Pearson PLC offers various international standardized tests of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. The tests include the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), the PTE General (formerly known as London Tests of English (LTE)),[1] and PTE Young Learners. These are scenario-based exams, accredited by the QCA and Ofqual,[2] and are administered in association with Edexcel.[3]
The Pearson Test of English Academic assesses the ability of non-native English speakers to participate in a university-level English language instruction program. It is a computer-based exam that focuses on real-life English used in academic surroundings. The test takers listen to a variety of accents and academic language that they will encounter at English-speaking higher education institutions.[4]
The exam includes an unmarked voice recording of the candidate, which is part of advanced biometric data that should assist institutions in verifying the identity of candidates and should aid them with their admission decisions.[5] The test is a maximum of 2 hours and 15 minutes long, and takers can expect their results to be delivered to them online within 5 working days.
Test scores are reported on the Global Scale of English, a standardised, numeric scale from 10 to 90 that measures English language proficiency more precisely with reference to the widely known set of levels in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.[6]
The Pearson Test of English Academic has sections:
| Section | Duration | Content | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking and writing | 54 – 67 minutes |
| |
| Reading | 29 – 30 minutes |
| |
| Listening | 30 – 43 minutes |
|
PTE General (formerly known as the London Test of English) or Pearson English International Certificate (as of December 2020)[7] was developed by Pearson Language Tests, administered by Edexcel, and accredited by QCA.[8]
In some countries (e.g. Poland, Greece) the oral interview is assessed by locally trained assessors, whereas in other countries (e.g. France, Italy, Argentina, United Arab Emirates)[9] they are entirely graded in London.
There are six levels which are mapped to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
| CEFR level | PTE General | Exam time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| C2 Proficient (Mastery) | Level 5 | 2h55 | |
| C1 Advanced (Operational Proficiency) | Level 4 | 2h30 | |
| B2 Upper Intermediate | Level 3 | 2h | |
| B1 Intermediate | Level 2 | 1h35 | |
| A2 Elementary | Level 1 | 1h30 | |
| A1 Foundation | Level A1 | 1h15 |
PTE Young Learners (formerly known as LTEfC) is an English language exams for young children (aged from 7 to 12) who learning English as a foreign language. They test the four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
PTE Young Learners exams are based around the adventures of the Brown family. The exams are theme based and designed to be fun and motivating. At the lower levels they aim to test how well children can use language structures and at the higher levels how well they can use language to complete communicative tasks. For this reason, the tests use real-life scenarios rather than grammatical exercises.
The PTE Young Learners were originally developed by the University of London Schools Examination Board in 1982. The Examination Board merged with Business & Technological Council (BTEC) in 1996 to become Edexcel.
There are four PTE Young Learners levels:
| Level | PTE Young Learners | Exam time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Firstwords | 1h | |
| 2 | Springboard | 1h | |
| 3 | Quickmarch | 1h | |
| 4 | Breakthrough | 1h15 |