Test centre fact sheet

www.pearsonpte.com

Becoming a PTE Academic
Approved Test Centre


1. Physical Requirements
All test centres must have the following facilities:
Registration room
• Administrator PC
• Waiting area
• Lockers

Test delivery room
• Workstation PCs
• Partitions
• Chairs

Server room
• Locked room storing
the file server

The Logitech camera must be stored
on the Administrator’s desk

The biometric
kit should be
stored on the
Administrator’s
desk

The external building must have company
signage making the building easily identifiable

A chair must be used to
seat test takers when
capturing their photograph

Administrator must
have access to a
printer and scanner

Registration
Room

The Administrator’s PC will be used to
monitor test takers via CCTV footage

The waiting area must have one
locker for every workstation in
the testing room

Internal signage directing test
takers to the registration and
testing room

Bathrooms must be
located near to the
testing room

Bathrooms

The waiting area must have one chair for
every workstation in the testing room
Desks must measure
1.2 metres wide

Desk chairs must
be comfortable and
height-adjustable

1

A microphone
must be placed in
the centre of the room

Partitions must measure
1.5 metres in height

Server
Room

Testing
Room

The server must
be stored in a
locked room

P

CCTV cameras are installed
in the testing room and the
registration room
The building
must have
parking spaces
and/or access to
public transport


2. Technical Specifications
Administrator PC
Processor
RAM
Hard Drive
Operating
System
Video
Adapter
Display
Mouse &
Keyboard
DVD-ROM
Audio Card
USB
Network
Connection
Internet
Connection
Browser

Printer
Scanner
Anti-Virus

2

Windows compatible Intel or AMD dual or multi-core processor. The Intel Atom line and AMD Neo line of processors are not permitted
2GB
NTFS Format with at least 40 GB available space
Windows 7 Professional or Enterprise (32 bit) with NTFS file system required or Windows XP Professional (32 bit) with Service Pack 3, NTFS file
system required. Windows Vista and any 64 bit versions of Windows are not currently supported. Virtual machine and thin client environments (e.g.
VMware, Virtual PC, VirtualBox, Parallels, HP, Wyse, etc.) strictly prohibited
True colour (32 bit). 1024 x 768 pixels. 128 MB Video. RAM Video adapter must support DirectX 9c or higher
17 inch or larger (CRT or flat panel)
Mouse, English QWERTY Keyboard
Drive Required
Windows audio compatible
Minimum of 5 ports required for mouse, keyboard, admissions camera, palm vein, and signature pad. May need additional port for scanner
Network Interface Card (1). Ethernet card 100 mbps between workstation and switch – with internet access.
Cabling Ethernet/CAT 5E or better /RJ45. Wireless network connections not permitted
Broadband (DSL, cable or LAN/WAN) required. Minimum 512kbps upload.
Total bandwidth must support 25 kbps Down/10 kbps Up for each Delivery workstation
Internet Explorer 7.0 or 8.0
Laser 600 dpi with Postscript support, accessible from Administration and Delivery workstations
Flatbed colour scanner
Software installed, enabled and regularly updated


Workstation PC
Processor

RAM
Hard Drive
Operating
System
Video
Adapter
Display
Mouse &
Keyboard
DVD-ROM
Audio Card
USB
Network
Connection
Internet
Connection
Browser
Anti-Virus

3

Windows compatible Intel or AMD dual or multi-core processor. The Intel Atom line and AMD Neo line of processors are not permitted
2GB
NTFS Format with at least 60 GB available space
Windows 7 Professional or Enterprise (32 bit) with NTFS file system required or Windows XP Professional (32 bit) with Service Pack 3, NTFS file
system required. Windows Vista and any 64 bit versions of Windows are not currently supported. Virtual machine and thin client environments (e.g.
VMware, Virtual PC, VirtualBox, Parallels, HP, Wyse, etc.) strictly prohibited
True colour (32 bit). 1024 x 768 pixels. 128 MB Video. RAM Video adapter must support DirectX 9c or higher
17 inch or larger (CRT or flat panel)
Mouse, English QWERTY Keyboard

Drive required
Windows audio compatible
3 ports required for mouse, keyboard and headset
Network Interface Card (1). Ethernet card 100 mbps between workstation and switch – with internet access.
Cabling Ethernet/CAT 5E or better /RJ45. Wireless network connections not permitted
Broadband (DSL, cable or LAN/WAN) required. Minimum 512kbps upload.
Total bandwidth must support 25 kbps Down/10 kbps Up for each Delivery workstation
Internet Explorer 7.0 or 8.0
Software installed, enabled and regularly updated


Server
Processor
RAM
Hard Drive
Operating System

Additional Software
Components
DVD-ROM
Network
Connections
Power Supply
System Backup
Anti-Virus

