International Certificate | Pearson qualifications
Quality assurance Test inspection

Pearson English International Certificate (PTE General)

Centres conducting International Certificate (PTE General) exams (A1, L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5) are to ensure that exams are conducted as per International Certificate (PTE General) conditions as found in the International Certificate (PTE General) handbook.

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This includes:

  • Receiving material
  • Securely storing material
  • Sitting the exam (Invigilator)
  • Monitoring and reporting malpractice
  • Returning material to the UK

Inspections will either be conducted via a visit (unnanounced) or via a remote, virtual inspection (announced). Please see the tabs below for more information on these 2 methods.

The inspection will be broken down into 6 key stages:

  • How materials are received and logged by the centre
  • How materials are transported to the secure room and secured in a lockable storage unit
  • How materials are checked,what to look for and what action needs to be taken if concerns identified
  • Question about access to the secure room and how this is controlled
  • Review the secure room and lockable storage unit
  • Security of onscreen tests, control of password and admin rights.
  • Test Manager (person responsible for the test on the day) understanding of their role
  • How many invigilators are present during the test and their understanding of the role
  • How invigilators can summon assistance whilst maintaining invigilator ratios
  • Appropriate technical support for onscreen tests.
  • Check the room to ensure it is set up, ready and suitable for the test/exam (exam notices, seating arrangements, no reference material on walls, a working clock and test details are displayed)
  • A copy of the relevant handbook/support documents (paper or electronic)
  • A copy of a seating plan is available (showing any candidates with special arrangements or resits)
  • Any audio equipment available, tested and suitable for the room / number of candidates
  • Workstations for onscreen tests have been checked with spares available.
  • How candidates enter the test room, the checking of candidate ID and the registration process
  • The opening and distribution of test papers
  • The warning to candidates and instructions
  • Instructions to include what to do in the case of an emergency:
    • Instructions to be adapted to meet “exam conditions”
    • Candidates to remain under exam conditions (segregated, supervised and not to talk to anyone whilst outside).
  • Ensure prohibited items have been removed and not used during the test:
    • Bags and coats to be left at the front of the room or outside the room, if possible
    • No mobile phones or web-enabled devises
    • Watches to be removed and placed on the desk in front of them
    • Water bottles to have no labels (clear bottles only)
    • If pencil cases are required they are to be clear, see-through.
  • How the live test/exam is conducted
  • How the invigilators conduct their role
  • Looking for signs of candidate malpractice (cheating).
  • How candidates finish their test/exam and the collection of their papers
  • The final sealing of papers
  • How answer sheets and other materials are securely stored until the return to Pearson
  • The close-down of onscreen tests
  • How invigilators / exam managers notify Pearson of any late arrivals, disturbances or malpractice.

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A copy of the report form used can be found under the relevant section below.

Test inspectors will be randomly allocated to conduct inspections to ensure that Pearson conditions are being adhered too. This is to ensure that papers remain secure, exams are being conducted appropriately and that candidates are not being disadvantaged. 

Once inspected. the inspector will submit their findings to the Test Inspection team (the inspector will not confirm the outcome of the inspection on the day). The team will then send the report with any identified actions to the centre within 10 working days.

2025 test dates

Session Feb 25
Access arrangements request deadline 18 Jan
Deadline for submission of interlocutor/assessor application forms
18 Jan
Entry window opens 13 Dec 24
Modified papers request deadline 13 Dec 24
Diacritic certificate requests open 13 Dec 24
Entry deadline 10 Jan
Deadline for submission of the Test Notification Form 17 Jan
Test taker withdrawal deadline 31 Jan
Oral test period start 01 Feb
Oral test period end 15 Feb
Written test 15 Feb
Deadline for completed tests to be received by Pearson
20 Feb
Upload for LWT audio submission 21 Feb
Deadline for special consideration requests to be received by Pearson 22 Feb
Diacritic certificate request closes 22 Feb
Results available via Edexcel Online 31 Mar
Results despatched by post from UK 31 Mar
Review of marking submission window - start 07 Apr
Review of marking submission window - end 21 Apr
Performance reports sent by email from the UK 08 Apr
Certificates dispatched by post from UK 08 Apr
Diacritic certificates dispatched by post from UK 14 Apr
Session Mar 25
Access arrangements request deadline 22 Feb
Deadline for submission of interlocutor/assessor application forms
22 Feb
Entry window opens 17 Jan
Modified papers request deadline 17 Jan
Diacritic certificate requests open 17 Jan
Entry deadline 14 Feb
Deadline for submission of the Test Notification Form 21 Feb
Test taker withdrawal deadline 07 Mar
Oral test period start 08 Mar
Oral test period end 22 Mar
Written test 22 Mar
Deadline for completed tests to be received by Pearson
27 Mar
Upload for LWT audio submission 28 Mar
Deadline for special consideration requests to be received by Pearson 29 Mar
Diacritic certificate request closes 29 Mar
Results available via Edexcel Online 06 May*
Results despatched by post from UK 06 May*
Review of marking submission window - start 12 May
Review of marking submission window - end 26 May
Performance reports sent by email from the UK 12 May
Certificates dispatched by post from UK 12 May
Diacritic certificates dispatched by post from UK 19 May

