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.

2024 test dates

Session Feb 24
Access arrangements request deadline 13 Jan
Deadline for submission of interlocutor/assessor application forms
13 Jan
Entry window opens 08 Dec 23
Modified papers request deadline 08 Dec 23
Diacritic certificate requests open 08 Dec 23
Entry deadline 05 Jan
Deadline for submission of the Inspection Form 12 Jan
Test taker withdrawal deadline 26 Jan
Oral test period start 27 Jan
Oral test period end 10 Feb
Written test 10 Feb
Deadline for completed tests to be received by Pearson
15 Feb
Upload for LWT audio submission 16 Feb
Deadline for special consideration requests to be received by Pearson 17 Feb
Diacritic certificate request closes 17 Feb
Results available via Edexcel Online 25 Mar
Results despatched by post from UK 25 Mar
Review of marking submission window - start 01 Apr
Review of marking submission window - end 15 Apr
Performance reports sent by email from the UK 02 Apr
Certificates dispatched by post from UK 02 Apr
Diacritic certificates dispatched by post from UK 08 Apr
Session Mar 24
Access arrangements request deadline 24 Feb
Deadline for submission of interlocutor/assessor application forms
24 Feb
Entry window opens 19 Jan
Modified papers request deadline 19 Jan
Diacritic certificate requests open 19 Jan
Entry deadline 16 Feb
Deadline for submission of the Inspection Form 23 Feb
Test taker withdrawal deadline 08 Mar
Oral test period start 09 Mar
Oral test period end 23 Mar
Written test 23 Mar
Deadline for completed tests to be received by Pearson
28 Mar
Upload for LWT audio submission 29 Mar
Deadline for special consideration requests to be received by Pearson 30 Mar
Diacritic certificate request closes 30 Mar
Results available via Edexcel Online 07 May*
Results despatched by post from UK 07 May**
Review of marking submission window - start 13 May
Review of marking submission window - end 27 May
Performance reports sent by email from the UK 13 May
Certificates dispatched by post from UK 13 May
Diacritic certificates dispatched by post from UK 20 May

* Results available on May 7 due to Bank Holiday in the UK
** Results destached by post from the UK on May 7 due to Bank Holiday in the UK

Session May 24
Access arrangements request deadline 20 Apr
Deadline for submission of interlocutor/assessor application forms
20 Apr
Entry window opens 15 Mar
Modified papers request deadline 15 Mar
Diacritic certificate requests open 15 Mar
Entry deadline 12 Apr
Deadline for submission of the Inspection Form 19 Apr
Test taker withdrawal deadline 03 May
Oral test period start 04 May
Oral test period end 18 May
Written test 18 May
Deadline for completed tests to be received by Pearson
23 May
Upload for LWT audio submission 24 May
Deadline for special consideration requests to be received by Pearson 25 May
Diacritic certificate request closes 25 May
Results available via Edexcel Online 01 Jul
Results despatched by post from UK 01 Jul
Review of marking submission window - start 08 Jul
Review of marking submission window - end 22 Jul
Performance reports sent by email from the UK 08 Jul
Certificates dispatched by post from UK 08 Jul
Diacritic certificates dispatched by post from UK 15 Jul
Session Jun 24
Access arrangements request deadline 25 May
Deadline for submission of interlocutor/assessor application forms
25 May
Entry window opens 19 Apr
Modified papers request deadline 19 Apr
Diacritic certificate requests open 19 Apr
Entry deadline 17 May
Deadline for submission of the Inspection Form 24 May
Test taker withdrawal deadline 07 Jun
Oral test period start 08 Jun
Oral test period end 22 Jun
Written test 22 Jun
Deadline for completed tests to be received by Pearson
27 Jun
Upload for LWT audio submission 28 Jun
Deadline for special consideration requests to be received by Pearson 29 Jun
Diacritic certificate request closes 29 Jun
Results available via Edexcel Online 05 Aug
Results despatched by post from UK 05 Aug
Review of marking submission window - start 12 Aug
Review of marking submission window - end 26 Aug
Performance reports sent by email from the UK 12 Aug
Certificates dispatched by post from UK 12 Aug
Diacritic certificates dispatched by post from UK 19 Aug
Session Oct 24
Access arrangements request deadline 21 Sep
Deadline for submission of interlocutor/assessor application forms
21 Sep
Entry window opens 16 Aug
Modified papers request deadline 16 Aug
Diacritic certificate requests open 16 Aug
Entry deadline 13 Sep
Deadline for submission of the Inspection Form 20 Sep
Test taker withdrawal deadline 04 Oct
Oral test period start 05 Oct
Oral test period end 19 Oct
Written test 19 Oct
Deadline for completed tests to be received by Pearson
24 Oct
Upload for LWT audio submission 25 Oct
Deadline for special consideration requests to be received by Pearson 26 Oct
Diacritic certificate request closes 26 Oct
Results available via Edexcel Online 02 Dec
Results despatched by post from UK 02 Dec
Review of marking submission window - start 02 Dec
Review of marking submission window - end 16 Dec
Performance reports sent by email from the UK 09 Dec
Certificates dispatched by post from UK 09 Dec
Diacritic certificates dispatched by post from UK 16 Dec
Session Nov 24
Access arrangements request deadline 19 Oct
Deadline for submission of interlocutor/assessor application forms
19 Oct
Entry window opens 13 Sep
Modified papers request deadline 13 Sep
Diacritic certificate requests open 13 Sep
Entry deadline 11 Oct
Deadline for submission of the Inspection Form 18 Nov
Test taker withdrawal deadline 01 Nov
Oral test period start 02 Nov
Oral test period end 16 Nov
Written test 16 Nov
Deadline for completed tests to be received by Pearson
21 Nov
Upload for LWT audio submission 22 Nov
Deadline for special consideration requests to be received by Pearson 23 Nov
Diacritic certificate request closes 23 Nov
Results available via Edexcel Online 13 Jan 25
Results despatched by post from UK 13 Jan 25
Review of marking submission window - start 20 Jan 25
Review of marking submission window - end 03 Feb 25
Performance reports sent by email from the UK 20 Jan 25
Certificates dispatched by post from UK 20 Jan 25
Diacritic certificates dispatched by post from UK 27 Jan 25
Session Dec 24
Access arrangements request deadline 16 Nov
Deadline for submission of interlocutor/assessor application forms
16 Nov
Entry window opens 04 Oct
Modified papers request deadline 04 Oct
Diacritic certificate requests open 04 Oct
Entry deadline 01 Nov
Deadline for submission of the Inspection Form 08 Nov
Test taker withdrawal deadline 29 Nov
Oral test period start 30 Nov
Oral test period end 14 Dec
Written test 14 Dec
Deadline for completed tests to be received by Pearson
19 Dec
Upload for LWT audio submission 20 Dec
Deadline for special consideration requests to be received by Pearson 03 Jan 25
Diacritic certificate request closes 03 Jan 25
Results available via Edexcel Online 10 Feb 25
Results despatched by post from UK 10 Feb 25
Review of marking submission window - start 17 Feb 25
Review of marking submission window - end 03 Mar 25
Performance reports sent by email from the UK 17 Feb 25
Certificates dispatched by post from UK 17 Feb 25
Diacritic certificates dispatched by post from UK 24 Feb 25

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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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