The computer-based English test for study abroad and immigration U.S. Iraq Higher Education Conference June 26 27 Washington D.C.
Contents I. Letter from Emma Stubbs, Vice President II. Pearson and PTE Academic Mission III. Test Summary IV. Test Service Benefits in Iraq V. Test Center Overview VI. Test Taker Process in Iraq VII. Test Center Access in Iraq VIII. Test Center Requirements IX. Test Preparation Resources X. Recognizing Institutions XI. How to Accept Scores XII. PTE Academic Contacts XIII. UKH Testimony 1 2 3 4 5 6 7-8 8 8 9 10 11 12
Letter from Emma Stubbs, Vice President Dear Conference Attendees, International scholars occasionally face challenges in finding high stakes English language tests to support their applications to US Universities, and nowhere is this challenge more critical or apparent than in Iraq. At Pearson, we have committed to helping solve this problem by offering our high-stakes English language test, PTE Academic, in the Iraqi market. PTE Academic is accurate, secure, widely accepted as proof of English proficiency by top universities, and capable of testing students multiple times per day, every day. Working in conjunction with partner universities in Soran and Erbil, two new PTE Academic test centers are already open and securely testing Iraqi scholars. We have plans for additional test centers to open later this year, and are actively seeking additional test center partners for 2015. If your institution is not yet accepting PTE Academic scores as an alternative to TOEFL, please consider updating your internal policy. Our team is here to help. Sincerely, Emma Stubbs Vice President, US ELT Sales and Language Testing 1
Mission Statement Pearson To help students make measurable progress in their lives through learning. By combining our deep experience in education and creating engaging content with innovative technologies and digital delivery, we help students learn and teachers teach more effectively. PTE Academic We believe that language tests should be fair. They should give an accurate evaluation of a test taker s performance and they should be objective and not judge factors such as appearance or nationality. They should be relevant to the language skills needed and they should do so consistently with a high level of security. 2
Summary Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) is a high stakes, computer-based academic English language proficiency test that is widely accepted for admissions by universities across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia. PTE Academic is not just another English language test; it is a solution to universal challenges faced by university professionals in fulfilling international recruitment and integration goals. Objective Accurate Relevant Secure Solely machine scored Treats regional accents equally so there is no regional variance in standards Highest reliability estimate of overall test score (.97) compared to other English language tests Lowest Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) compared to other English language tests More granular scale compared to other English language tests, allowing for greater level of score precision Integrated Items (e.g. Listening and Writing) emulate real world student experience Highest amount of integrated tasks (11/20 different question types are integrated) Stringent security checks applied consistently across all test centers Industry leading biometric security measures, including voice prints and palm vein authentication Randomized test forms 3
Benefits in Iraq Access to testing On demand testing Test centers provide test up to 7 days/week Currently available at 2 test centers in the Kurdistan region, with up to 10 test sessions per week Students within Kurdistan region wait as little as 24 hours to take test Multiple test centers pending Test preparation resources available We have started one PTE prep course and are using the lesson plans from the Teacher s Official Guide to PTE Academic which have proved very useful. Victoria Whiteside, PTE Academic Test Center Manager, University of Kurdistan Hewler Fast turnaround time Single 3 hour sitting Tests can be scheduled in as little as 48 hours in advance Test takers receive results within 5 business days (typically 48 hours) Score reports are sent electronically, expediting the process 4
Test Center Overview Unrivaled security measures are applied consistently across all PTE Academic test centers. ID Check Biometrics Personal Belongings Testing Room Randomized test forms Paperless testing Breaks You are required to present one valid, non-expired form of identification. Typically this is your passport. Your photograph is taken and biometrics are collected. Biometrics include electronic signature and palm vein scanning. You are not permitted to bring any personal belongings into the testing room. The test center will provide you with secure storage facilities for you to store all your belongings while you take the test. The testing room will contain several computers separated by dividing panels, and you will be audio and video monitored at all times during the test. Your test and test score are fully computerized. Paperless testing further enhances test security by eliminating the possibility of exam papers being copied, stolen, leaked, or lost. You are presented with a test that is of comparable difficulty to the tests set to other test takers. No two test takers will be taking the same test in the same test center. You will be offered the opportunity to take a 10 minute break during the test. You will need to sign back into the room with your palm vein scan. 5
