中国最贵的英语考试，开始闹破产了？

Core Viewpoint - The British Council, one of the main organizers of the IELTS exam, is facing severe financial difficulties and may face bankruptcy within a decade if government intervention does not occur [3][26]. Group 1: IELTS Examination and Financial Implications - The IELTS exam has become a high-cost, low-return endeavor for many Chinese students, with registration fees increasing steadily over the years, reaching 2,170 RMB in 2020, making it one of the most expensive exams globally [11][15]. - The British Council's revenue from teaching and examinations peaked at £727 million in the 2016-2019 fiscal years but plummeted to £448 million in 2021 due to the pandemic, before rebounding to £704 million in 2024 [21][22]. - The British Council's reliance on IELTS for revenue has increased, with teaching and examination income accounting for 71.2% of total revenue in 2024, the highest in a decade [22]. Group 2: Business Operations and Market Dynamics - The IELTS exam is operated by a partnership involving Cambridge Assessment, the British Council, and IDP Education, with the British Council holding exclusive operational rights in mainland China [18][29]. - China has been the largest market for IELTS for 13 consecutive years, contributing significantly to the overall examination volume, which reached 4 million globally, with 23% from China and the US [21][5]. - IDP Education has announced plans to enter the Chinese market directly, which could further strain the British Council's financial position as it loses market share [29]. Group 3: Financial Struggles of the British Council - The British Council's financial health deteriorated significantly during the pandemic, leading to a net loss of £66 million in 2024 and a negative reserve of £4.3 million [28]. - The organization has attempted various cost-cutting measures, including layoffs and selling off parts of its business, such as its IELTS operations in India to IDP Education [28][13]. - The British Council is now heavily indebted, having taken a £260 million commercial loan that requires annual interest payments of £14 million, further complicating its financial recovery [28][12].