中国最贵的英语考试，开始闹破产了

Core Insights - The IELTS examination, while a significant financial burden for many students, is facing severe financial difficulties, particularly for the British Council, one of its main organizers, which may face bankruptcy within a decade if no government intervention occurs [4][25]. Pricing and Financial Dynamics - The IELTS exam fees have consistently increased over the years, with a total of eight price hikes from 2011 to 2020, reaching 2,170 RMB in 2020, making it one of the most expensive exams globally [7][10]. - 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, with a recovery to £704 million in 2024 [20][25]. - 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 [20]. Market Position and Competition - The British Council and IDP Education jointly operate the IELTS, with the British Council dominating the Chinese market, which has been the largest for IELTS for 13 consecutive years [17][5]. - IDP Education has seen significant growth in its IELTS business, with revenues rising from AUD 326 million to AUD 511 million, although it faced a decline in 2024 [33]. Operational Challenges - The British Council has faced continuous financial losses from 2022 to 2024, with a net loss of £66 million in 2024 and negative free reserves of £4.3 million [26]. - Efforts to mitigate financial strain included layoffs and selling off parts of its business, such as the Indian IELTS operations to IDP Education [30][33]. Future Outlook - The British Council's financial struggles may lead to increased examination fees for students as the organization seeks to cover its operational costs [34][35].