Pearson and UCL launch AI research partnership

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London, February 4, 2020: Pearson, the world’s learning company, and the UCL Institute of Education today launched a new three-year project collaboration looking at the role of AI in English Language assessment.

The research will focus on test-takers end to end experience of taking PTE (Pearson’s leading high stakes test of English) for either study or migration purposes. This fully digital test is delivered through Pearson VUE, the computer-based testing business of Pearson. The latest AI technology is used for scoring; biometric data collection provides enhanced security measures and voice recognition software is applied for the speaking element of the test. These cutting-edge technologies ensure the provision of an impartial and highly accurate test of people’s English language proficiency.

The purpose of the research will be to ensure that global test-taker responses are fed back into the ongoing development and use of AI in assessment and to ensure the fairness, accuracy, and validity of these tests.

Commissioned by the PTE research team, the project will be led by UCL Associate Professors Dr. Mary Richardson and Dr. Sandra Leaton-Gray.

Dr. Mary Richardson said: “If you take an English oral exam, for example, you want a system that gives you the marks you deserve, whether you learned English originating from America, Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, Malta, or Hong Kong. All those different, slightly subtle local variations in vocabulary and sentence structure need to be built into the assessment model, so you get a fair mark. This is where artificial intelligence can really help us.”

Her views are echoed by Dr. Rose Clesham, Director of Academic Standards, Measurement, and Research for PTE: “Pearson has been working in the area of Artificial Intelligence in assessment for some time. There is a real potential to revolutionize the way people take low and high stakes tests, the way we mark them, and how we provide results and feedback. This new collaboration between PTE and the UCL Institute of Education will put our test takers right at the heart of the assessment process.”

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 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, 98% of UK universities, and more than 2,000 academic programs in the USA.

Alongside this, we have recently launched PTE Home, a two-skills language test accepted by the UK Government for family, settlement, or citizenship applications. It tests speaking and listening skills.

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    Pearson Test of English (PTE) recognized for admission to higher education in the Netherlands
    By PTE Author

    London, UNITED KINGDOM: 7 November 2024 – Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), the world’s lifelong learning company, today announced that the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic has been officially recognized for admission to higher education institutions in the Netherlands.

    This recognition, granted by the National Commission for the Code of Conduct Higher Education, allows universities in the Netherlands to accept PTE Academic for admissions. International students applying to English-taught programs can now use their PTE Academic scores to demonstrate English proficiency.

    Marking a milestone for PTE Academic, the Netherlands now joins all other major study destinations in recognizing the test. With over 128,000 international students and more than 2,000 English-taught degree programs, the Netherlands is a key hub for higher education, attracting students from across the EU/EEA and beyond.

    Giovanni Giovannelli, Pearson’s President of English Language Learning, commented: "This recognition by the National Commission in the Netherlands is a key step in our mission to provide trusted English assessments worldwide. The Netherlands is a leading destination for international students, and we are proud to support them to succeed in an increasingly competitive academic environment. This recognition reinforces our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of higher education globally."

    The Netherlands, now the second-largest destination for English-taught programs in mainland Europe, is chosen by thousands of international students seeking quality education in Europe. With PTE Academic now recognized, both students and universities will benefit from increased access to reliable, high-quality English language assessments.

    For further information, please contact:

    Ellen Clark, Director of Corporate Communications

    ellen.clark@pearson.com | +44 7780 665958

    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 c. 18,000 Pearson 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.

    About Pearson PTE

    PTE is a trusted English language proficiency test, opening doors for individuals looking to study, work, or migrate. PTE is accepted by over 3,500 institutions worldwide, and is also accepted by the Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and UK governments for all types of visas. Learn more about PTE.

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    LONDON – 9 August 2024 – Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), the world’s lifelong learning company, has achieved new recognition for the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic. Effective immediately, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States has recognized PTE for undergraduate admissions.

    MIT joins over 3,500 universities and institutions worldwide that trust PTE as proof of English proficiency. With 3,465 international students, MIT is a prestigious institution ranked third in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings this year.

    PTE combines human expertise with the latest AI technology to deliver an English language proficiency test that is both impartial and highly accurate. Tests are taken on a computer and are available in over 475 test centers globally.

    Shileen Costain, Senior Director of Global Stakeholder Relations, expressed her pride in this achievement: “We are thrilled that MIT has recognized the value and accuracy of PTE Academic for its undergraduate admissions. This approval underscores our commitment to providing a trusted and rigorous assessment of English proficiency for students and institutions worldwide.”

    This recognition from MIT follows recent approval by the Canadian Nurse Regulators Collaborative (CNRC), which recommended PTE Academic as an accepted test for internationally trained nurses applying for registration in Canada.

    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

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    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