Qualifications and Assessments International

What Qualifications and Assessments International does

Qualifications and Assessments International (QAI) is a UK-headquartered, non-regulated international provider of assessments, professional programmes, and courses, founded in 2011. The company operates from Chiswick Park, London, and runs a wholly-owned Indian subsidiary, Qualifications and Assessments India Private Limited, based in Gurugram. It serves individual learners, working professionals, teachers, and institutions across 26+ countries, with a cumulative footprint of more than 75,140 tests administered and 25,700 certifications issued, supported by a network of 45+ international experts.

QAI's core offering is a portfolio of proprietary assessment products, including the GETS suite of English language tests mapped to the CEFR and UK RQF, the ZQ (Future Readiness Quotient), the TERM (Teaching Excellence) instrument, the CIFR framework, and a QAI Level 4 Diploma in Caregiving. These are delivered through a platform that uses AI/ML-based adaptive assessment technology for item selection and scoring, alongside an AI-driven Employability Skills Test. The GETS Higher test has been independently benchmarked by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC), which underpins its positioning against regulated UK English-testing competitors.

The business monetises across five streams: assessment/testing fees, professional programmes, certification, research and consultancy, and healthcare training. Distribution combines direct-to-institution sales with public-private partnership channels, most notably a 2024 empanelment as a Training Partner with India's National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and a healthcare training collaboration with NSDC International and Zamit India. Leadership includes former senior executives from Edexcel, Cambridge Assessment, and IGNOU, which the company leverages as a credibility asset in regulated and quasi-regulated education markets.

Name

Qualifications and Assessments International

Legal name

Qualifications and Assessments International

Website

https://theqai.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Qualifications and Assessments International is a UK-based provider of proprietary assessments, professional programmes, and certifications — including English (GETS), future-readiness (ZQ), and teaching (TERM) — serving learners, teachers, and institutions across 26+ countries via a London HQ and India subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Assessment and Certification Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Assessment, Certification & Qualifications Frameworks (BPADAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Diagnostic & Adaptive Assessment Content (Skills/Readiness) (EDAGADAJ), Test Item Banks, Question Authoring & Assessment Design Tools (EDAFADAC), Assessment-Integrated eLearning & Practice Modules (EDAGAEAE)

Keywords

• English language assessment
• Adaptive testing technology
• Skills certification programmes
• Future readiness measurement
• Professional development courses

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Assessment and Testing Services: Fees generated from English language proficiency assessments (GETS Higher, GETS Placement, GETS for School, GETS Nursing), future readiness quotients (ZQ), teaching excellence measurement (TERM), and employability skills testing. Assessments are offered as paper-based tests and computer-delivered adaptive formats.
2. Professional Programmes and Courses: Revenue from professional programmes and courses mapped to RQF including International Certificate in Employability Skills, International Certificate in Language Proficiency and Professional Skills, International English Certificates, and CPD programmes for teachers. Delivered as blended learning with self-learning materials and interactive experiences.
3. Certification Services: Fees from certification including QAI UK International Certificates, GETS Higher English proficiency certification, ZQ Report for future readiness, and programme completion certificates (Pass 40-59%, Merit 60-74%, Distinction 75%+).
4. Research and Consultancy: Consulting services for development of international frameworks, global measurement scales, and custom programmes and courses for institutions, corporations, education boards and government bodies.
5. Healthcare Training Programmes: Specialised training programmes for international job opportunities in healthcare sector including QAI Level 4 Diploma in Caregiving and Midwifery, preparing individuals for NHS positions in the UK.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

QAI UK provides international programmes, courses, assessments, credit for prior learning and consulting services focused on Skills and Knowledge Integrated Measurement and Learning for Students, Adult Learners, and Job-seekers, and Teaching Excellence and Relevance Management for Teachers and Trainers. Its assessment suite includes the AI/ML adaptive GETS English language assessments (GETS Placement, GETS for School, GETS Higher, GETS Nursing), the ZQ future-readiness tool, and the TERM teaching excellence tool, all mapped to global standards such as CEFR and CIFR. Professional programmes and courses are mapped to the RQF of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with custom programme development for institutions, corporate organisations, and government bodies.

