13 August 2010
Pearson announced today that the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (OFQUAL) has formally accredited Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) as a set of ESOL international qualifications.
ESOL International qualifications are designed for people who are not native speakers of English and who wish to achieve a high-quality, internationally recognised English language qualification.
PTE Academic covers the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) levels from Entry 2 to Level 3 and is suitable for candidates who are preparing for entry to further education or professional employment in the UK or another country.
“We are delighted OFQUAL has approved the PTE Academic test as a set of ESOL international qualifications” said Mark Anderson, President, Global Strategy and Business Development, Pearson International. “With recognition from government bodies and institutions worldwide growing rapidly since our launch in October 2009, it is great news to now have official accreditation from OFQUAL for our test.”
About OFQUAL
OFQUAL is an independent body that reports to parliament. Regulating qualifications, examinations and assessments in England and vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland, OFQUAL’s duty is ensure all learners get the results they deserve and that their qualifications are correctly valued now and in the future.
OFQUAL are responsible for maintaining standards, improving confidence and distributing information about qualifications and examinations. They formally recognise bodies that award qualifications and assessments, accredit their qualifications and monitor their activities (including their fees). They work closely with organisations like the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA), responsible for creating curricula and frameworks.