What is the PTE exam?

Your goal decides the test. PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI have the same content, format and scoring; the UKVI version adds a reference number used for some UK visa applications (Pearson). PTE Core tests general English for Canadian immigration, so a Canadian university or college needs PTE Academic instead (Pearson). More in PTE Academic vs PTE Core.

PTE Academic is one sitting of about two hours in three parts, with 65–75 questions drawn from 22 question types. You take it on a computer at a test centre; there is no separate speaking interview, because you speak into a headset. Many questions score two skills at once. The full breakdown of every question type is in the PTE exam pattern, and what each one tests is in the PTE syllabus.

You get an overall score and a score for each of the four skills, each from 10 to 90. The overall score is based on your performance across the whole test and is not an average of the four skill scores. On Pearson's scale, 76–84 is C1 and 59–75 is B2. See the PTE score chart for every band and the IELTS comparison.

There is no pass mark (PTE pass mark). Universities and visa bodies publish their own minimums, sometimes with a minimum in each skill, so check the exact page for your course or visa.

Pearson sets one fee per country, and in every country we checked, PTE Academic, UKVI and Core cost the same. These figures come from our fee guides, each checked against Pearson's price finder on the date shown in the guide, so confirm yours before booking. PTE fee by country covers more countries.

Pearson says your Score Report typically arrives within two days. Some results take up to five business days, and sending your scores to institutions through myPTE is free (PTE results time).

A PTE score is valid for two years from the test date, though some bodies set their own limit. Australia's Home Affairs, for example, accepts scores up to three years old for most skilled visas (PTE score validity).

Pearson's booking rules ask for no degree, marks or nationality. You need a myPTE account whose details exactly match your ID, usually a passport, and under-18s need consent from a parent or guardian (PTE eligibility). You book online and can book PTE up to six months ahead.

Deciding between the two big tests? PTE vs IELTS compares them. To see where you stand before paying, try free PTE practice by question type or a free PTE mock test. Our scores are practice estimates, not Pearson results.