [31]