ETS was created by Henry Chauncey, a visionary who believed that lives could be revolutionised through access to quality education. A former assistant dean and scholarship committee chair at Harvard University, Chauncey saw standardised testing as a vital element for creating a merit-based society, instead of one centred on class and privilege. He was inspired by Harvard University President James Conant, who, in the late 1930s, had proposed the formation of a single entity devoted to research and testing that could “make fundamental contributions to the progress of education in the United States.”

Realising the wisdom of his words, Chauncey strove to give shape to this vision, and ETS was created in 1947 under his leadership, supported by the American Council on Education, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and the College Entrance Examination Board. He stayed on as the head of the organisation till 1970. During his tenure here, ETS designed and developed a broad array of testing programmes, designed for students and professionals. In 2002, just before he passed away, a reporter asked Chauncey whether he had ever taken the SAT®, ETS’ most popular product at the time. “No,” he replied. “I wasn’t going to take a chance.”

In the years since 1947 ETS has expanded beyond the frontiers of its parent country to enhance the quality of education available to people in various corners of the world. Today, ETS is known for its commitment to advancing learning and providing better educational and professional opportunities worldwide. From being a dream in one man’s mind it has become a world leader in educational assessment and research.

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