Pearson launches new PTE Academic test center in Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering (Autonomous) in Vizag

At the virtual launch, Ozhan Toktas, Pearson’s MD for Africa and the Middle East, said “PTE is strategically important on our vision to help people progress in their lives. We provide an opportunity for people to realize their dreams of study, work, or live in their countries or in a different country. English language skills, an international certification of these skills are undoubtedly a very crucial step in people’s employability and life journeys. And we are proud to be able to provide that with PTE.” 

Sir Dominick Chilcott, British Ambassador to Turkey, said “Education has the power to transform lives; whether that means access to a great job opportunity or just the courage to advance in a different direction. The UK government understand this power and that is why we are working at every level here in Turkey to increase access to quality education, whether here or in the UK.” and added that PTE is a great addition to the options available for those applying for work visas and for students planning to go to the UK in support of their higher education. 

Tests are delivered through the Pearson VUE test center network, currently available in two Test Centers in Istanbul. Pearson VUE’s network of test centers have implemented proactive health and safety measures including, but not limited to, readily available hand sanitizer, increased sanitization 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. 

Pearson’s Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) 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. For more information, please visit www.pearson.com

• View more information on PTE tests.

• 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 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. Read more information about Pearson VUE.

• Pearson VUE continues to monitor the situation and make decisions about test center operations in accordance with government and local authorities.

• 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

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

Academic institutions and professional associations that accept PTE Academic test results can do so confident there is an independent panel of experts behind the scenes helping us ensure our test is of the highest standard.

PTE Academic offers test takers a secure, fast, flexible and fair examination of their English language skills. They can take the test and within five days can demonstrate their language skills when applying to study or work abroad.

The PTE Academic Technical Advisory Group comprises experts from language testing, psychometrics, teaching, and business who we meet on a regular basis and who provide feedback, advic,e and a critical eye on what we do now, and how we should continue to lead language assessment in the future.

Rose Clesham, Pearson Director Academic Standards, and Measurement said:

“We have taken great care to include a variety of language, assessment and technology experts in our TAG group. They are world leaders in their respective fields. They offer qualitative and quantitative expertise, research, operational and strategic experience and take both a stakeholder and a global perspective on the robust and valid use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in language testing.”

Find out more about our Technical Advisory Group (TAG) members.

New partnership makes it easy for students to find out the PTE Academic score they need to get into University

London, September 5th, 2018: Pearson, the digital education company, today announced a partnership with Studyportals, the global study choice platform, which will benefit all students worldwide taking the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic).

When students look at a particular university and course they are interested in attending through the Studyportals site, they will now be able to see the minimum PTE Academic score they should achieve in order to be accepted by that institution.

PTE Academic is the computer based English language test trusted by thousands of universities and colleges around the world. Students like it for its speed, flexibility, fairness, and security – they can book online up to 24 hours in advance, there is year round test date availability and a choice of 250 test centers in over 50 countries. The test itself only lasts three hours and students can typically expect their results within five working days – with 85% getting them within two. The test also has industry-leading security measures – all test centers use state-of-the-art digital biometrics incorporating palm-scanning, digital signatures, secure paperless results, randomized test formats, and CCTV.

Freya Thomas Monk, Pearson’s Vice-President of Assessment, English & Schools, said: “Pearson is always looking for ways to provide its customers with a quick, effective and seamless digital service. This ‘one stop’ partnership with Studyportals is a great example of this. When students are looking at particular universities and courses on the Studyportals site they will now also be able to see the PTE Academic score required – a simple step, but one which saves them precious time searching themselves.”

Studyportals CEO, Edwin van Rest added: “At Studyportals we want to make it as easy as possible to match students with the right universities, and every bit of information helps a lot. We had noticed that an increasing number of our 35 million unique visitors were taking the PTE Academic test, yet were not able to confirm their eligibility because of the missing information. We are therefore happy to partner with PTE Academic test to help bring more transparency to study choice.”

Students wishing to find out more about the partnership should visit the Studyportals site.

Read more information on PTE Academic.

About Pearson

Pearson is a global digital education company with expertise in educational content and assessment, and a range of teaching and learning services powered by technology. Our mission is to help people make progress through access to better learning. We believe that learning opens up opportunities, creating fulfilling careers and better lives. For more, visit the Pearson website and follow us on Twitter @Pearson.

For media queries please contact Media Relations - media@pearson.com

About Studyportals

Studyportals is the international study choice platform, enabling students to find and compare their study options across borders. With over 150,000 published courses, 3,050 participating universities, and 28 million users in 2017, Studyportals is a leading information source for study seekers. Studyportals’ 210-person team represents over 35 nationalities. For universities, Studyportals is a results-based channel for international student recruitment. For more, visit www.studyportals.com and follow us on Twitter @Studyportals or LinkedIn.

For media queries please contact Carmen Neghina at carmen@studyportals.com or +31655875270.