This month, the Class of 2024 received an update on Pearson’s Test of English or PTE, which was recently recognized by the Canadian government as a valid test of English proficiency when applying for a student visa (PIE News, 2023). The following governments recognize the PTE as a valid test of English proficiency when applying for a student visa; Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand governments.

Visiting students on campus during the Junior Seminar was Mr. Galib Hasnat, Pearson’s Regional Development Manager, joined by Ms. Premila Paulraj, the Director of Qualifications and Employability in the South Asian region. Both speak about the fully digital, AI and voice recognition technology used in Uttara’s new Pearson exam center.

Typically students at ISD have taken the ELTS computer-based or paper-based exams at either IDP or British Council testing centers in Dhaka. So students also heard tips for preparing for the IELTS from Mr. Mohammed Mehrab, who formerly worked for an IELTS testing center in Dhaka and now serves as the Head of Enrolment with LSE, UCB programme in Dhaka. Students were introduced to examples of IELTS testing in reading, writing, listening and speaking. In the spring of Grade 11, students are encouraged to determine which test they need to meet the university requirements in the countries they plan to apply to.

Students learned that while the IELTS is the most common test students take in Dhaka, the advantages of the PTE are a shorter test duration, just 2 hours, while the IELTS requires two testing times and takes nearly three hours to complete. The PTE on their updated website lists universities and the degree programs which accept the PTE, Pearson’s website: and can be found by Googleing Who accepts PTE tests.

Students are advised to check the university website for undergraduate admissions to determine requirements for English proficiency testing, GPA or subject requirements to the university and major or program they wish to apply to. Students can check if additional testing, such as the SAT/ACT or subject-specific tests, are required on specific university websites, such as those for law or medicine in the UK and Australia. There is quite a bit of research for students to do, so at ISD, we have created a schedule to give student time weekly in the Junior and Senior Seminar to develop a list of universities to apply to, register for required testing and work with college counselors to complete applications during the school day as well as time to meet with guest speakers such as our English testing visitors, as well as attend university visits hosted by reps, most recently on campus students heard from Australian universities from Bond, James Cook, California State University, San Bernardino, as well as Edinbrugh and Newcastle.

Additional questions about university requirements, English proficiency testing or summer school may direct questions to College Counselor: Ellen Johnston, ellen.johnston@isdbd.org or Tasnuva Ahmed, tasnuva.ahmed@isdbd.org.

Update on the Class of 2023 University Applications

256 applications from the class of 33 students sent an average of 8 applications per student this year showing that students at ISD are focusing on sending quality applications rather than focusing on the number of applications.

This class has applied to 7 countries,, and the outcomes as of 23 March.

Students in this class have received scholarships totaling over 600,000 USD from Australia, the UK, Switzerland, Canada and the US.

Students typically have until 1 May to deposit and declare at North American universities and mid-June in the UK, while programs in other countries await official IB results in July.

Ellen Johnston
College Counselor