PTE Academic

A common trend among Bangladeshi students and young professionals is to attain higher studies at universities abroad or settle in developed countries. Many reasons exist behind their choices. Education system, job security, or hope for a better life drives them in a quest to the Western frontiers.

Among the most preferred countries for studying overseas or migrating, the United States of America, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Germany top the list. In Asia, countries like India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Japan and more recently China have been reported to be favourites among Bangladeshi students.

UNESCO Institute for Statistics reports that 60,390 Bangladeshis were pursuing higher education overseas in 2017. According to various media sources, the number of Bangladeshi students going to a foreign country to pursue higher studies has been increasing exponentially. In the above mentioned countries, a certain level of English language proficiency is required to get admission to the reputed educational institutions, and also to gain permanent resident status.

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic is a trusted English language proficiency test for universities, colleges, and governments around the world. It is gaining momentum among the Bangladeshi youth for many reasons. It is acceptable for Australia and New Zealand immigration applications along with university applications worldwide, including prominent institutions like Harvard Business School, INSEAD, Yale etc. PTE is accepted by various scholarship schemes like Chevening Scholarships, Australia Awards, UK Bar Standards Board and the like. PTE is also endorsed by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).

Shadman Shafique, an engineering graduate from Queensland University of Technology, Australia who appeared for the PTE Academic and scored 90 both overall and in each section – the highest score awarded – said that he was in need of the result as soon as possible to apply. He is happy with the result and also with the unbiasedness of the fully computer-generated scores. PTE is known to be unbiased as a computer marks the tests entirely, so there is no human bias.

Pearson is a UK-based education, publication, and assessment service to schools and corporations, and its core values drive to improve educational access, outcome and outreach across the globe, through professional endeavour grounded in research. With the tagline "Always Learning", Pearson created PTE Academic in response to demand from institutions, government, and other organisations as a more rigorous and accurate way of testing non-native English language students who enter the English-speaking world of academia. The test is designed to evaluate the current language and communication proficiency of non-native English speakers to participate in university/tertiary-level education programmes. Over 250 test centres around the world hold 100 percent computer-based PTE Academic tests around the year.

Kaniz Fatema, a PTE test taker and PTE Trainer based in Dhaka, informed that PTE Academic gradually attracts Bangladeshi students for English proficiency test taking for several reasons, most importantly, the test is easier than others to get good scores in the first attempt. It is also more convenient to get test schedules faster.

PTE Academic online-based test takes place at one go and for a maximum period of 3 hours, and test takers can expect their result to be mailed to them within 5 working days. 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 the candidates and should aid them with their acceptance of admission and processing. Digital biometrics incorporating palm-scanning, digital signatures, secure paperless results, randomised test formats, and CCTV footage are used with a view to ensuring the test authenticity. Another reason of choosing the test is that attendees can swiftly send their scores to as many institutions as they want without any additional fee.

Furthermore, PTE being an entirely computer-operated test, there is no risk of human error or impact. The prime reason for choosing PTE Academic is its sheer accuracy in measuring the reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities of the test takers. PTE also addresses what most of the other proficiency test systems do not – a latent training on real life communication skills. Through its unique test of enabling skills, PTE assesses some essential factors like pronunciation, range of vocabulary, ability to make sense of information received and the like which are vital to not just securing the desired or required score but for the real, immediate communication in the socio-academic context once the candidates are abroad pursuing their studies, careers, or social life.

To avail PTE training or test service, it has two state-of-the-art test centres based in Dhanmondi and Uttara in Bangladesh. Its interactive website www.pearsonpte.com provides all the relevant and updated information.

For further updates, it is recommended to visit facebook.com/Pearson.Bangladesh

The write is a freelance journalist and would appreciate comments at radiadhk@gmail.com