Product overview

QAI offers a unified platform of research-based assessments and professional programmes mapped to global standards. The core assessment products include the GETS suite (GETS Placement, GETS for School, GETS Higher, GETS Nursing) for English language proficiency mapped to CEFR, and ZQ and TERM for measuring future readiness skills mapped to CIFR. The portfolio also includes the GETS Scale of English and CIFR framework. Professional programmes span English language courses (A2-B1, B1-B2 levels), employability skills certificates, language proficiency and professional skills programmes, CLIL training, and the QAI Level 4 International Diploma in Caregiving. All offerings are designed for blended delivery with both paper-based and computer-delivered adaptive testing options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GETS (Global English Testing System): Suite of English language assessments including GETS Placement, GETS for School, GETS Higher, and GETS Nursing. Mapped to CEFR standards.
• ZQ (Zamit Quotient)
• TERM (Teaching Excellence and Relevance Management)
• InCert Programme

Products and services

• GETS Placement Internet-based quick diagnostic English language test that uses a proprietary AI model to deliver personalised and adaptive test experiences with instant results mapped to CEFR.
• GETS for School English language certificate focusing on CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) in addition to general English and speaking module, suitable for students ages 7 years and above, with scores mapped to CEFR; offered as paper-based and computer-delivered tests.
• GETS Higher English language assessment covering Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, independently benchmarked by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) with scores comparable to CEFR; offered as paper-based and computer-delivered tests.
• GETS Nursing Specific purpose English language assessment for nurses and para-medical professionals covering Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, with scores mapped to CEFR; offered as paper-based and computer-delivered tests.
• ZQ (Zamit Quotient) Research-based measurement and analysis tool of future-ready skills for school students, measuring over 60 skills across nine dimensions with scores mapped to the CIFR framework.
• TERM (Teaching Excellence and Relevance Management) Research-based measurement and analysis tool of teaching skills, measuring over 70 skills across nine dimensions with scores mapped to CIFR.
• International Employability Skills Test AI-driven international employability skills test with domain-specific questions that adapt to test-taker performance and provide instant results mapped to CIFR for Future Readiness.
• International Certificate in Employability Skills 100-hour blended learning programme to develop 21st-century skills for job seekers and working professionals, focused on competencies defined by CIFR.
• International Certificate in Language Proficiency and Professional Skills 240-hour programme combining English language skills with over 50 professional skills for career building or start-ups, delivering QAI UK certificate along with GETS Higher and ZQ Report.
• International English Certificate (A2-B1) 120-hour blended learning programme to enhance listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills following CEFR from A2 to B1 level.
• International English Certificate (B1-B2) 120-hour blended learning programme to enhance English language skills following CEFR from B1 to B2 level.
• International Spoken English Certificate (A2-B1) 120-hour programme focused on developing spoken communication skills for English-speaking environments, mapped to A2-B1 CEFR level.
• Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) CPD Programme CPD programme introducing dual-focused educational approach for teaching academic subjects through an additional language, promoting 21st-century skills.
• QAI Level 4 International Diploma in Caregiving Professional diploma for international health and caregiving careers, focusing on skills for NHS positions, care workers, and midwives in the UK.
• QAI-NSDC Healthcare Project Training and certification programme for international job opportunities in healthcare, operated under MoU with NSDC International and QAI UK partnership, preparing individuals for UK NHS positions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75,140+ tests conducted
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• NSDC (National Skills Development Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQAI UK is empanelled by NSDC as a Training Partner to train and certify individuals for national and international job opportunities. NSDC operates as a unique Public Private Partnership (PPP) model under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The partnership aims to empower India's youth through comprehensive skill development and strategic partnerships.
• NSDC InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSDC International is a 100% subsidiary of NSDC promoting Skill India International objectives. It aims to make India a global source for quality talent, provide global job opportunities for resident Indians, provide global career mobility for overseas Indians, and create an internationally benchmarked quality skills ecosystem. QAI Healthcare Project operates in India under an MoU with NSDC International.
• Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC)majorTechnology or IntegrationEcctis independently benchmarks the GETS Higher English language proficiency assessment and certification. Scores have been found comparable to CEFR. Ecctis is a trusted provider of solutions and services in international education, training, and skills to governments, awarding organisations, and education providers around the world, supporting global portability of programmes and courses for over 25 years.
• Zamit India Pvt. Ltd.majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe QAI Healthcare Project operates in India under an MoU with Zamit India Pvt. Ltd. Zamit is the in-country implementation partner for QAI UK. Zamit provides platforms for ZQ (Future Readiness Quotient) for students and TERM (Teaching Excellence) measurements.
• CIFR OrganisationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQAI developed the Common International Framework of Reference for Future Readiness (CIFR) in partnership with international experts from the CIFR Organisation. CIFR serves as the global standard for measurement, improvement and impact analysis of future ready skills for Learners, Teachers and Jobseekers. ZQ and TERM are results of deep research conducted by international experts of the CIFR organisation.
• Planet EDUmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerQAI is associated with Planet EDU through its founder/CEO Sanjay Malaviya who is also Chief Executive of Planet EDU. Planet EDU runs the EDUConvEx series of conferences. Payal Mathur is associated with Planet EDU as part of their training and academic delivery arm and is on the Strategic Group of Planet EDU.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Duolingo English Test: AI-adaptive, on-demand, low-cost English proficiency test accepted by thousands of institutions. Directly comparable to QAI's adaptive GETS offering on technology and online delivery model, and represents the price-disruptive frontier QAI must defend against.

