During 2007- 2008, PTE Academic was field tested to 10,402 candidates in 21 countries, including China, Korea, Japan, India and South Korea. Candidates were given the flexibility to schedule their test online and tests were delivered either by appointment or during special event days, via the Pearson VUE test centre delivery network.
Field testing has enabled Pearson to gather information about the technical functioning of the test administration hardware and software, to gather comprehensive information and feedback about a range of innovative and integrated item types and to obtain direct feedback on candidates’ experience and perception of the test.
Additionally, information was collected on aspects such as, gender, age distribution, the amount of contact participants had already had with English and the distribution of participants over countries of birth and citizenship. Of the candidates who took the field test, 70% were aged between 20-30 and 87% were non-native English speakers from over 158 countries of birth. Native speakers were included as part of the validation process.
A detailed survey of candidate reactions and perceptions has shown a positive response to the test, overall, over 82% of candidates said they’d recommend this test to their friends and colleagues.
White Paper - Pearson Test of English (PTE) global field test