* Results available online / dispatched on May 6 due to Bank Holiday in the UK

Session May 25
Access arrangements request deadline 19 Apr
Deadline for submission of interlocutor/assessor application forms
19 Apr
Entry window opens 14 Mar
Modified papers request deadline 14 Mar
Diacritic certificate requests open 14 Mar
Entry deadline 11 Apr
Deadline for submission of the Test Notification Form 18 Apr
Test taker withdrawal deadline 02 May
Oral test period start 03 May
Oral test period end 17 May
Written test 17 May
Deadline for completed tests to be received by Pearson
22 May
Upload for LWT audio submission 23 May
Deadline for special consideration requests to be received by Pearson 24 May
Diacritic certificate request closes 24 May
Results available via Edexcel Online 30 Jun
Results despatched by post from UK 30 Jun
Review of marking submission window - start 07 Jul
Review of marking submission window - end 21 Jul
Performance reports sent by email from the UK 07 Jul
Certificates dispatched by post from UK 07 Jul
Diacritic certificates dispatched by post from UK 14 Jul
Session Jun 25
Access arrangements request deadline 24 May
Deadline for submission of interlocutor/assessor application forms
24 May
Entry window opens 18 Apr
Modified papers request deadline 18 Apr
Diacritic certificate requests open 18 Apr
Entry deadline 16 May
Deadline for submission of the Test Notification Form 23 May
Test taker withdrawal deadline 06 Jun
Oral test period start 07 Jun
Oral test period end 21 Jun
Written test 21 Jun
Deadline for completed tests to be received by Pearson
26 Jun
Upload for LWT audio submission 27 Jun
Deadline for special consideration requests to be received by Pearson 28 Jun
Diacritic certificate request closes 28 Jun
Results available via Edexcel Online 04 Aug
Results despatched by post from UK 04 Aug
Review of marking submission window - start 11 Aug
Review of marking submission window - end 25 Aug
Performance reports sent by email from the UK 11 Aug
Certificates dispatched by post from UK 11 Aug
Diacritic certificates dispatched by post from UK 18 Aug
Session Oct 25
Access arrangements request deadline 13 Sep
Deadline for submission of interlocutor/assessor application forms
13 Sep
Entry window opens 08 Aug
Modified papers request deadline 08 Aug
Diacritic certificate requests open 08 Aug
Entry deadline 05 Sep
Deadline for submission of the Test Notification Form 12 Sep
Test taker withdrawal deadline 26 Sep
Oral test period start 27 Sep
Oral test period end 11 Oct
Written test 11 Oct
Deadline for completed tests to be received by Pearson
16 Oct
Upload for LWT audio submission 17 Oct
Deadline for special consideration requests to be received by Pearson 18 Oct
Diacritic certificate request closes 18 Oct
Results available via Edexcel Online 24 Nov
Results despatched by post from UK 24 Nov
Review of marking submission window - start 01 Dec
Review of marking submission window - end 15 Dec
Performance reports sent by email from the UK 01 Dec
Certificates dispatched by post from UK 01 Dec
Diacritic certificates dispatched by post from UK 08 Dec
Session Nov 25
Access arrangements request deadline 11 Oct
Deadline for submission of interlocutor/assessor application forms
11 Oct
Entry window opens 05 Sep
Modified papers request deadline 05 Sep
Diacritic certificate requests open 05 Sep
Entry deadline 03 Oct
Deadline for submission of the Test Notification Form 10 Oct
Test taker withdrawal deadline 24 Oct
Oral test period start 25 Oct
Oral test period end 08 Nov
Written test 08 Nov
Deadline for completed tests to be received by Pearson
13 Nov
Upload for LWT audio submission 14 Nov
Deadline for special consideration requests to be received by Pearson 15 Nov
Diacritic certificate request closes 15 Nov
Results available via Edexcel Online 05 Jan 26
Results despatched by post from UK 05 Jan 26
Review of marking submission window - start 12 Jan 26
Review of marking submission window - end 26 Jan 26
Performance reports sent by email from the UK 12 Jan 26
Certificates dispatched by post from UK 12 Jan 26
Diacritic certificates dispatched by post from UK 19 Jan 26
Session Dec 25
Access arrangements request deadline 15 Nov
Deadline for submission of interlocutor/assessor application forms
15 Nov
Entry window opens 03 Oct
Modified papers request deadline 03 Oct
Diacritic certificate requests open 03 Oct
Entry deadline 31 Oct
Deadline for submission of the Test Notification Form 07 Nov
Test taker withdrawal deadline 28 Nov
Oral test period start 29 Nov
Oral test period end 13 Dec
Written test 13 Dec
Deadline for completed tests to be received by Pearson
18 Dec
Upload for LWT audio submission 19 Dec
Deadline for special consideration requests to be received by Pearson 02 Jan 26
Diacritic certificate request closes 02 Jan 26
Results available via Edexcel Online 09 Feb 26
Results despatched by post from UK 09 Feb 26
Review of marking submission window - start 16 Feb 26
Review of marking submission window - end 02 Mar 26
Performance reports sent by email from the UK 16 Feb 26
Certificates dispatched by post from UK 16 Feb 26
Diacritic certificates dispatched by post from UK 23 Feb 26

