Pearson and UCL launch AI research partnership

PTE Author
PTE Author
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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 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.

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    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.

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    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.

     

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    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.

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    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:

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      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.