A recent LinkedIn post by a career counsellor at a prominent school in Islamabad has gained traction for highlighting instances of fake IELTS results being circulated by certain agencies and agents in the country.
“As a dedicated school counselor from Pakistan, I can attest to the immense effort we put into guiding our students toward meaningful educational opportunities abroad. We work with integrity and persistence to ensure our students represent Pakistan with pride and credibility,” said the post by Itrat Satti, senior career advisor, The City School.
“But unfortunately, the actions of a few deceitful agencies are undermining these efforts, damaging not only the reputations of individual students but also the overall perception of Pakistani applicants.”
Over 103,000 Pakistani students were studying abroad as of 2022, according to the latest available figures, with the UAE, UK, and Australia being the top study destinations for students from the South Asian country.
According to Satti, though most of these students are talented and hardworking, and “committed to earning their place through merit”, there are “bad eggs in the system trying to mislead them”.
“It’s time for us, as a collective community, to stand against them. We need to call them out, name and shame them, and protect the futures of our students along with our country’s credibility on the global stage,” said Satti.
Pakistan is home to one of the largest number of English speakers in the world, owing to its colonial history and vast population. However, this does not always translate to proficiency in the language.
With most universities in major study destinations, especially the big four, mandating a 6.0-7.0 IELTS score during admissions, stakeholders believe students face intense pressure in meeting the requirements.
The main reason behind IELTS score manipulation is the involvement of unethical agents who promise higher scores through fake documents and done-for-you’ services
Kousar Sharif, Nextage Institute IELTS and Coaching Centre
“The main reason behind IELTS score manipulation is the involvement of unethical agents who promise higher scores through fake documents and ‘done-for-you’ services, charging students extra fees,” Kousar Sharif, director at Lahore-based Nextage Institute IELTS and Coaching Centre, told The PIE News.
“These students, often facing intense pressure to meet language requirements, may turn to such practices rather than improving their English skills. As a result, their actual performance once enrolled abroad is usually weak, exposing the discrepancy between their claimed test results and genuine language ability.”
According to Sharif, certain agents “charge Rs.700,000 PKR for a 6.0 band score”, and even send candidates to the UAE for manipulated speaking tests.
“To address these issues, test-awarding bodies like IDP, the British Council, and Cambridge must strengthen their internal controls and hiring processes,” stated Sharif.
“This includes implementing advanced technologies to monitor staff activities and ensuring that all personnel involved in score handling are thoroughly vetted.”
The trend of ‘managed tests’, wherein agents fraudulently assist students to pass tests or receive high scores, has also emerged in Pakistan.
“Managed tests are conducted by using imposters instead of students attempting online exams circumventing exam security, especially in LRW sections.” said Dr Osamah Qureshi, director, Ireland Education Office, who has been overseeing English language tests over the past two decades.
“[The] problem is very much common in online exams with security loopholes and so most institutions started asking for centr- based exams, plus Duolingo is asking for secondary camera to attempt exam to improve exam security.”
Qureshi further added that most of these ‘managed tests’ were conducted for admissions in the UK.
Cases of fake scores have not escaped the notice of IDP, which has warned against ‘buying certificates’ and engaging with IELTS advertisements promising certificates without exams.
As per a British Council official, institutions are advised to always check results from prospective students using the IELTS Results Service.
“An increasing number of organisations are adopting e-delivery systems, where test results are sent directly to them. We are working with agents and universities to ensure students have access to the right information to support their journeys,” the official, who didn’t wish to be named, told The PIE.
Despite high inflation rates, dependence on IMF loans, and currency fluctuations, Pakistan’s rising middle class has led to an increased student demand in countries like the UK.
But such a development has its own disadvantages as Pakistan deals with cases of fraud involving study abroad firms.
Data obtained by the Express Tribune reveals that cases of fraud involving study abroad firms have surged by 20-35% across five major cities in Punjab over the past four years.
In 2024 alone, 1,409 complaints were recorded, with the highest percentage reported in Lahore, followed by Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan.
“The Higher Education Commission’s website clearly lists the names of verified universities. Unfortunately, many students take the assistance of fraudulent agents, who often guide them to unaccredited universities,” a spokesperson for the HEC, a statutory body under the government of Pakistan, told the Express Tribune.
“These agents may charge students extra money under the pretext of scholarships and misguide them on their admission process.”