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Types of inspection applicable to the International Certificate (PTE General)

User tabs

Inspections are conducted via a visit. Centres will not be informed in advance of an inspection.

On the day of the inspection

A Pearson test inspector will turn up an hour before the test/exam is due to start and will ask to speak to a named senior member of staff (Head of Centre, Exams Officer or nominated Exams Manager).

The Pearson Test Inspector will have a letter of authority with a contact number that you can call should you require clarification that the inspector is genuine (the safety of your staff and candidates is paramount so please call the number on the letter should you have any concerns).

The inspector will need access to:

  • Secure storage area
  • Question key staff
  • Exam room (pre exam)
  • Exam room (during the exam).

The inspector will conduct their report* and will submit to the Test Inspection team (this inspector will not confirm the outcome of the inspection on the day). The team will then send the report with any identified actions to the centre within 10 working days.

The inspection will last no longer than 4 hours and will only observe 1 test.

The inspector will NOT speak with any candidates

* The report that the inspector will use can be found below. This is available for you to use. The report does contain links to appropriate support documents which will assist you in running the test/exam.

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Centres will be informed 10 working days in advance of a remote inspection.

The platform that will be used for the remote inspection will be confirmed by the Test Inspection team

The Test Inspection team will contact the centre in advance to confirm the start time and to identify the centre's user details (name, email address and phone number) so that account can be added.

On the day of inspection

Pearson Test Inspectors will start the meeting an hour before the test/exam is due to start. The nominated centre user will join the meeting using the details provided by the Test Inspection team.

Centre users are to ensure that they log in using the application and not the browser version of the platform to be used.

The inspector will need to:

  • View the secure storage area
  • Question key exam staff
  • View the exam room (pre-exam)
  • Observe the exam room (during the exam).

The inspection will last no longer than 4 hours and will observe only 1 test.

The inspections will not be recorded.

The Inspector will not speak with any candidates.

The inspector will complete and submit their report and will submit to the Test Inspection team (this inspector will not confirm the outcome of the inspection on the day). The team will then send the report, with any identified actions, to the centre within 10 working days.

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Centres will be informed of the PEIC oral test inspection 10 working days prior to the scheduled remote inspection. 

The platform used for remote inspection will be confirmed by the Test Inspection team. 

The test inspection team will contact the centre in advance to confirm the PEIC oral test start time, centre user details (name and email address), and interlocutor details so the account can be made. 

On the day of the inspection 

The test inspection will start an hour before the PEIC oral test is due to start. The nominated centre user will join the meeting using the details and meeting link provided by the Test Inspection team. 

The inspector will need to: 

  • Ask questions to the key exam staff 
  • Ask questions to the interlocutor 
  • View the exam room (before the start of the oral test) 
  • Observe the conduct of spoken test (during the oral test) 

The inspection will last no longer than 4 hours and will observe only 1 test level. 

The inspector will not speak to any candidates. 

The inspector will complete and submit their report to the Test Inspection team (the inspector will not confirm the outcome of the inspection on the day). The team will then send the report, with any identified actions, to the centre within 10 working days. 

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