Turkey launches PTE Secure English Language Testing (SELT) with two sites in Istanbul

PTE Author
PTE Author
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Reading time: 4 minutes

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.

 

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    Test takers can now choose from 190 locations to take PTE for UK Visas & Immigration
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    London, January 5th, 2021, 9 AM: Pearson, the world’s learning company, has announced its next phase of locations where people can 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 SELT testing in a further 17 locations including Oslo, St Petersburg, Riga, and Casablanca. With the exception of Quito, all these locations see their first-ever PTE centers opening. 

    The tests will be delivered through the Pearson VUE test center network. Pearson VUE’s network of test centers has implemented proactive health and safety measures including, but not limited to, readily available hand sanitizer, increased sanitization in high touch areas, and the regular disinfection of testing workstations (completed between each test taker). These measures support the safety of both testing candidates and staff. Face masks are required at all Pearson VUE-owned test centers. 

    Freya Thomas Monk, Senior Vice President of English Assessment at Pearson, said: 

    “The New Year is traditionally a time when people set themselves new goals and challenges and this can involve major life changes, such as moving abroad to work, study, or start a new life. 

    “For those who have decided their future is in the UK and who need a Secure English Language Test to help them get there, PTE is on hand to help. ” 

    Pearson’s SELT tests 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.

    Today’s news (following our first, second, third, fourth, and fifth phase announcements) brings our overall total of UKVI approved locations to 190. This completes our phased rollout of locations for UKVI, although we will continue to adapt provision in line with demand. 

    Test takers should review our test centers and fees to keep up to date on the latest approved locations.  

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

    For media queries contact media@pearson.com

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    AI-driven language testing growing across Canada
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    Pearson, the world’s learning company, today announced that five new colleges will be utilizing the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic). With this announcement, PTE Academic is now recognized by 90 percent of all post-secondary institutions across Canada.

    Unlike other tests, PTE Academic is a 100 percent computer-based test. Designed and monitored by people, the examination is administered and evaluated by leading Artificial Intelligence technology to ensure accuracy and lack of bias in its test results. Pearson’s PTE Academic test is now recognized at:

    • Holland College (Charlottetown, PEI)

    • Coast Mountain College (Terrace, British Columbia)

    • Focus College (Kelowna, BC)

    • Oulton College (Moncton, NB)

    • Northern Lights College (Dawson Creek, BC)

    “We are looking forward to working with Pearson Canada and the PTE Academic test as a means for prospective students to meet the English Language Proficiency for access to the College. Having reliable results will enable us to better support our students as they begin their academic adventure at Coast Mountain College,” says Stephen Salem, Director, Institutional Research and Registrar.

    Other leading Canadian institutions which recognize PTE Academic include the University of British Columbia and McGill University. The test is also recognized by more than 2,000 universities worldwide.

    Pearson’s platform enables test-takers to schedule a test at their convenience, and test results are returned within five days, with 85 percent of results returned within a two-day period in 2018.

    “We believe PTE Academic offers a huge advantage to test takers,” said Marlene Olsavsky, Managing Director at Pearson Canada. “Our use of leading AI technology means colleges can trust that students’ English proficiency levels are scored accurately and with no bias. We also know students like the flexibility of booking and fast results we offer – making PTE Academic the increasingly popular English language test worldwide.”

    Explore the full list of the Institutions which recognize us.

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    PTE now available in all the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Editor’s note (November 2025): As of November 2025, PTE tests are no longer available in Myanmar due to changes affecting payment processing and test delivery.

    Pearson now delivers Secure English Language Test (SELT) exams for UK visas in all Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. 

    PTE Academic, PTE Academic UKVI, and PTE Home tests are available at 29 locations in total across the 10 ASEAN countries of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam as of December 2024.

    English is the working language of the 10 member ASEAN bloc, which is home to more than 650 million people and as many as 1,000 languages. 

    The ASEAN PTE centers are located at:

    • Brunei Darussalam: Bandar Seri Begawan 

    • Cambodia: Phnom Penh 

    • Indonesia: Jakarta, Surabaya, Pontianak 

    • Japan: Chiyoda-ku, Osaka shi, Shinjuku 

    • Korea, South: Busan, Seoul 

    • Lao People’s Democratic Republic: Vientiane 

    • Malaysia: Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Sabah, Selangor 

    • Philippines: Baguio City, Cebu, Davao, Makati, Makati City, Manila 

    • Singapore: Singapore 

    • Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Pathumthani 

    • Vietnam: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City 

    Book a PTE test today or view prices and your nearest test center.

    Last updated 05 November 2025.