Eligibility rules at a glance
From Pearson's booking help, ID policy, PTE Core FAQ and PTE Home FAQ. None of the Pearson pages we read set an education, marks or upper age requirement.
| Rule | PTE Academic and UKVI | PTE Core | PTE Home A1, A2, B1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | Not stated on the Pearson pages we read | 16 or over | Over 18 only |
| Under 18 | Parent or guardian consent needed to book | Parent or guardian consent needed to book | Not available |
| Education or marks | None required | None required | None required |
| Main ID | Valid passport | Valid passport (or Canadian PR card, in Canada only) | Valid passport (or UK eVisa, in the UK only) |
| Where | PTE test centre | PTE test centre only | PTE test centre |
Under 18: parental consent
If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must give consent before you can book; Pearson explains how during booking (Pearson). The Test Taker Handbook calls this a Parental Consent Form and says that, once approved, it covers all your tests until you turn 18.
If you use a child passport that is still valid, the photo must match how you look now. Pearson will refuse entry if it does not.
Know your target? Check where you stand
Take a free AI-scored PTE mock and see your score per skill before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free scored PTE mock →Practise before you book: free PTE mock test, PTE predictions, PTE Core practice test and PTE to IELTS converter.
ID and account rules
Your myPTE name, date of birth, citizenship and gender must exactly match your ID. The ID must be the original physical document (no copies or digital versions), valid, issued no more than 10 years ago and in Roman characters. If you test outside your country of citizenship, only a passport is accepted for PTE Academic; within your own country an alternative ID may be allowed if it is on Pearson's exceptions list (ID policy). Without acceptable ID you cannot sit the test and you lose the fee.
Full detail, including the UK SELT and PTE Core document lists, is in PTE ID requirements. Booking steps are in how to book PTE.
Which PTE test should you take?
Eligibility is less about you than about the test your goal needs. Pearson's guidance (PTE Academic FAQ, PTE Core FAQ):
| Your goal | Test |
|---|---|
| University or college study anywhere, including Canada and UK degree-level study | PTE Academic |
| Australian or New Zealand visa and migration applications | PTE Academic |
| Professional registration | PTE Academic |
| Canadian permanent residency or citizenship | PTE Core |
| UK work visas, UK study below degree level or at a non-university provider | PTE Academic UKVI |
| UK family visas, extensions, settlement or citizenship | PTE Home A1, A2 or B1 |
Retakes and score needs
There is no pass mark to qualify for. Each university or visa sets its own minimum (PTE pass mark). If you miss your target, Pearson lets you book again once you have your last score, even within the same month (Pearson); the limits are in how many times you can take PTE.
Pearson updates its test and policies from time to time. Check the linked Pearson page before you book. This guide is general information, not official PTE advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a degree or 12th-class marks to take PTE?+
No. Pearson's booking rules ask for no qualification or marks. The university or visa you apply to may have its own academic rules.
What is the minimum age for PTE?+
Pearson states 16 for PTE Core. PTE Home is only for over-18s. We found no stated minimum for PTE Academic; under-18s need parent or guardian consent to book.
Is there an upper age limit for PTE?+
None is stated on the Pearson pages we read.
Can I take PTE without a passport?+
For PTE Academic outside your country of citizenship, no. In your own country, another ID may be accepted if it is on Pearson's country exceptions list.
Can a 17-year-old take PTE Academic?+
Yes, with consent from a parent or guardian, given during booking. Pearson's handbook says an approved consent form covers all tests until you turn 18.
Keep reading
Related
- PTE ID requirements
- PTE Academic vs PTE Core
- PTE Academic UKVI
- PTE Home A1, A2 and B1
- How to book PTE
- Free PTE mock test
- All 1288 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 13 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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