Pearson Advances English Language Assessment with Enhanced PTE Test

LONDON - July 17, 2024 – Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), the world’s leading learning company, has achieved a new recognition for PTE Academic. The Canadian Nurse Regulators Collaborative (CNRC) recommended that PTE Academic is included in the accepted tests for internationally trained nurses applying for registration in Canada.

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic is a two-hour, computer-based exam taken in a test center environment that assesses four key English language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Recognized by nursing associations worldwide, including the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in the US, PTE Academic supports nurses seeking to apply their skills internationally.

"We are thrilled with this recognition, which underscores our commitment to helping aspiring professionals to demonstrate their English proficiency. PTE Academic’s inclusion will support nurses in contributing their valuable skills to the Canadian healthcare system,” added Shileen Costain, Senior Director, Global Stakeholder Relations - PTE.

Earlier this year, Pearson demonstrated its dedication to supporting Canada’s immigration and professional sectors with the launch of PTE Core. Approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent economic immigration and citizenship applications, PTE Core has been available for bookings since January 30, 2024, and is designed to support Canada’s specific migration needs.

About Pearson

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our approximately 18,000 employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's lifelong learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. Visit us at pearsonplc.com.

Media Contact: Ellen Clark ellen.clark@pearson.com

LONDON - January 30, 2024 – Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), the world’s leading learning company, today announced that bookings are now open for PTE Core, its newest English language proficiency test. PTE Core received approval from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) last year and can now be taken to provide proof of English language proficiency for the purposes of permanent economic immigration to Canada or Canadian citizenship. The first PTE Core tests can be taken from February 12 onwards.

PTE Core is a new addition to the Pearson Test of English portfolio, sharing many of the unique characteristics of PTE Academic. It is a two-hour, computer-based exam taken in a test centre environment that tests four key English language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The key difference is that PTE Core is relevant for the vocational test taker, designed with a real-life, non-academic focus. It was created to meet Canada’s specific migration needs and the IRCC’s language proficiency requirements, but could be used to assess the English proficiency of vocational test takers in any country.

Gio Giovannelli, President of the English Language Learning division at Pearson, said: “We are excited to roll out PTE Core to test takers across the world. It was designed to test real life language skills and allows test takers to showcase their proficiency and be themselves in English. Whether people are looking to work, study or migrate to Canada, there’s a Pearson English language proficiency test that suits their requirements.”

Every year, Canada welcomes hundreds of thousands of permanent residents, temporary foreign workers (TFWs), students, and visitors. Canada also supports the reunification of families and the protection of refugees and persons at risk. With an increased focus on supporting Canada’s economic resurgence and post-pandemic growth, IRCC is increasing its Levels Plan to further address the growing demand for the coming years. With high demand in Canada for professionals in areas such as nursing, engineering and web development, the approval of PTE Core arrives at a good time for test takers and opens new opportunities for Pearson.

PTE Core was created in response to Canadian economic migration needs. Alongside this, PTE Academic was accepted from August 2023 by IRCC as an approved English proficiency test for all Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa applications – it is already recognised by more than 97 per cent of universities and 95 per cent of colleges in Canada. The UK, Australian and New Zealand governments also accept PTE tests for all visa applications. PTE Academic is also accepted by 100 per cent of Australian, New Zealand and Irish Universities and 99 per cent of UK universities.

The fully digital PTE Core test is delivered through Pearson VUE, the computer-based testing business of Pearson. The latest AI technology, calibrated and reviewed by human raters, is used for scoring, and biometric data collection provides enhanced security measures. These cutting-edge technologies ensure the provision of an impartial and highly accurate test of a test taker’s English language proficiency.

Furthermore, test takers can book PTE Core online up to 24 hours in advance, take advantage of year-round worldwide test centre slots and receive their results on average within two days.

PTE Core will be rolled out across Pearson’s existing network, with more than 400 PTE centres in 118 countries. This includes 25 test centres across Canada.

About Pearson

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That’s why our c.18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world’s leading learning company, serving customers in c.200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn’t just what we do. It’s who we are. Visit us at pearsonplc.com

About PTE

PTE Academic and PTE Academic Online provide secure English language testing for study applications worldwide, including Canada. PTE English proficiency tests are accepted for applications for work and migration in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. PTE Academic Online is not accepted for work and migration purposes. PTE Core is accepted for applications for permanent economic immigration to Canada. 

