Pearson Launches English Express Test

A few months ago Pearson announced an English Express Test, which I see as a response to DET (I've written on that more here). It's a "modern" exam:

• computer-based
• 1 hr long
• scores are available immediately after the test
• certified reports are generated in 48 hours

It's priced at $70, which is conveniently exactly what Duolingo is priced. While I expect to see other companies launching these types of tests, as they cater to a modern user base that expects it, Duolingo's most recent earnings guidance is a bit of a red flag. Growth from the DET is primarily from raising prices, with some institutions removing the test due to accuracy concerns.

I see on the Pearson site there's fewer than 10 institutions that currently accept it. At some point there's diminishing returns on test timing, but if 60 minutes is starting to push the boundaries on what it means to get an accurate result (I personally believe this to be true), then we should see declining adoption from DET and slow pick up on Pearson's version.