PTE news

Hundreds of students and skilled migrants from around the world living in the Northern Territory will no longer have to travel interstate to take the required English language proficiency test to work or study thanks to a new test center which has now opened in Darwin.

The Pearson VUE Test Center, at the Group Training Northern Territory Facility on Woods Street, was officially opened by Northern Territory Minister for Workforce Training, the Hon Selena Uibo.

Supporting More Workers & International Students Moving to the Regions

Pearson is supporting the Federal Government and universities in attracting international students and skilled migrants to regional areas through the establishment of English language test centres in key locations.

Pearson owns, or partners with a number of university and education providers, to operate 31 test centres in Australia, including five in regional Australia.

The regional centers are; Geelong, Hobart, Darwin, and Cairns as well as a Pearson-owned center in Canberra, all regional centers are opening between August and October this year.

The company’s recent expansion has created several new jobs in regional Australia, and further expansion into regional areas including Newcastle and Townsville is planned.

Pearson’s head of PTE Academic, Asia Pacific, Sasha Hampson, said: “This growing demand is from an increase in the number of skilled migrant workers, as well as the Federal Government’s Destination Australia Program, launched in March this year.

“The program is a fantastic way to encourage more students and workers to some of the most beautiful parts of Australia while enjoying a high-quality learning experience.

“PTE Academic is approved by the Australian government for all visa applications and used by all Australian universities to assess international students’ English language proficiency.

“As an Artificial Intelligence-driven assessment, PTE A has changed the way people take language tests. It is the most accurate, secure and reliable in the market.

“Pearson test centers provide testing on a daily basis so there is no waiting periods for people to take a test and on average results are available in 1.2 days, making it the fastest test available.”

Check test fees and find local test centers near you.

Growing acceptance gives test takers more study options

Top ranking Belgian institution, Ghent University, is the latest in an increasing number of leading European institutions to accept PTE Academic. Other universities which have recently joined up to enable students to take this fast, fair, flexible, and accurate test of English include:

• Kuehne Logistics University in Germany

• Poznań University of Economics and Business in Poland

• The University of Agder in Norway

If your dream is to study in Europe, you can take PTE Academic to further your education in countries including the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.

About PTE Academic

PTE Academic is the world’s leading computer-based test of English for study abroad and immigration.

Typically, PTE Academic results are available within two business days. We run test sessions in over 117 countries around the world up to 365 days per year.

• Check out our full list of universities that accept PTE Academic.

• Find your nearest test center and view fees.

PTE Academic is an increasingly popular English proficiency test of choice for nurses and other healthcare professionals looking to open up possibilities for career advancement and exciting migration opportunities within their chosen vocation.

At a recent RPS Migration seminar for nurses, held in Singapore, I was given the opportunity to present on PTE Academic to the audience of nurses and healthcare professionals.

It was great to meet first hand these healthcare professionals, some of whom will take our test in order to turn their dreams into reality, and heartening to see the excitement in their eyes as they speak of their migration plans and life journey ahead.

Recognition work done by PTE Academic teams in Australia and globally have opened up audiences such as these healthcare professionals; with our test now recognized as a key ingredient and viable option in the path toward working abroad and permanent residency.

Key to this success is the Australian government recognition of PTE Academic scores toward work visa and migration applications. Following this and also of considerable importance is recognition of the test from numerous healthcare professional bodies.

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council’s (ANMAC) included PTE Academic as an accepted language test for nurses and midwives applying for a migration skills assessment in July 2016.

In the years since, PTE Academic has continued to expand its recognition and acceptance with healthcare bodies both in Australia and globally.

PTE Academic is now recognized by:

• Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

  Encompassing, The National Boards of: Chinese Medicine, Chiropractic, Dental, Medical, Medical Radiation Practice, Nursing and Midwifery, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Osteopathy, Paramedicine, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Psychology

• A growing number of State Boards of Nursing in the USA including Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas.

• Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board of New Zealand

Looking to the future we will be aiming to get recognition from ever more professional bodies, so that PTE Academic can continue to play its part in facilitating great adventures and bringing to fruition life-changing events for working professionals both young and old.