Media contact

media@pearson.com

September 12, 2022: Pearson, the world’s leading learning company, today announced the strengthening and expansion of its partner network in the UAE by onboarding five new entities under the PTE Academic Certified Associates program.

Charms Education and Immigration located in Business Bay, Svarna Training Institute in Burjuman, Emcan Training Institute with centers in Al Nahda, Burjuman, and Deira, IQ Education in Oud Metha, and Y-Axis with multiple branches in Jumeirah Lake Towers and in Sharjah will now act as local partners of Pearson Middle East to provide PTE Academic services - the world’s leading computerized, AI-based English language test for study, work abroad and immigration purposes. The association will help learners, study/work abroad aspirants, and immigration candidates to receive learning, registration, and testing support from Pearson through its partners.

According to Pearson’s 2021 Global Learning Survey (GLS)1, 72% of college students have a new sense of urgency for completing their education. With the pandemic settling down and borders opening up, prominent universities have witnessed a surge in international applications this year and report by UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), the UK's shared admissions service for higher education, shows that it has received 2,950 applications from UAE students, 17% more than last year, to study in the UK[2]. This recent growth in student mobility patterns has placed a strong emphasis on creating a dynamic higher education environment and need for an accurate English proficiency test for residential, student, and work visas.

PTE Academic is the world-leading provider of secure English language tests for study applications, accepted by 3,000+ institutions worldwide and recognized for visa applications for work and migration in Australia, the UK, and New Zealand. The exam is administered and evaluated by leading Artificial Intelligence technology to ensure accuracy and eliminate any form of bias in its test results. The program also provides a range of preparation options to test takers including Scored Practice Tests, PTE Academic Question Banks and the Official Guide to PTE Academic, offering access to in-depth information and practical advice on each part of the exam.

Commenting on the partnership, Giovanni Giovannelli, President, English Language Learning, said “We at Pearson believe that international education is a holistic ecosystem, one where different stakeholders have equally important roles: Universities, Agents, Language preparation centers, and High stakes test providers, all with a common goal: to help students or migrants achieve their life goals. Our efforts, in line with Pearson’s mission of adding life to lifetime learning, are aimed at empowering learners to prove their English language skills, gain confidence in using the language as a communication medium and achieve their dream of studying or working abroad.”

“PTE has been growing substantially across the globe, and we see the reflection of this in the Middle East region as well. We believe that this collaboration with established institutions and consultants in the UAE will bring the much-needed momentum for aspirants and enable further growth for our business and partners.”

In a joint statement, partners from Y-Axis Middle East, IQ Education, and Emcan Education, commented, “We are delighted to be a part of Pearson’s partner network in the Middle East, and we consider it a milestone in our organizations’ growth, which has been offering learning and testing support to thousands of students for over a decade. More than 95% of students seeking opportunities abroad require an accurate English language proficiency test, and this partnership with Pearson will enable us to further strengthen our services. Moreover, it would also be instrumental in our long-term strategy to become a one-stop destination for all educational, work abroad and immigration requirements.”

With the PTE Academic Test, candidates get unparalleled flexibility for it can be booked as little as 24 hours in advance of a test session (available throughout the week) and the results are available within 48 hours of the test. One major differentiator between PTE Academic and other English Language Tests is the speaking section of PTE tests the integrated skills of speaking and writing, reflecting the way we use language in the real world. Since the speaking section is completed on a computer (and assessed by artificial intelligence), the whole test can be completed on the same day within 2 hours. By registering for the PTE Academic test through one of the listed partners, candidates can make use of the welcome pack with all the necessary information to prepare them for success, additional learning resources, and get their common registration questions responded to quickly and accurately.

Read further information on PTE Academic or its testing centers in the region.

ENDS

[1] https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/news-and-policy/news/2022/05/new-pearson-global-learner-survey-finds-majority--85--globally--.html

[2] https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/education/2022/02/17/record-number-of-uae-students-apply-to-uk-universities/

About Pearson

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That’s why our c.20,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world’s leading learning company, serving customers in more than 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn’t just what we do. It’s who we are. Visit us at pearsonplc.com.