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Kathmandu / Pearson, the world’s leading learning company, has been designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to launch its newest language test, PTE Essential, for proof of English language proficiency.
PTE
Essential is a new version of the Pearson Test of English that is very similar
to PTE Academic. The key difference is it has a more vocational, real-life and
non-academic focus that meets IRCC’s language proficiency requirements. It is
anticipated that applicants seeking to use PTE Essential to provide proof of
English language proficiency, for the purpose of Canadian permanent residency
or citizenship, will be able to do so as of late 2023.
The UK,
Australian and New Zealand governments already accept PTE Academic for all visa
applications. PTE Academic is also accepted by 100 per cent of Australian, New
Zealand and Irish Universities, 99 per cent of UK universities, and more than
90 per cent of universities in Canada.
Andy
Bird, CEO, Pearson, said: “At Pearson, we see every day how English skills can
transform lives. We’ve already seen how PTE Academic can help people take a
huge stride towards being themselves in English in whichever country they
choose to work or study. I’m delighted PTE Essential is now accepted in Canada
for economic visas and proud of the innovation and rigor that sits behind the
quick and high-quality experience our test provides to test takers.”
IRCC
recently announced it plans to welcome a record number of
permanent residents in the years ahead, approximately 1.45 million in total in
the next three years. With high demand in Canada for professionals in areas
such as nursing, engineering and web development, the approval of PTE Essential
arrives at a good time for test takers and opens new opportunities for Pearson.
The fully
digital test is delivered through Pearson VUE, the computer-based testing
business of Pearson. The latest AI technology is used for scoring; biometric
data collection provides enhanced security measures and voice recognition
software is applied for the speaking element of the test. These cutting-edge
technologies ensure the provision of an impartial and highly accurate test of
people’s English language proficiency.
Furthermore,
test takers can book online up to 24 hours in advance, take advantage of
year-round worldwide test centre slots and receive their results on average
within 1.3 days.
PTE Essential
will be rolled out across Pearson’s existing network, with more than 400 PTE
centres in 118 countries.