Pearson Test of English, a standard language test examination for high school graduates, popularly known as PTE, used to be a comparatively new name for Nepali high school graduates until a decade ago. It has now taken them by storm.

PTE's smart Artificial Intelligence, its adaptability in modern smart devices, hassle-free and student-friendly examination system along with its standard examination has attracted many students in Nepal. Moreover, PTE's acceptance by universities and educational institutions in Nepalis' favoured destination countries such as Australia, UK, US, and New Zealand has also encouraged more and more students and non-students to opt for PTE tests.

PTE has become so popular in recent time that there is no examination seat available in the country until July end. Nearly 6,000 Nepali students appear for PTE examination each month through its four testing centres in the country, each of them operating six sessions of examinations per day. Premila Paulraj, Pearson UK director of Employability and Qualifications of South Asia, is here in Nepal to address the growing demand of students for PTE in the country.

Paulraj, who hails from Colombo, Sri Lanka, possesses better understanding of Nepali students' psychographic as she opines that the PTE could soon be the ultimate preference of English language testing method among Nepalis.

"I have noticed that PTE has become the preferred choice among Nepali students, especially when they choose Australia for student or other forms of Visas. Full acceptability of PTE in Australia has made us market leaders among all the other tests in Nepal and in South Asia," Paulraj said.

Currently Australia and the UK, among preferred destinations, provide full acceptability of the PTE while above 85 per cent of colleges in the US, Canada or other western countries accept the PTE grading system.

Quoting different researches, Paulraj said that Australia is the most preferred destination among Nepalis.

However, she also stressed that more Nepalis who wish to go to the USA or the UK can also join the PTE.

Higher education in foreign countries where English is the primary language of study requires mandatory examination to test student's ability to understand certain standard of the English language among non-native English speakers.

Such students are required to appear for four kinds of tests; Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

However, PTE, unlike other examinations is more student-friendly while maintaining the standard of examination at its best, Paulraj claimed.

PTE is a complete computer-based examination where its algorithm examines capacity of students in the most effective way. PTE does not require hand-written test or speaking in person with examinee as such system often creates pressure among students and students feel more comfortable appearing for examination on computers these days. The learning materials of PTE is also technology-friendly as students with smart devices can easily, and in a fun environment, practise the tests.

During the examination, cheating or any kind or untoward activities is also reduced to almost nil because the questions are unique for students as asked by the PTE's artificial intelligence. Similarly, the PTE examination duration has been reduced to two hours from the conventional three hours examination, which gives less pressure to students during examination.

Paulraj said she and her colleagues at Pearson are in constant touch to increase capacity in Nepal. Only 10 days ago, they established a new testing centre and they are hoping to establish another within a couple of months.