Record breaking 7 million Cambridge English exams were conducted in 2019

United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have seen exponential growth in the past year

Cambridge Assessment English, a part of the University of Cambridge has reported more than 7 million Cambridge English exams were conducted last year by ambitious people around the world. As United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have seen exponential growth in the past year, more and more people are interested in learning and improving their English skills in schools and at work, both online and in classrooms.

The Cambridge English exams are developed by Cambridge Assessment English a department of Cambridge University. The exams include the world-famous Cambridge English Qualifications such as B2 First and C1 Advanced, as well as IELTS, and a range of tests for young learners, teachers and the workplace. Most recently the Cambridge English exams have been joined by Linguaskill, a ground-breaking test that uses Artificial Intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies in language assessment.

Francesca Woodward, Chief Executive of Cambridge Assessment English explains, “We’re seeing huge growth in the number of people taking Cambridge English exams from primary school students to ambitious professionals working in English-speaking environments. Demand is growing because people know they are getting the skills they need for the real world and a valuable certificate from a department of Cambridge University.”

She continues: “Our mission is to help people to learn English and prove their skills to the world. We do this by providing exams and learning support that motivates and rewards learning at every level and focuses on the communication skills that people need in real life.”

The Cambridge English exams test the key English language skills at different levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages – which is the international standard of language learning ability. Key benefits of the Cambridge English exams include both online and the face-to-face speaking test which ensures that candidates develop real-life communication skills and the fact that they cover the major varieties of English, including US, Australian and British accents. The exams are also backed by world-class research to ensure they are fit for purpose, valid and reliable.

At the end of last year, it was announced that a record-breaking 25,000 organisations accept Cambridge English exams as proof of English language ability. This includes wide recognition in the higher education sector, along with business and government departments worldwide. Big names to recognise the exams include top US and Canadian institutions, all universities in Australia, New Zealand and in the UK, as well as immigration authorities across the English-speaking world. At local level, several top universities in the United Arab Emirates, such as Zayed University, American University of Dubai, American University of Sharjah or King Abdulaziz University Saudi Arabia, American University of Bahrain are recognizing Cambridge English exams for student’s admission. They are also used for recruitment by top international companies such as Air France, Adidas, BP, Ernst & Young, Hewlett-Packard, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft and at local level by companies such as Etisalat, Sanofi Pharmaceuticals or National Bank of Egypt.

Nassim Abu-Ershaed, Regional Commercial Head at Cambridge Assessment English said: “We’re seeing huge growth in the demand for English language exams right across the Middle East from primary school students to ambitious professionals working in English-speaking environments. We are particularly excited about the number of companies which are taking English language seriously, and our Linguaskill tests are proving enormously successful in this context. Cambridge Assessment English runs its work in the Middle East and Africa from a dedicated office in Dubai, staffed by experts in language assessment as well as business specialists and in the past one year our business has taken an exponential growth path, due to enormous interest in learning English and improving such skills in the Arab countries.”

Cambridge Assessment English helps millions of people learn English and prove their skills to the world. Cambridge English provides the world’s leading range of qualifications and tests for learners and teachers of English and been providing English language assessment since 1913. The qualifications and tests are accepted by over 25,000 organizations worldwide, and provide the English language skills to communicate and succeed in the real world. Millions of people take Cambridge English qualifications and tests every year, from over 130 countries, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia being two of the latest fastest growing and priority countries in the Middle East & Africa Region. The Cambridge English exams can be taken at over 2,800 authorized exam centres and there are also 50,000 preparation centres worldwide where ambitious candidates can prepare for the exams.

About Cambridge Assessment English

Cambridge Assessment English is part of the University of Cambridge. They help millions of people learn English and prove their skills to the world. They provide the world’s leading range of qualifications and tests for learners and teachers of English.