Test Taker Process in Iraq 1 2 3 4 1. Test taker registers online at www.pearsonpte.com. 2. Test taker tests at designated PTE Academic test center. 3. Test taker assigns score to institution. 4. Institution accesses test report via secure Score Report Website. 4
2 1 Presence in Iraq Presence in Iraq 5 3 = Current Test Center = Pending Test Center 6 = Targeted Test Center Location 4
Testing Price in Iraq: $210 1. University of Kurdistan Hewler Open: January 2014 2 Location: Erbil Testing Capacity: 9 seats Current testing: 5x per week / 2 sessions per day 2. University of Soran Open: June 2014 Location: Soran Testing Capacity: 10 seats Current testing: 3x per week / 1 session per day 3. University of Babylon Open: Pending Location: Babylon Pearson is always interested in opening new test centers! What is needed to become a test center? Admissions Area Test Room Computers Internet connectivity Chairs Desks Partitions Lockers Administration staff Pearson Security Kit (CCTV and Biometric equipment) More information on becoming a test center available here 7
4 1 3 Preparation Resources The Official Guide to PTE Academic Gives students detailed knowledge of the test Provides question practice with over 200 questions (3 tests), sample answers, and explanations PTE Academic Score Guide Helps students learn about scoring within the test and what scores mean PTE Academic Test Taker Handbook Directs students to information about the administrative aspects of taking the test 9 different language versions available PTE Academic Recommended Resources Boosts students academic English skills by using recommended published courses PTE Academic Practice Tests Plus Contains 4 new practice tests with authentic test questions by PTE Academic test writers Detailed guidance, strategies, and tips to teach you how to do each task type PTE Academic Expert Provides rigorous exam training for high achieving students Designed for in-class use MyEnglishLabs component PTE Academic Online Practice Resources Students can prepare for PTE Academic at home with the PTE Academic online scored practice test and test boosters. More information on preparation resources including pricing available here 8
Widely Recognized 9
How to Recognize and Accept Scores 1. Complete our online Institution Recognition Form. 2. The PTE Academic support team will be in touch shortly with log-in information and instructions for accessing the Score Report Website (SRW). 3. The PTE Academic website and university lists will soon be updated to promote your institution to the PTE Academic test taker community. 4. Set your accepted PTE Academic scores based on the concordance table below. 5. Update your own admissions webpages and materials to reflect that PTE Academic is now an accepted English language test. 6. Check the Score Report Website to access student test scores! Via the Score Report Website you can view score reports, listen to test takers personal introductions and download score data files. You will also be able to manage your program details and manage user accounts for those at your institution. We provide a scripted download service which allows you to automatically export score data. Please refer to the Score Data Download page for further information. For further assistance, contact customer service at pltsupport@pearson.com 10
Meet the PTE Academic Team Puck Fernsten, PTE-A Consultant Northeast / Mid Atlantic Region CT / DC / DE / MA / MD NC / NH / NY / RI / SC / VA P: 617.398.7825 E: Puck.Fernsten@pearson.com Kara Healey, PTE-A Consultant West Region AZ / CA / CO / HI / ID NV / OR / UT / WA P: 949.201.0979 E: Kara.Healey@pearson.com Alexandra Mele, PTE-A Consultant Central Region AL / AR / KY / MS / MT ND / TN / VT / WV / WY P: 914.287.8121 E: Alexandra.Mele@pearson.com Meredith Stokes, PTE-A Consultant Southwest Region FL / GA / KS / LA / MO NE / NM / OK / TX P: 903.474.5972 E: Meredith.Stokes@pearson.com Lesley Underwood, PTE-A Consultant Northeast/Midwest Region IA / IL / IN / MI / MN NJ / NYC / OH / PA / WI P: 607.319.9033 E: Lesley.Underwood@pearson.com Our consultants deliver presentations about the test, offer training on the Score Report Website, and provide vouchers for PTE Academic. Emma Stubbs Vice President, US ELT Sales and Language Testing P: +44 (0) 20 7010 2686 E: Emma.Stubbs@pearson.com Charles Hamilton International Director of Client Relations P: +44 (0) 20 7010 2628 E: Charles.Hamilton@pearson.com Catherine Licata US Director of Client Relations P: 201.364.8827 E: Catherine.Licata@pearson.com 11
UKH Testimony "The key mission of the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr is to promote the Kurdistan Region through academic excellence. Our collaboration with Pearson to establish a PTE Academic Training and Testing Center within the university s International English Language Center makes a significant contribution to this mission. Students from the region will now have much easier and faster access to an internationally accepted language qualification and so be able to continue their studies in universities around the world. UKH and Pearson are delighted to be involved in facilitating this." Ian Smallwood, Academic Registrar, University of Kurdistan Hewler Recognize PTE Academic today! You ll get access to fast, secure, and accurate English language proficiency test scores from Iraqi students. Fill out the form or contact your PTE Academic Consultant (see page 11) if you would like more information about our test. 12