Pearson, the publisher of The Economist magazine, has just launched a brand new English proficiency exam, which they are hoping will grow to be as popular as the TOEFL is today. The new exam is called the Pearson Test of English (PTE). There are three forms of the new exam. The one that will interest TOEFL students the most is the PTE Academic. Already over 500 universities, including top ones like Yale, have announced that they will accept PTE Academic scores from international students. In addition to the academic exam, there is also a PTE General, and a PTE for Young Learners.
The first PTE Academic will be administered in India in November 2009. Of course, since it is such a new exam, there is hardly any material to help one study for it. The TOEFL has been around for a long, long time. Even the current version, the TOEFL iBT, has been around for years now, so there are a lot of text books, sample exams, and free internet resources like this one to help one study for the it. It will take some time for this amount of material to appear for the new PTE Academic.
Well, it is very good to have competition in the field. However I doubt how Pearson will manage to penetrate the market. The acceptance from the universities is OK, they are all in search of new tests ease the potential students. But the infrastructure, test centres I mean is very hard to develop. I wish them success.
I agree with the other blogger. Pearson will have difficulties penetrating the market. Heck, the TOEFL is having a hard time penetrating the market. In California, many state schools are negative toward any type of testing that tries to dominate the market, especially ETS. Therefore, these state universities have gotten around using the TOEFL. Instead, if an international student passes the highest level in their intensive English program, he/she is given a “TOEFL waiver” and is allowed to enter the school.
Helpful information. Thank you for sharing.
i think that segmented market can be explored with many diversity products…
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My question is – Have you seen the new 2012 TOEFL books from ETS? The 4th edition of the Official Guide to the TOEFL, and volume 1 of Official TOEFL iBT Tests? I’ve reviewed them and I was wondering what you thought of them if you’ve seen them? Thanks!
I think that the only real competition is IELTS Pearson has a long way to go to be able to compete.
I would say stay away from TOEFL if you have other options. PTE is a good substitute. The problem with ETS, the administrators for TOEFL is that they are too strict in their assessment of what THEY perceive to be a fair score. Consequently, I know of many students who have had their scores cancelled because ETS suspects a malpractice even if there was nothing going on. THey have the right to cancel scores without refund or retest. Bottom line: Stay away from TOEFL if you have a choice
Toefl being one of the most popular english proficiency exams that students in India opt, it will be very difficult for Pearson to compete and bring their exam to the same level of popularity. Also what is their USP over Toefl?