GALWAY, IRELAND - 2026-08-25
Alison has set a new monthly record for assessing Learners in July 2026, with 313,499 people completing their courses and then taking an assessment in a single month. The milestone reflects a growing commitment among Learners not only to finish their courses, but also to measure what they have learnt and build confidence in their skills.
Completing Courses Is No Longer the Finish Line
Completing a course is an important milestone, but learning doesn't end when the final lesson does. The real value comes from understanding what people have taken away from it.
That's why Alison's latest milestone is significant. It shows people wanted to measure their learning. Rather than assuming they had learnt enough, they took the extra step to confirm what they knew, identify where they could improve, and leave with greater confidence in the skills they had built.
The record also reflects a broader shift in how people approach learning. As more Learners invest their time in developing skills for work and life, simply completing a course is no longer the only goal. Increasingly, people want reassurance that they can apply what they have learnt, and assessments provide a way to turn learning into measurable progress.
Clearer Progress Builds Confidence for the Next Step
Assessments give Learners an opportunity to confirm what they know while highlighting topics they may want to revisit. They transform learning from something completed into something demonstrated, helping people recognise both their progress and their potential.
Whether someone is preparing for a new career, strengthening existing skills, or exploring a new subject, assessing their knowledge provides a clearer understanding of where they stand and what they can build on next. As more people turn to online learning to develop skills, milestones like this suggest that Learners increasingly value not only access to education, but also the opportunity to test what they know along the way.
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About Alison
Alison is a global leader in free online learning and skills development. With over 50 million registered Learners across 193 countries (as of October 2025), Alison empowers individuals, communities, and organisations to upskill quickly and effectively – at zero cost.
The Alison platform provides immediate access to over 6,000 free, CPD-accredited courses, covering essential areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Business Operations, Healthcare and Sustainability. Courses are created by a mix of independent experts and global leaders, including IBM, Stanford and Microsoft.
For organisations, Alison offers a Free Learning Management System (LMS) that enables unlimited Learners to access thousands of courses with no upfront cost. A premium version with advanced analytics and customisation is also available. Alison's offering includes a full suite of assessments and psychometric tools, including a Workplace Personality Assessment, Mental Health & Wellbeing Assessment, English Language Proficiency Test, as well as Numerical, Verbal, and Abstract Reasoning tests.
To further support career development, Learners also gain access to a Career Guide, a Resumé Builder, and the ability to study offline through the Alison App. The platform is also expanding its reach with multilingual versions, starting with complete Spanish, French, and Hindi offerings — reaffirming its mission to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Founded in 2007, Alison pioneered the concept of free, large-scale online learning and is recognised as the world’s first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform. Today, its mission continues: to break down barriers to learning, helping people gain skills, build confidence, and improve their lives — no matter where they live or what they earn.
