Frequently Asked questions about PTE Academic
PTE is the abbreviation for Pearson Test of English.
You need PTE Academic to prove your English skills in order to be accepted to an international university. The only difference between PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI is in the registration process. PTE UKVI is designed for studying in the United Kingdom. You will need to take PTE Home if you want to apply for a family or settlement visa in the UK. PTE Academic is score-based, while PTE Home is a pass-fail test.
- You can schedule a test any day you want, with as little as 24 hours in advance.
- Complete the test in a single session, total of 2 hours
- Testing takes place entirely on the computer, no speaking to an examiner
- Fair, unbiased scoring of your test by AI.
- Results are typically available within 2 days.
- Results can be submitted to as many universities as you want, for free.
The cost of a PTE test varies between regions and the type of test you plan to take. Click here to see PTE test fees in your country.
Depending on the test location tests are paid for in local currency or US dollars using a Visa or MasterCard debit card or a Mastercard, Visa, American Express or JCB credit card. Other forms of payment are not accepted.
Depending on the test location tests are paid for in local currency or US dollars using a Visa or MasterCard debit card or a Mastercard, Visa, American Express or JCB credit card. Other forms of payment are not accepted.
PTE Academic contains between 52 and 64 items that need to be answered, and there are 20 different types of assignments. The test is split into 3 sections:
- Speaking & Writing - 54 to 67 minutes to complete
- Reading - 29 to 30 minutes to complete
- Listening - 30 to 43 minutes to complete
PTE Academic test scores are valid for 2 years. You will have to retake the test after this time expires.
PTE Academic Online is available, is the same test and can be taken from home. But keep in mind that not all universities that accept PTE Academic also accept the online version so always check before booking. Learn more about PTE Academic Online.
PTE Academic is accepted by thousands of universities across the world. Here is a list of universities that accept PTE Academic scores.
There are over 380 test centres in the world where you can take PTE Academic. Find a test centre.
A score that meets your university’s entry requirement is a good score, so make sure you please check your university’s requirement before applying.
As a rule a PTE score of 59 or higher will get you admitted to most Bachelors or Masters programmes abroad; some universities may require a higher score however, while many others may accept lower scores.
PTE grades are calculated on a scale of 10 to 90. All tests are graded by an automated scoring system trained to mimic how humans mark would score based on many responses. Correct answers are given 1 point, partial answers between 0 and 1 point, and incorrect answers 0 points.
There are several effective ways to prepare for PTE Academic:
- Test preparation packages from Pearson including practice tests and ebook
- Free online courses
- The Pearson Practice App
- Official coursebooks
- Join a tutored course
Find out more about how to prepare for PTE Academic.
Absolutely! You can explore a sample of the PTE Academic English exam through our teaser test. It offers curated listening and reading questions that resemble the actual exam format. Experience the test firsthand, evaluate your abilities, and gain valuable insights.
