One only needs to read IELTS's policy documents, administration regime and business model to see that IELTS is a profit maximizing scam that deliberately sets most test takers up to fail. The independent research exists. People who ignore this are most likely be one of two people. IELTS sycophants (IELTS employees) who are identifiable by their large numbers of posts and championship member status. If someone has succeeded in their application for Canada, why are they still on this forum? People who passed, and yes IELTS do pass a small percentage on their first attempt, otherwise the scam would be too obvious. The other category is the "I'm alright Jack/Jill" types. I earned a pass, so I'm OK.
Last year the Chief Executive of IDP Education earned a $2,000,000 salary plus a $14,000,000 bonus. IDP Education claim that 60% of their earnings come via IELTS and 40% via student placements.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/idp-chief-andrew-barklas-14m-pay-cheque-draws-flak/news-story/f143341c29640377bb88c11e93e4f5ea
So the CEO of IELTS (not the Board, just one person) alone earned $9.6m last year just from IELTS. This money does not come from thin air. It comes for IDP Education's policy of failing people as many times as possible to maximize their share price and profits. Did you know that IDP Education trade migrants' futures on the stock market for maximum profits?
http://m.asx.com.au/m/company-info.xhtml?issuerCode=IEL