Gordon Vanstone, PTE Academic – Client Relations Manager for South East Asia (Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia) writes about how nurses and the healthcare profession are choosing PTE Academic.

Learn more about PTE Academic or check test date availability near you.

Earlier this week Pearson and UCL Institute of Education hosted an event to launch their three-year research partnership looking at the role of AI in English Language assessment. The event was held at UCL and was kicked off by a lively debate on the opportunities that AI offers to the field of educational assessment – as well as some of the challenges. I was joined by leading experts in the field of assessment who all gave their own unique take on this topic. To summarise:

Dr. Mary Richardson from UCL, who will be co-leading the research collaboration, emphasized the central values of truth, equity, and trust in the assessment. These values have been a continual challenge in traditional paper-based testing, so we must also ensure that in the emerging world of Automated and AI assessments. We establish public awareness, understanding, and trust that test takers are treated fairly, irrespective of their gender, race or location.

Dr. Bryan Maddox from the University of East Anglia continued with the theme of establishing validity in a new age of assessment. Bryan is an expert in the use of micro analytics to explore and analyze student interaction with assessments, which can then be fed back for test evaluation purposes. The considerable amount of process data that automated assessment offers rich research opportunities to use Micro-analytic methods (video ethnography, eye tracking, retrospective think-aloud). All well suited to demonstrate the validity and fairness of assessments in heterogeneous global AI test-taking populations.

I described how machine learning works, particularly in the skills of speaking and writing. I emphasized the importance of ensuring that assessment is not only reliable and accurate but just as important that they represent the full knowledge and skills of a subject. AI can do this, and therefore it opens up the opportunities for authentic, fair and fast assessment- globally.

Egypt, April 1st, 2021: On April 1st, 2021, Pearson-the world’s learning company, hosted a virtual launch of its PTE Secure English Language Test (SELT) at Misr University of Science and Technology, 6th of October City, Giza. These tests have been approved by the UK Home Office and are used for UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) purposes.

Ozhan Toktas, Managing Director at Pearson Middle East and Africa said: “Taking PTE is a seamless online experience. From booking a test up to 24 hours in advance to sitting the exam in 3 hours and getting your results back on average within 1.5 days. Most importantly it is a true reflection of one’s language ability and we are excited that people in Egypt can now take PTE to help them come to the UK to live, work or study.”

Sir Geoffrey Adams, British Ambassador to Egypt, said: “Many congratulations to Pearson for their virtual launch for the PTE Academic UKVI, Secure English Language Test. Education truly has the power to transform lives, which is why we are working at every level here in Egypt to increase access to quality education. It is great to see how Pearson has also been contributing to this cause – now with the launch of this new test, which will help more people to gain work and student visas and access a world-class education in the UK. The UK hosts the second largest number of international higher education students in the world, many of whom are Egyptian. PTE is a great addition to the options available for these students, and we look forward to strengthening our educational partnership with Egypt still further.”

Tests are delivered through the Pearson VUE test center network. Pearson VUE’s network of test centers have implemented proactive health and safety measures including, but not limited to, readily available hand sanitiser, increased sanitisation in high touch areas, and disinfected testing workstations (completed between each test-taker) to support the safety of testing candidates and staff. Face masks are required at all Pearson VUE-owned test centers.

This new location brings Pearson’s worldwide total of UKVI approved locations to over 190.  Pearson’s SELT tests are focused on immigration requirements and the details are as follows:

• PTE Academic (UKVI) – a four-skills language test accepted for work and study visas. It tests Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening skills.

• PTE Home – a two-skills language test accepted for family, settlement, citizenship applications as well as Sportsperson and Representative of an Overseas Business applications. It tests Speaking and Listening skills.

PTE Academic is one of the fastest-growing products in Pearson and is a strategic growth priority for the company, posting 17% growth in test volumes in 2019, before the pandemic. The test is already accepted by the UK, Australian, and New Zealand Governments for all visa applications. It is also accepted by 100% of Australian, New Zealand, and Irish universities and 99% of UK universities.

