English testing provider Pearson has opened two test centres in Melbourne and Adelaide to bring its tally to five new centres in Australia this year.
The two centres join those opened in Perth, Sydney and Brisbane, and the organisation said plans are underway to expand into regional locations next year.
“In 2018 alone we have opened 12 new centres across Australia and the world”
“There is great demand for an accurate, objective, secure and innovative test,” managing director, Pearson Asia Pacific, David Barnett said in a statement.
“In 2018 alone we have opened 12 new centres across Australia and the world, and we will be opening four more this year in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.”
The new test centres will deliver the Pearson Test of English Academic, a computer-based test of English which is used for university admission and immigration purposes.
Politicians and international education stakeholders joined the opening ceremony at both locations and tried their hand at the test.
Among others, federal minister for trade, tourism and investment (and former minister for education and training) Simon Birmingham, and South Australia minister for trade, tourism and investment David Ridgway were at the Adelaide centre opening on 8 October, while IEAA’s Phil Honeywood joined the Melbourne opening on 18 October.
Sasha Hampson, head of English Pearson APAC, told The PIE News that Pearson has partnered with 17 higher education providers to open PTE Academic test centres across Australia, bringing the total number of centres to 29, from six a few years ago.
“As demand for PTE Academic grows Pearson is set to expand into regional locations in 2019 opening test centres in Cairns, Darwin, Hobart and Newcastle,” she added.
Hampson attributed the quick expansion of the PTE Academic to its operating model.
“Market research demonstrates the key features that attract students and aspiring migrants to PTE Academic are the speed of results, flexible test dates and objective assessment achieved through automated scoring,” she explained.
The growth marks a positive step for the global teaching and testing provider, after chairman Sidney Taurel said it was a “in the midst of a transformation” following a period of downturn which resulted in the sale of Wall Street English and a cut to dividends.
