Pilot Test Candidates Rate the Pearson Test of English

In August, Pearson completed the final stage of pilot testing for a new computer-based international academic English language test, the Pearson Test of English (PTE). The test delivers real-life measures of candidates’ language ability to universities, higher education institutions, government departments and other organizations requiring academic-level English. The test is being developed and offered to students in collaboration with the Graduate Management Admission Council and will be launched in October 2009.

The PTE was piloted to 10,402 candidates in test centers in 21 countries, including China, Korea, Japan, India, and South Korea. Candidates were given the flexibility to schedule their test online, and tests were delivered either by appointment or during special event days, via the Pearson VUE test center delivery network.

“Pilot testing enabled Pearson to gather information about the technical functioning of the test administration hardware and software,” said Ernie Anastasio, GMAC senior advisor for international assessments. “We received valuable feedback about a range of innovative and integrated item types and obtained direct feedback on candidates’ experience and perception of the test.”

Additionally, information was collected on aspects such as gender, age distribution, the amount of contact participants had already had with English, and the distribution of participants over countries of birth and citizenship. Of the candidates who took the pilot test, 70 percent were ages 20 to 30, and 87% were non-native English speakers born in 158 different countries. Native speakers of English were included as part of the validation procedures. A technical advisory group composed of experts from language testing and psychometrics also provided feedback, advice, and critical evaluation of the development work. Anastasio is a member of that group.

In a detailed survey of candidate reactions and perceptions, more than 82% of candidates said they’d recommend the test to their friends and colleagues. “It is very rewarding to see how enthusiastic candidates have reacted to our test,” said John de Jong, vice president for test development. “We have received positive feedback about the variety of questions and test takers acknowledge that the real-life authentic content really reflects what they would be likely to encounter in an academic setting.”

For more information, visit www.pearsonpte.com. If you are interested in becoming a recognizing institution, please write to Helene Duvin, vice president of university relations at helene.duvin@pearson.com.