Everything You Need to Know About PTE
If you are a non-native speaker of English & planning to migrate to an English-speaking country for higher studies or a job, then you will be asked to provide proof of proficiency in the language. There are several long-standing English language proficiency tests but the one test that has rapidly gained acceptance from authorities and popularity among test-takers is the Pearson Test of English or PTE, administered globally by the Pearson PLC Group.
Pearson offers several versions of the PTE.
- The PTE Academic provides a practical measure of the test-taker’s comfort level in English as used in educational institutions and daily lives. The test covers academic language and accents while focusing on the language competencies - listening, speaking, reading and writing.
- PTE Academic UKVI is appropriate if you plan to study a below-degree level program in the UK or pursue a degree program at a UK institution other than a recognized HEI. The UK Home Office accepts the test score for Skilled worker visas (erstwhile Tier 2 General work visas), Start-up visas, Innovator visas, or Minister of religion visas.
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Join a trusted PTE training program to get the confidence to ace these tests.
The PTE Home (A1, A2, and B1) tests are apt for people looking to settle in the UK. Make your visa application fail-proof by joining proven PTE classes for test prep.
- Take the PTE Home A1 test if you are applying for a Spouse visa or Parent-of-a-Dependent visa in the UK Family visa category, or a Representative of an Overseas Business visa, or a Tier 2 Sportsperson visa.
- If you are applying for a visa extension after staying in the UK for 2.5 years, you need to showcase a higher level of English proficiency, and PTE Home A2 suits the purpose perfectly.
- Finally, if you need proof of English proficiency for your Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) or Citizenship application in the UK, PTE Home B1 is the test for you.
Learn more about all these tests with UniApplica PTE Coaching today!
The PTE tests follow the proprietary Global Scale of English (GSE) that provides detailed insights into the command that candidates hold in each specific language skill on an elaborate scale of 10 – 90. Individual grades precisely describe what the candidates can do at each proficiency level. A timely PTE training can help you achieve high scores on the first go!
A little over a decade old, PTE has helped tens of thousands of people gain admission, secure jobs or migrate to countries like Australia, the UK, the USA, Germany, New Zealand, and Canada. The visa authorities of Australia, New Zealand, and Canada have given credence to the test for permanent residences in the respective countries.
Join UniApplica PTE Classes now to get cracking with your personal and professional goals!
Why is PTE Gaining the Favor of International Students?
PTE-Academic is slowly yet steadily gaining high ground amongst study-abroad aspirants owing to its wide acceptance from higher education institutions. Unlike some of the more popular language proficiency tests, you can book a PTE-Academic even at the last moment, which is a huge advantage for students. The PTE scores are made available within 2 – 5 working days. Further, the test eliminates the possibility of human bias by deploying AI for evaluation against the GSE. Split into three sections, PTE-Academic and PTE-Academic UKVI assess the language skills of candidates in an integrated fashion. Scoring is AI-driven, and there is no human intervention during the test. Test-takers of modern times are increasingly digitally savvy, making the fully computerized PTE tests a convenient choice. Finally, you can send your Score Report to an unlimited number of institutions, unlike other popular tests that charge additional fees to share scores with institutions more than the standard number of institutions allowed for free.
Set the ball rolling towards your study abroad dreams with professional PTE training!
Understanding the PTE Structure
Take the PTE-Academic in a convenient test centre. The test is also available online for remote access. However, most institutions do not accept scores from a remotely taken online PTE-Academic. PTE-Academic UKVI is administered in fewer test centres compared to the PTE-Academic.
The 2-hour test has three parts, with 20 differently graded question types. Answers to MCQs bear negative marks for every wrong answer while scores of long answer-type questions depend on criteria like content, form, vocabulary, grammar, linguistic range, coherence and so on. Wherever you need to speak into the mic and record your answer, you can do so only once.
Structurally or content-wise, there is no difference between the PTE-Academic and PTE-Academic UKVI.
Here’s a review of the different question types in the individual sections of both tests. With proper PTE Coaching, clearing the test will be no big deal for you!
Timed at 54–67 minutes, you will hear and read English as used in academic environments. There are 8 tasks, of which the first is not graded.
- Introduce yourself. This round is only to familiarize you with the testing system.
- Read aloud a short on-screen text.
- Listen to the audio and repeat verbatim.
- Describe an on-screen image.
- Listen and retell a lecture.
- Answer an audio question in a few words
- Read a passage to write a one-line summary.
- Write a 200-300 word essay on a given topic.
The 29–30-minute test poses five questions to test your comfort level in reading and comprehending academic English. The tasks include
- Fill in the gaps with given choices.
- Read an on-screen passage to answer an MCQ with multiple responses.
- Rearrange jumbled-up text in a coherent order.
- Read an on-screen text to answer an MCQ with a single response.
This listening test is 30 – 43 minutes long and poses eight audio/ video questions to measure your listening skills. Each clip plays only once, but you are allowed to take notes. The tasks are
- Listen to the audio to write a summary.
- Listen to an audio clip to answer an MCQ with multiple responses.
- Fill in the gaps of an audio clip transcript.
- Listen to an audio and choose the correct summary.
