Press Release

Middle East professional exam owners face role-relevance challenge, new study reveals


Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 16, 2016 – Owners of professional exams in the Middle East are concerned about maintaining the relevance of assessment content to constantly evolving modern workplaces, according to a new study.

The report – based upon the experiences of 50 senior executives at test-owning organizations across the Middle East who have assessed professional learners and university entrance candidates – reveals that constant advances in technology along with ever-increasing competition drive the need to adapt exam content to maintain its role-relevance and value.

Seven in ten (68 percent) respondents stated that developing new content or maintaining the relevance of assessments is a key challenge, and more than a fifth (22 percent) reported that exam candidates were unprepared for employment upon completing their certification exam.

Matthew Poyiadgi, vice president of Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Pearson VUE, said: “Understanding the 21st century assessment challenges facing professional test owners – and considering how these are being addressed – is important as they embrace technology in the workplace, adopting computer-based testing to stay leading edge in their sectors. This study identifies these key challenges and concerns, along with potential solutions.”

The study was commissioned by Pearson VUE with fieldwork carried out by IMRB International.

Pearson VUE is hosting an exclusive workshop event to reveal the results of this research report and discuss the key findings, on 24 November 2016 at Sofitel Dubai Downtown hotel.

  • If you would like to register to attend the workshop, Improving exam standards in the region: Challenges facing test owners, please visit the bit.ly/2e3izzP website.

Media contact

Damien Fletcher
+44 (0)20 7010 2582
damien.fletcher@pearson.com