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.
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 United Araib Emirates (UAE).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 centre network. All operating test centres 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 centre 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 centre 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.