- Listen to an audio and select the missing word from a list of options.
- Highlight the incorrect words in an audio transcript.
- Listen to a short audio and type it verbatim.
With guided PTE Training by experienced mentors, you can scale the tests with flying colours.
The PTE Home tests are computer-delivered at designated test centres. The testing purpose, format and proficiency levels sought through the tests are tabulated here.
PTE Home A1 | English speaking and listening skills at CEFR Level A1 |
| 22 minutes | Read and listen to 32 questions and provide spoken answers.
There are 3 question types:
|
Pass or Fail |
PTE Home A2 | English Communication Skills at CEFR level A2 | Visa Extension after 2.5 years in the UK for
| 25 minutes | Read and listen to 30-33 Questions and speak your answers into the mic. There are 3 question types:
| |
PTE Home B1 | English language proficiency at CEFR level B1 |
| 22 minutes | Read and listen to 32 questions and provide spoken answers. There are 4 question types:
|
How Widely is PTE Accepted
Within a short time, PTE-Academic has found recognition from 3,300+ institutions globally. Institutions like Oxford University, Harvard Business School, and Yale also accept students based on their PTE-Academic scores. The UK, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand governments recognize the test for their visa purposes. As for the PTE-Academic UKVI, the scores are widely accepted for both study and work purposes in the UK. The PTE Home tests too, are aligned with the UK Home Office requirement for work and settlement visas.
Each institution has its benchmark PTE scores for admission. However, on average, a PTE-Academic score of 36 – 50 is acceptable for admission into Foundation courses, 51 – 60 for undergraduate admissions and 57 – 67 for postgraduate programs. With scores of years of mentoring experience in our kitty, we can assure you that UniApplica PTE Coaching can train you to achieve your targeted score.
The average PTE Academic score required by admission officials in different countries are:
Country | Average PTE Academic Score Accepted |
Canada | 65 (sectional scores 60) |
UK | 64 (sectional scores 59) |
Ireland | 63 (sectional scores 59) |
USA | 59+ |
New Zealand | 58+ |
Germany | 55 – 75 |
France | 50+ (sectional scores 45) |
Australia | 42 |
The minimum PTE scores required for UK visa is tabulated here.
Visa Purpose | Visa Type | Minimum CEFR level | PTE Score Equivalent | Skills Assessed | Appropriate PTE Test |
Start-up visa | Work | B2 | 59+ in each of the four sections of the test | Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening | PTE Academic UKVI |
Innovator visa | |||||
Tier 2 Minister of Religion visa | |||||
Student visa – degree level and above | Study | B2 (Some universities will require a higher grade) | PTE Academic; PTE Academic UKVI** (dependent on institution visa approval status) | ||
Skilled Worker visa | Work | B1 | 43+ in each of the four sections of the test | PTE Academic UKVI | |
Student visa – below degree level e.g. pre-sessional courses | Study | B1 | PTE Academic UKVI | ||
Spouse/partner; Fiance, fiancee or proposed civil partner; Parent of a dependent | Family | A1 | Pass | Speaking and Listening | PTE Home A1 |
Visa Extension: Spouse/partner; Parent of a dependent | Family | A2 | Pass | PTE Home A2 | |
Representative of an Overseas Business | Work | A1 | Pass | PTE Home A1 | |
Tier 2 Sportsperson visa | PTE Home A1 | ||||
Settlement (indefinite leave to remain); Citizenship | Settlement | B1 | PTE Home B1 |
Sign up for PTE training to clear any of the above tests for study, work or settling in the UK with confidence.
Preparing with A Trusted PTE Coaching
Preparation for PTE depends on the candidate’s current comfort level in the language. For a non-native novice user of the English language, 1-2 years of sustained PTE Training is essential to acquire the nuances of the language, build a respectable vocabulary and hone the skills required to communicate effectively. But, if you are a seasoned English language user, you would need only 4 – 6 weeks of PTE Classes to acclimatize to the testing pattern and answer within the scheduled time.
Loads of self-help material may be available in the market, including practice tests by Pearson PLC. However, the personalized guidance by PTE Coaching mentors can make all the difference by giving you the right push at the right time. The UniApplica PTE classes help test takers with not only the test pattern and practice tests but also with timely review of mock test performance along with important tips and tricks to tackle different question types.
PTE Registration Charges
The registration fees for the PTE tests are tabulated here. Please note that all fees are inclusive of taxes of the respective countries.
Tests | UK (Great Britain Pound) | UAE (United Arab Emirates Dirham) |
PTE Academic | 190 GBP | 1200 AED |
PTE Academic UKVI | 190 GBP | 1200 AED |
PTE Home A1 | 160 GBP | 1000 AED |
PTE Home A2 | 160 GBP | 1000 AED |
PTE Home B1 | 160 GBP | 1000 AED |
With over 400 test centres in 117 countries, PTE-Academic is held as frequently as six days a week with last-minute availability. Currently there are 29 test centres in the UK, while UAE has 3.
PTE Registration Process
You can book a PTE-Academic and PTE-Academic UKVI online through the official website of Pearson PTE in the following steps:
- Select your location to find the nearest test centres and available test schedules.
