The GMAT Group Collaborates With Pearson on New Test of English; Launch Set for October

MCLEAN, Virginia -

Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), a new English language test owned by Pearson and developed in collaboration with the Graduate Management Admission Council, will debut on October 26, 2009.

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), which owns and administers the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), began working with Pearson in 2006 to conceive and develop a test that would more accurately measure the English language skills of students than existing exams. The computer-based test includes speaking and voice recording capabilities; score reports sent to schools will include a 30 second audio clip of the test taker’s speech.

“We are delighted to be working with Pearson, the world-wide global leader in publishing and assessment for education, on such an innovative exam, one that will define world class. We consistently hear from universities that no test today provides an accurate measure of a prospective student’s speaking ability,” said David A. Wilson, president and CEO of GMAC. “Schools have a real need for a language assessment that measures the skills needed for successful class participation and group work, critical elements in graduate management education programs around the world.”

The test will be used by universities, higher education institutions, government departments and other organizations requiring English proficiency. More than 770 schools and programs worldwide have already indicated interest in recognizing the new test.

“PTE Academic will enable admissions professionals to listen to a recorded speech sample,” noted John Elliott, vice president and dean, Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College, City University of New York. “This element is critical in making difficult admission decisions. We also like its innovative design and other capabilities — and we know that it will be administered with the same high standards of security that characterize the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) — ensuring us that the test taker and the applicant for admission are the same person.” Zicklin, the largest U.S. school of business and a GMAC member, was the first in the U.S. to recognize PTE Academic.

For more information, visit www.pearsonpte.com.

About the Graduate Management Admission Council

The Graduate Management Admission Council is a nonprofit organization of leading graduate business schools worldwide dedicated to creating access to and disseminating information about graduate management education. GMAC is based in McLean, Virginia, with a European office in London. The Council owns the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), used by approximately 4,700 graduate management programs at some 1,900 business schools around the world to assess applicants. The GMAT is the first and only standardized test designed expressly for graduate business and management programs worldwide by business schools. It is available at more than 450 test centers in 110 countries. For more information about GMAC, visit www.gmac.com; for information about the GMAT, visit www.mba.com.

About Pearson Language Tests

Pearson Language Tests (PLT) is part of Pearson plc. PLT is developing PTE Academic in collaboration with the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).

About Pearson

Pearson (NYSE: PSO), the global leader in education and education technology, provides an extensive and comprehensive set of print and digital education materials for pre-K through college, student information and learning management systems, teacher professional development, career programs, and testing and assessment products that set the standard for the industry. Pearson VUE, a business of Pearson that delivers exams through the world’s most comprehensive and secure network of test centers, administers the GMAT exam. Pearson’s other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group. For more information, visit www.pearson.com.

Source: Graduate Management Admission Council

Judy Phair of the Graduate Management Admission Council, +1-703-245-0660, +1-202-903-3227 (cell), jphair at gmac.com