Testing times for English teaching firm as it taps examination market

English learners in China who want to test their language proficiency for free can now look to Switzerland-based English training organization EF Education First, which announced on Wednesday that it will offer a standardized English test it claims is the first of its kind.

After four years of research and development, EFSET, as the test is called, is designed to stand on par with such proficiency tests as TOEFL and IELTS. The test is being offered for free in order to "support ongoing tracking of a student's learning".

A 50-minute EFSET can be delivered online to a tablet or a desktop device. The online test will adjust its content in response to the individual candidate's language proficiency. The results will be saved when the test ends and can be accessed anytime with a user account and password.