PEARSON, the British publishing company, has developed a new international computer-based English language test — the Pearson Test of English Academic. The test will go on sale in October, The New York Times has reported.
The new test is intended to measure the reading, writing, listening and speaking ability of people who are non-native speakers of English and who want to study at institutions where English is the principal language of instruction. It will compete with TOEFL and IELTS. Pearson estimates that about two million such tests are taken annually, mostly by business-school applicants and job seekers.
Pearson says the cost of test will range from $150 to $210, depending on the country, roughly in line with its competitors. At prices like that, such tests, over all, generate several hundred million dollars in annual revenue. According to the company, it has commitments to recognize its test results, or is in the process of getting them, from 770 educational programs. It will use computers rather than humans to grade its test, reducing the waiting time for results.
