PTE Overview
The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) is an English language test designed to assess the readiness of non-native English speakers to participate in a university-level English language instruction program. It was created by Pearson Language Tests part of the Pearson PLC group, a London-based educational services company with prior experience in institutional English language proficiency testing.
Pearson created PTE Academic in response to demand from institutions, government, and other organizations for a more accurate way of testing non – native English language students who enter the English-speaking academia world with unrealistic expectations of university and business life after taking other English language proficiency tests.
PTE Academic is endorsed by the Graduate Management Admission Council, who are owners of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), and is delivered by Pearson Language Tests – who also deliver PTE General (formerly London Tests of English) and PTE Young Learners (formerly London Tests of English for Children).
It is a computer-based exam that focuses on real-life English used in academic surroundings. This is to say that integrated language is used throughout the test and students will listen to a variety of accents and academic language which they will encounter at English-speaking higher education institutions.
The exam will include an unmarked voice recording of the candidate, which should assist institutions in the overall evaluation of the candidate’s English language ability and should aid them with their admission decisions. The test will be a maximum of 3 hours long and takers can expect their results to be delivered to them, online, within 5 working days.
Amongst other universities, London Business School in the UK, Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Yale University in the USA accept PTE Academic scores. Other institutions in other countries, including Spain, France and China, have also signed up to accept PTE Academic. These include leading business schools such as INSEAD and HEC Paris in France, IESE, IE Business School and ESADE in Spain and SDA Bocconi in Italy . In addition to the business schools, there are also a number of arts and music colleges who accept the exam’s scores
PTE FORMAT
- Computer-based test measures all four language areas: Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing,
- 20 innovative and integrated item typesContent
- Authentic academic test content from a variety of international contexts and scenariosDuration
- Approximately three hoursAvailability
- During the launch period, PTE Academic will be available in 37 territories including China, India, the US, Japan, South Korea, Australia, the UK, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Canada