【明報專訊】Every time I sit for an IELTS exam, my brain screams ''financial extortion''. I am probably not alone in this. Currently priced at HKD2200 or more, IELTS is a common requirement of English proficiency for various purposes: university entry, job applications and immigration to English speaking countries. As of 2017, it is recognised by over 10,000 organisations and governments in more than 140 countries. The test, similar in content to its counterparts like TOFEL, is unique in one regard: its results expire every two years, regardless of one's initial scores. Exemptions are rarely, if ever, granted. Given IELTS's popularity among institutions, it is almost unavoidable for people in certain professions to take multiple IELTS tests over the years.