Note to Editors:

1. Learning is the most powerful force for change in the world. More than 20,000 Pearson employees deliver our products and services in nearly 200 countries, all working towards a common purpose – to help everyone achieve their potential through learning. We do that by providing high-quality, digital content and learning experiences, as well as assessments and qualifications that help people build their skills and grow with the world around them. We are the world’s leading learning company. Learn more at pearsonplc.com.

2. More information on PTE can be found at https://www.pearsonpte.com/.

3. PTE Home is a new, computer-based English test that supports individuals, families, and communities wishing to live, work or stay in the UK on their journey from arrival to settlement. Results are typically available within 48 hours, reducing the stress that can be associated with a long wait for results.

4. Pearson VUE has been a pioneer in the computer-based testing industry for decades, delivering more than 16 million certification and licensure exams annually in every industry from academia and admissions to IT and healthcare. We are the global leaders in developing and delivering high-stakes exams via the world’s most comprehensive network of nearly 20,000 test centers as well as online testing in over 180 countries. Our leadership in the assessment industry is a result of our collaborative partnerships with a broad range of clients, from leading technology firms to government and regulatory agencies. For more information, please visit https://home.pearsonvue.com/.

5. Under the UK Home Office commercial agreements Pearson will deliver a) SELT tests for those already in the UK, b) SELT tests for those in the rest of the world.

6. For more information on the UK Home Office Visa and Immigration process as well as the other test providers, visit the UK government website.

On November 25th 2020, Pearson–the world’s learning company hosted a virtual launch of its PTE Secure English Language Test (SELT) in Nigeria. These tests have been approved by the UK Home Office and are used for UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) purposes. 

SVP for English Assessment at Pearson, Freya Thomas Monk, says these tests offer a fast, fair and convenient choice for anyone who wishes to work, study or come to live in the UK.

Monk is excited about launching this product in the African continent and believes that this test will help many Nigeriens broaden their horizons and apply for opportunities in the UK. “The process is simple and brilliantly designed, interactive and most importantly a true reflection of one’s language ability. We look forward to growing on the continent.”

At the virtual launch, Ozhan Toktas, Pearson’s MD for Africa and the Middle East provided an overview of Pearson and the role the education institution will be playing in Africa going forward. He was joined by Monk who discussed the value of Pearson PTE. Alongside her, Pearson Head of Market Development Assessment, Muna Mazhar provided insights on UKVI SELT. Before the final Q&A, Deputy High Commissioner Ben Llewellyn-Jones reiterated the importance of these tests and assessments from a UK perspective.

Tests are delivered through the Pearson VUE test centre network. Pearson VUE’s network of test centres have implemented proactive health and safety measures including, but not limited to, readily available hand sanitiser, increased sanitisation in high touch areas, and disinfected testing workstations (completed between each test taker) to support the safety of testing candidates and staff.  Face masks are required at all Pearson VUE-owned test centres.

Monk says, “We continue to see high demand from test takers who want to book and deliver PTE as a Secure English Language Test, especially when it comes to applying for a UK Visa and Immigration purposes.”

This new location brings Pearson’s worldwide total of UKVI approved locations close to 150. Monk says this will help meet customer demand and give Nigerians more choice of test locations as they look to move to the UK to work, study or live.

Pearson’s Secure English Language Tests (SELT) are focused on immigration requirements and the details are as follows:  

• PTE Academic (UKVI) – a four-skills language test accepted for work and study visas. It tests Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening skills. 

• PTE Home – a two-skills language test accepted for family, settlement, citizenship applications as well as Sportsperson and Representative of an Overseas Business applications. It tests Speaking and Listening skills.  

PTE Academic is one of the fastest-growing products in Pearson and is a strategic growth priority for the company, posting 17% growth in test volumes last year. The test is already accepted by the Australian and New Zealand Governments for all visa applications. It is also accepted by 100% of Australian, New Zealand and Irish universities and 99% of UK universities.

