Pearson Test of English
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) was launched by Pearson in 2009 and thus is one of the latest entrants into the field of testing and certifying English language proficiency of non-native English speakers. The QCA and administered in association with Edexcel, UK’s largest examining body, accredits the PTE.
PTE have two common versions: Academic and General Training and PTE has one additional version viz. Young Learners Test. PTE is based on complete automated scoring and grades a test taker in the band of 10-90.
PTE Academic test centers located in over 50 countries worldwide and can be taken on any date of the year, subject to availability of seats in the desired centre. In India there PTE test centers in over 15+ cities.
In Part 1 you will be tested on your speaking and writing skills. The time given to this section is 77-93 minutes. To assess speaking, your skills will be tested by your ability to produce spoken English in an academic environment. The writing section will require you to write responses in academic English using correct grammar and spelling.
In part 2 you will be tested on your reading skills. This single timed section contains 15-20 independent and integrated skills items, depending on the combination of items in a given test. Different response formats, including multiple-choice, re-order paragraphs, and fill in the blanks, are designed to test your ability to read, write and listen to information provided in English. Because PTE Academic is an integrated skill test, one item type in this part of the test also assesses writing skills.
Part 3 consists of questions that are based on audio or video clips which begin to play automatically. You hear each audio or video clip only once so listen carefully. You are allowed to take notes. For each question you have the opportunity to adjust the volume. While the audio clip is playing, move the control bar to the right to increase the volume or to the left to decrease the volume.
Sometimes, the best way to prepare for a test is to join a class and receive tuition either face-to-face or online. All around the world, there are private language schools who run PTE Academic preparation courses. These range from intensive week-long courses, to courses that last for up to six months. You can take an online courses with Pearson’s online test preparation partner.
PTE is an English proficiency test that has been approved by several universities, colleges as well as Governments across the globe. The PTE academic is mainly used for applying in the universities of the foreign countries like USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.