4

Windows compatible Intel or AMD dual or multi-core processor. The Intel Atom line and AMD Neo line of processors are not permitted
2GB

60 GB available space
Windows Server 2008 (more than 20 Windows 7 or 9 Windows XP workstations), 32 bit only, NTFS file system, with latest supported
Service Pack or Windows 2003 Server (more than 20 Windows 7 or 9 Windows XP workstations), 32 bit only, NTFS file system, with
latest supported Service Pack Windows or Windows 7 Professional or Enterprise (1 - 20 workstations), 32 bit, NTFS file system required.
Virtual machine and thin client environments (e.g., VMware, Virtual PC, VirtualBox, Parallels, HP, Wyse, etc.) strictly prohibited
Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.0 with Service Pack 1 (x86)
Drive required
Network Interface Card Ethernet card 1 GB full 100 mbps from server to switch, wireless networking not permitted, cabling Ethernet /
CAT 5E or better /RJ45. Novell NetWare not supported
UPS recommended
Performed daily
Software installed, enabled and regularly updated


Pearson Security Kit
The Security Kit must be purchased through Pearson and cannot be sourced independently.
Security Camera
DVR
E-Pad
Palm Vein
Bio Camera
Workstation Kit

5

EZ Dome camera, EZ Dome camera cable, EZ Dome camera power supply
DVR GX780 imaged Pearson EZ Watch cards-4 channel
E-pad VP9801
Palm Vein cable, Pearson Palm Vein hand guide, Palm Vein sensor
Logitech Quick Cam Pro9000

Headset, HW121N, Canada, US Kit, AVS, DVR, Microphone, instruct/set-up PTE-A media installer, PTE-A media installer v7


3. Staffing Requirements
Test Centre Administrator
Administrators are responsible for registering and invigilating test takers on test day.
At least two staff must be trained and certified as Test Administrators, however, only one
Administrator will need to be present during testing at any one time.

IT Technician
The Test Centre must have access to a member of their IT team for the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•

6

Installation of Pearson Testing Kit including networking cameras to a DVR
Set-up and networking of all workstations to one server
Installation of Pearson test software onto all workstations and the Administrator PC
Installing and implementing new software releases
Working with VUE Support Services on resolution of technical issues
Monitoring the functionality of all hardware components


4. Upfront Costs
The Test Centre is responsible for all costs associated with both the fit out

and the procurement of necessary technical equipment.
The Test Centre will need to source the following:
• PCs
• Desks
• Server
• Chairs
• Partitions • Internet
The list below sets out each piece of equipment required and the indicative price.
Note: these prices are subject to change.

Number of Workstations
Equipment

7

6 Workstations
Qty
Unit
Total

8 Workstations
Qty
Unit
Total

10 Workstations
Qty
Unit
Total

EZ DOME Camera
EZ DOME Camera – Cable
EZ DOME Camera – power supply

6
6
6

$59
$32
$5

$354
$192
$30

8
8
8

$59
$32
$5

$472
$256
$40

10
10

10

$59
$32
$5

$590
$320
$50

DVR GX780 (imaged)

1

$669

$669

1

$669

$669

1

$669

$669

EZ-Watch cards
E-Pad VP9801
Palm-Vein cable
Palm-Vein hand guide
Palm-Vein sensor
Palm-Vein kit
Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000
Headset
Kit, AVS, DVR, microphone
Instruct/ Setup media
PTE-A Media Installer V7

1
1
1
1
1
1
2
7
1
1
1

$685
$115
$5
$17
$256
$23

$90
$89
$92
$3
$3

$685
$115
$5
$17
$256
$23
$180
$623
$92
$3
$3
$3,247

1
1
1
1
1
1
2
9
1
1
1

$1,325
$115
$5
$17
$256
$23
$90
$89
$92
$3
$3

$1,325
$115
$5
$17
$256
$23
$180
$801
$92
$3
$3
$4,257

1
1
1
1

1
1
2
11
1
1
1

$1,325
$115
$5
$17
$256
$23
$90
$89
$92
$3
$3

$1,325
$115
$5
$17
$256
$23
$180
$979
$92
$3

$3
$4,627


5. Time Frames
1week

2 weeks

Test Centre
Evaluation

Contracts

Please note:
These times frames are indicative only.
They do not take into account any undue delays
at the end of the test centre and assume that
the test centre has the ability to call on staffing
and other resources as required.

Statement
of Intent
2 weeks
Building Works

IT Hardware

IT Infrastructure

1week

1week

2 weeks

1week

Physical
Specifications
Assessment

Approval

Software Install

PreActivation
1week

1week
Media Install

Live
Testing

Training

Security Kit Install

Launch

Event

3 weeks

1week

3 months

8

Systems
Test