Four skill scores
Listening, reading, writing and speaking on Pearson's 10–90 scale: the numbers Home Affairs reads, not just an overall.
Built for the August 2025 rules
Writing 85 and speaking 88 now decide Superior English. See where your mock lands against the new per-skill minimums.
PTE Academic, not Core
Home Affairs accepts PTE Academic taken at a test centre. The mock follows PTE Academic's three parts and timing.
What you practise
Speaking & Writing
Read aloud, repeat sentence, describe image, retell lecture, summarize written text, essay and the 2025 task types.
Reading
Reading & writing fill in the blanks, reorder paragraphs and multiple choice.
Listening
Summarize spoken text, highlight incorrect words, write from dictation and more.
What your mock scores mean for an Australian visa
Home Affairs sets a PTE Academic minimum for each skill, all from one test. Since 7 August 2025, writing and speaking need far more than listening and reading for the 10- and 20-point levels. Tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 keep the old single minimum (50, 65 or 79 in every skill) and can be used until 6 August 2028, depending on the visa.
| English level | Points | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Competent | 0 | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 |
| Proficient | 10 | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 |
| Superior | 20 | 69 | 70 | 85 | 88 |
Free mock vs Pearson's Scored Practice Test
Pearson sells its own Scored Practice Tests separately on pearsonpte.com; they use past test content and Pearson's scoring. A BandLadder mock is a practice estimate scored by BandLadder AI on Pearson's published traits, and it is free to start. Many candidates use free mocks to find the weak skill, then one official practice test before booking.
Read each skill score as a range of a few points, not an exact prediction. If writing or speaking is several points below the level you need, drill those task types first; a re-sit costs AUD 499.
Start practising free
Take a test, see your feedback, and decide from there.
Keep exploring
Frequently asked questions
Is PTE Core accepted for Australian visas?
No. Home Affairs accepts PTE Academic taken at a test centre. PTE Core is for Canadian immigration.
What PTE score is Superior English now?
Listening 69, reading 70, writing 85 and speaking 88 in one test taken from 7 August 2025. The old rule of 79 in every skill applies only to tests taken on or before 6 August 2025.
Is PTE 65 still Proficient English?
Not for a test taken from 7 August 2025: Proficient now needs 58/59/69/76, so 65 in every skill is Competent. Use the points calculator to check your own four scores.
How much does the PTE test cost in Australia?
AUD 499 for PTE Academic on Pearson's price finder in October 2026, the same as PTE Academic UKVI. The fee guide has the reschedule and refund rules.
Is the mock test free?
Yes. A free account gets 1 full mock plus 5 speaking and 2 writing AI evaluations a day, no card. More full mocks come with a plan, from 7 days, priced in your local currency.