With Pearson's experience in developing large-scale custom speaking tests, we bring a robust, field-ready test development process that will be used guide your project to successful completion. Test development time varies from 5-6 months to 2 years, based on your requirements and project resourcing. Each test has unique requirements, but most tests typically go through the following development phases:

• Assess needs, define requirements
• Agree on specification for final test deliverables
• Locate language or other expert resources to participate in project
• Develop test's item pool
• Install preliminary version of test on the Versant system
• Collect field data from native speakers and non-native speakers
• Conduct IRT analysis
• Prepare transcriptions
• Collect ratings from expert human evaluators
• Conduct field validation study
• Develop machine scoring
• Deploy final version of test on the Versant system
• Publish validation report and test documentation
• Put new test fully into production for customer

If your organization needs a custom speaking test, contact us to discuss your requirements and the options that the Knowledge Technologies group of Pearson may be able to provide for custom test services.