Pearson and UCL launch AI research partnership

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.

PTE Academic has launched a brand new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC); ‘Introduction to PTE Academic’, which is available free of charge to all users.

The course is designed to familiarise candidates with the test structure and question types for PTE Academic through video guidance and online practice.

The course was developed in partnership with E2Language, a global online test preparation and tuition provider for PTE Academic and other English language assessments.

Dan Doyle, PTE Academic Vice President Product Management and Delivery, explains, “This course suits anyone who is unfamiliar with PTE Academic and needs to understand the essentials about what it is they are likely to face in the test in just a few short hours.”

Jarrad Merlo ( Jay), Co-founder of E2Language, further states “Candidates often don’t know which test to take. This MOOC will give candidates a very quick overview of PTE Academic and the information they need to make the right choice for them.”

The course is equally useful for any teachers or Higher Education Institutions who are considering preparing their students for PTE Academic.

Throughout the course, Jay briefly offers guidance on how they should respond to the example questions presented. The course simulates each of the questions types in PTE Academic allowing users to try out their own techniques for attempting the questions before receiving guidance.

After completing the course users are encouraged to undertake further preparation in order to maximize their chances of achieving their desired score on the test. Candidates can choose from a wide range of quality PTE Academic self-study resources including books, a mobile phone app for practice on the go and our unique fully Scored Practice Test – which gives an indicator of how they may perform on the test.

For alternative preparation resources and tutor-lead support, PTE Academic has a range of preparation partners including E2Language to help provided targeted preparation based on where help is needed.