Calling on the Home Office to ensure that only tried and tested systems with high levels of security and quality control are recognised for this purpose, Cambridge ESOL said those abusing the visa system are not necessarily those with low English language skills.
Cambridge ESOL CEO Michael Milanovic said, "We recognise the need for a well regulated student visa system, but there is little evidence to suggest that the people who are abusing the system are predominantly those with a very low level of English-language skills".
He added, "I am concerned that changes could prove unfair to a large number of genuine students, particularly those who are at an early stage in their language learning."
Cambridge ESOL, a department of the University of Cambridge, provides secure, fit-for purpose exams taken by over 3 million people every year.
It is committed to making a positive contribution to a fair, effective system for managing student migration so that bona fide students are able to gain visas while excluding bogus applicants.
Milanovic said, "Language assessment plays a key role in this process. Its effectiveness depends not only on the selection of appropriate tests, but on a rigorous end-to-end system for managing the assessment process".