Broad incumbents

• Pearson Edexcel: One of the UK's largest regulated awarding bodies, offering academic and vocational qualifications mapped to RQF. Compares to QAI on qualifications-framework offering and RQF mapping, but at vastly greater scale and regulatory standing; QAI's CEO John Kerr is a former Edexcel CEO.
• British Council: UK international cultural and educational body co-owning IELTS and delivering English assessments globally. Directly comparable to QAI on English assessment delivery and international education, but at significantly greater scale, brand recognition, and government relationships.
• City & Guilds: UK-regulated awarding body offering vocational and professional qualifications mapped to RQF. Comparable to QAI's professional programmes and CPD portfolio for teachers, but with regulated status and significantly larger institutional reach.
• Educational Testing Service (ETS): US-based non-profit that develops and administers standardised tests (TOEFL, GRE, Praxis). Comparable to QAI on adaptive assessment design and large-scale test delivery infrastructure, but operates at vastly greater scale and with deeper institutional acceptance lists.

Direct peers

• LanguageCert (PeopleCert): Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation offering English language certifications for academic, professional, and migration purposes. Directly comparable to QAI's GETS suite, particularly for migration and professional registration use cases; benefits from regulated status QAI lacks.
• IELTS (IDP Education / British Council / Cambridge): The dominant international English proficiency test for higher education and immigration, co-owned by IDP, British Council, and Cambridge. Directly competes with GETS Higher for the same test-taker pool, particularly among international students and healthcare migrants.
• TOEFL (Educational Testing Service / ETS): ETS's flagship English proficiency assessment, widely accepted by universities and immigration authorities globally. Competes with QAI's GETS suite for English-language certification of international students and job-seekers, especially in the US-bound market.
• Pearson PTE Academic: Pearson's AI-scored, computer-delivered English proficiency test accepted for study and migration. Directly comparable to QAI's adaptive AI-powered GETS Higher on technology architecture and target customer (international students and migrants seeking English certification).
• Cambridge Assessment English (University of Cambridge): Part of the University of Cambridge, offers globally recognised English proficiency assessments (B2 First, C1 Advanced, IELTS co-ownership) and assessment design tools. Directly comparable to QAI's GETS suite on English proficiency, and several QAI leaders (Payal Mathur, Zita Reszler) came from Cambridge ESOL.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/qualificationsandassessmentsinternational

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Qualifications and Assessments International