Which PTE Home level do I need?
Pearson's PTE Home overview maps each level to a UK route. The Home Office sets the CEFR level for each visa stage, so Pearson also advises confirming the level on GOV.UK before booking. Our UK family visa English guide covers the government side.
| Level | Approved for | Question types (Pearson) |
|---|---|---|
| PTE Home A1 | First-time Spouse or Partner and Parent of a child visas; Representative of an Overseas Business and Sportsperson visas | Repeat Sentence (22), Describe Image (5), Conversation: Listen and Answer (5) |
| PTE Home A2 | Spouse or Partner and Parent visa extensions (after 2.5 years) | Repeat Sentence (22 or 23), Describe Image (4 or 5), Conversation: Listen and Answer |
| PTE Home B1 | Settlement (indefinite leave to remain) and British citizenship | Repeat Sentence (17), Describe Image (4 or 5), Retell Story, Story: Listen and Answer (4 or 5) |
Format and scoring
Every level tests speaking and listening only, on a computer with a headset at a Pearson test centre. There is no reading or writing section and no human examiner; responses are scored by AI. The result is simply pass or fail at the target CEFR level (scoring).
Length: the PTE Home FAQ gives 22 to 29 minutes depending on level, and the level pages quote 30 minutes for A1, 25 for A2 and 22 for B1. In B1's Retell Story you hear a story and retell it in your own words in 30 seconds; in Story: Listen and Answer you answer three questions about a story. The test is only open to candidates over 18, and the ID is usually a passport.
Know your target? Check where you stand
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Take a free scored PTE mock →Results, sharing and validity
Pearson says results typically arrive within 48 hours; the PTE Home handbook says it aims to release them within five business days. You get an email, then view the Score Report in your myPTE account. It carries a SELT Unique Reference Number (URN). The result is shared with the Home Office automatically, and you enter the URN on your visa application so it can be verified. Printed reports are not verified.
A PTE Home result is valid for two years from the test date. If you fail, the handbook's retake rules let you book again once you have your result, up to 12 tests in a 12-month window.
Fee and where you can take it
Pearson's price finder showed the same fee for all three levels on 4 October 2026: ₹15,300 in India, £170 in the UK and CA$305 in Canada. Whether tax is included is not stated by Pearson on that page.
You can sit PTE Home at any Pearson centre that offers it, not only in your home country. The A1 page says it is available in more than 500 centres worldwide, while the FAQ says over 150 centres in more than 100 countries. Check the centre finder for your city before planning around a date.
Frequently asked questions
Is PTE Home pass or fail?+
Yes. All three levels give a pass or fail result rather than a score.
Does PTE Home include reading or writing?+
No. It tests speaking and listening only.
How long is a PTE Home result valid?+
Two years from the test date, per Pearson.
Which PTE Home test is for a spouse visa extension?+
PTE Home A2. A1 is for the first application and B1 for settlement or citizenship.
Can I take PTE Home outside the UK?+
Yes, at any Pearson test centre that offers PTE Home. In India the fee was ₹15,300 on 4 October 2026.
Keep reading
Related
- English for a UK family visa
- PTE vs IELTS for a UK visa
- PTE reschedule, cancel and refund rules
- All guides
- All 711 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 4 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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