Job Discussion Forums

[scot47]

Is there much of a demand for the IELTS Exam in Turkey ?

[windstar]

Not so much. Mostly students -grads or undergrads who are going to study in the UK are interested as a part of their admission. For state employees, they have a kind of incentive for their knowledge on a foreign language which is KPDS or something like that.

[FGT]

In Izmir the uptake of IELTS seems to be slow but steady. There are not enough accredited examiners to cope with the demand.

Everybody knows about TOEFL and thinks they need it (whatever their cumstances) often erronously. This is by far the most popular exam.

TOEIC is gaining in popularity, particularly amongst bankers who get a significant wage increase if successful.

IELTS has its followers, not just for British unis but also people wanting to emigrate to eg Australia.

Then there is KPDS and other Turkish exams which I think are dubious but they still have their followers, some employers insist on them.

Further down the scale; FCE hardly happens anymore. PET, KET and YLE increase every year.

[scot47]

It is gaining popularity in the Gulf. Main customers are :

1.Locals who are going to UK or "White Commonwealth" for training or education.
2.Contract employees, mainly from the Subcontinent, "Pilipinas" and the other Arab Lands, working here who are lured by the "Promised Lands" of Australia, Canada and even the UKofGB&NI. Lots of nurses and other medical staff, including doctors.

[flutterbayou]

TOEFL is Turkey's preferred exam, by both employers and universities.

[scot47]

That used to be the case only a few years back in KSA too. The times they are a-changing !

[scot47]

Last year IELTS was taken as an exam one million times. That does not mean a million candidates, since some peopkle take the exm twice or more. It is still an impressive number. I wonder what percentage were ion China !