Note to Editors: 

• Pearson is the world’s learning company with more than 22,500 employees operating in 70 countries. We provide content, assessment and digital services to learners, educational institutions, employers, governments and other partners globally. We are committed to helping equip learners with the skills they need to enhance their employability prospects and to succeed in the changing world of work. We believe that wherever learning flourishes, so do people. View more information about Pearson.

• PTE Home is a new, computer-based English test that supports individuals, families and communities wishing to live, work or stay in the UK on their journey from arrival to settlement. Results are typically available within 48 hours, reducing the stress that can be associated with a long wait for results

• Pearson VUE has been a pioneer in the computer-based testing industry for decades, delivering more than 16 million certification and licensure exams annually in every industry from academia and admissions to IT and healthcare. We are the global leaders in developing and delivering high-stakes exams via the world’s most comprehensive network of nearly 20,000 test centres as well as online testing in over 180 countries. Our leadership in the assessment industry is a result of our collaborative partnerships with a broad range of clients, from leading technology firms to government and regulatory agencies. View more information about Pearson VUE.

• Under the UK Home Office commercial agreements Pearson will deliver a) SELT tests for those already in the UK, b) SELT tests for those in the rest of the world

• Read more information on the UK Home Office Visa and Immigration process as well as the other test providers.

Visakhapatnam: Pearson, the world’s leading learning company, recently announced the launch of a new PTE Center, which will offer PTE Academic Test (Pearson Test of English) in the Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering (Autonomous) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, to cater to the demand of study abroad aspirants. The newly launched center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art facility security measures and will increase accessibility for a fast, flexible, secure, and unbiased exam for test-takers to ascertain their English language skills for the purpose of the study and work abroad.

PTE Academic is a computer-based language test, which is gaining immense popularity for providing the most accurate and impartial scoring results. To provide test score validity, all PTE Centers use state-of-the-art and industry-leading security measures such as digital biometrics, incorporating palm-scanning, secure paperless results, randomized test formats and CCTV, thereby ensuring aspirants test in a controlled and secure environment.

Commenting on the launch of the new center, Ramananda SG, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Pearson India, said: “Many students opt to study abroad every year from India and the number keeps increasing every year. English language proficiency exam plays a crucial role in providing a pathway to students aspiring to pursue higher education or work abroad. The new test center in Visakhapatnam is aligned with Pearson India’s aim to increase the reach of PTE Academic centers across India to offer easy, local access to a globally recognized, fast and reliable English language proficiency test for immigration and study abroad opportunities to aspirants. We are committed to delivering a world-class experience to our test takers and will continue to build a robust network of test centers across the country.”

PTE Academic is accepted by universities and colleges around the world including Harvard Business School, Yale University, INSEAD, and London Business School.  It is accepted by 100% of Australian and New Zealand universities and by a growing number in the USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, Singapore, and Germany. The test can also be used for all the UK, Australian and New Zealand visa and migration applications.

Check available test dates and book your test today.

Pearson has announced a second wave of locations, including India and the UK, where people can now take PTE as a Secure English Language Test (SELT) for UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) purposes.

Today the UK Government approved Pearson to open bookings for SELTs in a further 72 locations. This includes the first 8 centres in the UK and 15 centres in India as well as centres in Japan, Egypt, the Philippines, South Africa, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and Singapore, amongst others.

Bookings can be taken at all locations, with 57 of these locations open now to deliver testing, and the remaining 15 to open once individual COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. 

The tests will be delivered through the Pearson VUE test centre network. Pearson VUE test centres follow health and safety guidance provided by global health organizations and local governments. Amid COVID-19, the test centres operate with increased disinfecting and hygienic procedures and additional social distancing measures to support the safety of testing candidates and staff. 

Pearson’s SELT tests are as follows: 

• PTE Academic (UKVI)– a four-skills language test accepted for work and study visas. It tests speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.

• PTE Home– a two skills language test accepted for family, settlement, citizenship applications as well as Sportsperson and Representative of an Overseas Business applications. It tests speaking and listening skills.

Today’s news follows our announcement last month of the first wave of locations to start delivering SELT. It is expected that all remaining SELT testing locations will become operational this summer.

Read more information on the UK Home Office Visas and Immigration process.