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London, May 21 2020: Pearson, the world’s learning company, has announced that people looking to work or live or study in the UK can now start to book PTE tests in a number of locations worldwide to help them prepare for this move.

Today the UK Government approved Pearson to open bookings and start delivering Secure English Language Tests (SELT) for UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) in an initial 20 locations, including China. Bookings can be taken at all 20 locations, with 11 of the locations open to deliver testing, and the remaining 9 to open once individual COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

It is expected that all remaining SELT testing locations, including the UK, will become operational in phases during this summer.

The tests will be delivered through the Pearson VUE test center network. All operating test centers will continue to follow guidance and notifications from public health officials for preventing the spread of COVID-19, including social distancing, to support the safety of test takers and staff.

This news comes at a time when many test takers are unable to visit a test center due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Freya Thomas Monk, Pearson Senior Vice President of English Assessment, said: “I am pleased that we can now offer PTE at some locations for UKVI purposes.

“This means people can start to book, and in some cases take PTE as they continue to get ready to come to study, work or live in the UK.

“We advise test takers to check all relevant travel restrictions and health & safety requirements before they do so.”

Dr Gary A Gates, Senior Vice President at Pearson VUE added: “We are delighted to start providing Secure English Language Tests across our global test center network. The fully digital test employs AI technology to offer an impartial and highly accurate test of the English language proficiency of test takers around the world.”

Pearson’s SELT tests 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, 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.

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 98% of UK universities.

Notes to Editors:

1. 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.

2. More information on PTE tests.

3. 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.

4. 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. For more information, please visit

5. Pearson VUE continues to monitor the situation and make decisions about test center operations in accordance with government and local authorities. Please check this page often for frequent updates:

6. 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.

7. For more information on the UK Home Office Visa and Immigration process and the other test providers click.

For media queries contact media@pearson.com

July 21st, 2020 9 AM London: Pearson, the world’s learning company, has announced the third phase of locations 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 23 locations. This includes another 6 centres in the UK – Belfast, Birmingham, Peterborough, Portsmouth, London and Sheffield – and 17 centres globally in locations such as Dubai, Islamabad, and Lagos. 

Bookings can be taken at all locations, with the majority of these locations open now to deliver testing.

The tests will be delivered through the Pearson VUE test centre network. Third-party test centres are educated on the COVID-19 health and safety and sanitization measures being taken in Pearson VUE-owned test centres and it is recommended that they implement similar measures such as increased disinfecting and hygienic procedures to support the safety of testing candidates and staff. 

Freya Thomas Monk, Senior Vice President of English Assessment at Pearson, said “We have seen high demand since our first locations were approved to book and deliver PTE as a Secure English Language Test for UK Visa and Immigration purposes. 

“Today’s announcement brings our total of UKVI approved locations to over a hundred, with more locations set to follow. This is great news as it gives an even wider choice of test location for those who are looking to move to the UK to work, study, or live.” 

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 announcement (following our first and second phase announcements) brings our overall total of UKVI approved locations to 115. It is expected that all remaining SELT testing locations will become operational over the coming months. Test takers should review our latest prices and approved test center locations.  

Read more information on the UK Home Office Visas and Immigration process. 

For media queries contact Media Relations at media@pearson.com

Pearson recently published an Efficacy report looking at PTE Academic.

The purpose of Pearson’s Efficacy Reporting is to be as open and transparent as possible about how it designs, develops, and evaluates the impact of its products on learners.

Sarah Hughes, Research & Analysis Manager, helped pull the PTE Academic report together. Below she sets out its key findings:

“The PTE Academic Assessment Efficacy Report explains how our research relates to three key indicators of assessment quality: validity, reliability, and fairness.

• Validity evidence demonstrates that test scores can be used and interpreted for the defined purpose of the test. For PTE Academic, it is important that the test scores provide a meaningful reflection of a test taker’s language proficiency that can be understood around the world and used to help them make the next step in their journey.

• Reliability is a measurement concept, which means that scoring is consistent over time, across multiple test forms, and/or over multiple administrations. Any time a candidate takes the test, they should be presented with the same opportunity for consistent measurement.

• Fairness in assessment means that the test is not systematically biased and that scores can be interpreted in the same way for all test takers. PTE Academic’s research into fairness and automated scoring ensure that test-takers are given the same opportunity to demonstrate their language proficiency regardless of gender, race/ethnicity, for instance.”

Read the PTE Academic Assessment Efficacy Report (PDF 940KB).

View the full range of research conducted on PTE Academic.