Our global network of test centres consists of over 400 company-owned and -operated Pearson Professional Centres (PPCs) and over 3,700 independently-owned Pearson VUE Test Centres (PVTCs).
We will work with you to understand which overseas locations would be suitable and where the demand for your test programme will be greatest. The Consortium will benefit from our existing network and will be able to make the test available overseas from 2006 so there would be no disparity between overseas and UK candidates.
All global centres operate to accredited levels of security and fall into one of three Pearson categories, details of which can be found below:| Characteristic | Pearson VUE Test Centre (PVTC) | Pearson VUE Test Centre-Select (PVTC-Select) | Pearson Professional Centre (PPC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site ownership, selection/approval | Independently-owned, application and approval process | Independently-owned but hand selected to complement the Pearson Professional Centres | Company-owned and -managed |
| Surveillance | Direct line-of-sight through window, video monitoring or TA in room | Digital audio/video monitoring and recording, direct line-of-sight | Digital audio/video monitoring and recording, direct line-of-sight through patented proctor station |
| Server security | Shared server | Dedicated secure server in locked room | Dedicated secure server in locked room |
| Biometrics | Manual signature on log book | Digital fingerprint, signature and photo | Digital fingerprint, signature and photo |
| Building standard | Varies | High | Highest |
| Test Centre design and layout | Basic facility requirements including separate check-in area - Pearson VUE branded | Intermediate facility requirements, including dedicated testing room, separate check-in area, physical dividers between test stations and one locker per test station - Pearson VUE branded | Advanced facility design including dedicated testing room, separate check-in area, physical dividers between test stations and one locker per test station, uniform appearance, Pearson branded |
| Management of seat availability | By site | By Pearson VUE and site to KPI (Key Performance Indicator) | By Pearson VUE to KPI (Key Performance Indicator) |
| Staffing | Minimum one TA | Minimum two TAs on site, one continuously proctoring | Minimum two TAs on site, one continuously proctoring |
| Staff certification | Initial TA certification | Annual TA re-certification | Annual TA re-certification |
| Training, communication and support | Basic | Advanced | Advanced |
| Site audits | Occasional | Annual | Semi-annual |