- Select a convenient appointment.
- Create your profile on the site. Remember to use a valid email ID.
- A summary of your appointment details appears on your myPTE dashboard
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the registration and payment processes.
- You will receive a confirmation email after successfully booking the test.
For the PTE Home tests, visit Pearson PTE to check test availability:
- Select your PTE Home test type.
- Confirm the chosen test centre, date and time.
- Proceed with profile creation and payment process as directed on the site.
PTE-Academic Results Timeline
Compared to all other language tests, Pearson releases the PTE-Academic test results in the shortest time. You can access your results within 48 hours from the test date to 5 working days at the max.
Decoding PTE-Academic Scores
PTE Academic is graded from 10 – 90 on the Global Scale of English, providing an accurate description of the language abilities of test-takers at each band level. Your scorecard will have your overall grade and individual communicative skills score for Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing.
PTE Academic Score Band | Required for | Abilities |
85–90 | Generally, higher education institutions or government agencies do not ask for this high a score | Easily understands practically everything read or heard. Summarizes information collected from different spoken/ written sources and reconstructs arguments to present cohesively. Spontaneous, precise and fluent expression of ideas using fine linguistic nuances even in complex situations. |
76–84 | Not required for UG courses | Understands a wide range of demanding long texts and recognizes implicit meaning. Fluent and spontaneous expression of ideas without any obvious fumbling. Flexible and effective use of language in social, academic and professional environments. Formulates well-structured, clear and detailed text on complex subjects, demonstrating controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. |
59–75 | UG/ PG entry requirements, professional registration and employment, and Australian skilled migration visas. | Besides technical discussions in their field of specialization, can understand the central idea of complex text on varied topics. Oral expression is fluent and spontaneous to a great extent, making regular interaction with native speakers convenient. Produces clear, detailed text on various subjects to elaborate a viewpoint or explain the advantages and disadvantages of different options. |
43–58 | UG admission | Understand the broad-based information on familiar matters encountered in daily life and work. Able to deal with most situations using the language that may arise in day-to-day life. Produces simple connected text on familiar subjects or topics of interest. Describe events and experiences, hopes and ambitions, reason elaborately, and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. |
30–42 | Foundation Courses | Understand sentences and oft-used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance Capable of simple and routine communication involving a direct exchange of information on familiar subjects. Describe personal details and circumstances |
10–29 | not accepted even for Foundation Courses | Understands and uses common expressions and basic phrases. Can carry on a simple personal introductory conversation Interacts in a simple manner provided the other person in the conversation speaks slowly and clearly and volunteers to help.. |
UniApplica Benefit to Scale the Heights of PTE-Academic
As a more practical testing system, preparation for PTE-Academic needs customized handholding by expert mentors if you aim to get your target score on the first attempt. Here are a few advantages you get as a student at UniApplica PTE Coaching division.
- PTE classes at UniApplica will give you the much-needed direction to your test preparation besides expert guidance to acquire the necessary skills much faster.
- At UniApplica PTE Coaching, we provide one-to-one mentoring to each student, identifying their strengths and weaknesses and guiding them accordingly.
- The PTE Coaching at UniApplica starts with a clear explanation of the exam pattern and scoring system because we realize that understanding the test details halves your test prep anxieties.
- At UniApplica, you have access to exclusive PTE training material developed after in-depth research by our linguistic experts, keeping in mind the test pattern and the learning objectives of GSE.
- Trained trainers at UniApplica PTE classes assess your English language skills. They guide you to achieve not only your target score but also to make you more comfortable in using the language.
- PTE training at UniApplica involves solving the practice tests regularly to hone your language skills. You will receive constant feedback from the mentors regarding areas that need improvement.
- Our PTE coaching mentors will also teach you time management strategies to complete the test on schedule, besides sharing tips and tricks to best tackle all question types.
- UniApplica PTE classes give you a platform to practice simulated mock tests similar to the ones you are likely to face in the actual tests.
- With focused and planned mentoring, your test prep with UniApplica PTE Coaching will be faster, smoother and much stronger than self-prep.
FAQs
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Assessment of PTE-Academic is through an automated machine scoring system that uses advanced algorithms based on a huge data sample. These complex algorithms replicate how an expert examiner would grade the test on a global scale while minimizing error incidences. Grades are assigned on Pearson’s evolutionary measure of language skills – the Global Scale of English. Speak to the PTE class experts at UniApplica to understand the PTE grading system better.
PTE Academic is accepted in most of the popular global study-abroad destinations like Australia, New Zealand, the USA, the UK, India, Canada, Germany, France, etc. Sign up for the UniApplica PTE Coaching today and push open the doors of any of these countries for higher studies or career opportunities.
PTE Academic has rapidly gained recognition among higher education institutions, government agencies, professional bodies and employers globally as a reliable assessment of academic English proficiency. The test at present is accepted in 3,300 institutions in 70+ countries in the world. With appropriate PTE Coaching, you can gain access to any of these global institutions.
A passport is the standard identification document across locations for the PTE-Academic exam. If you do not have a passport and are taking the test from the country of your citizenship, then a valid, non-digital national identification card, government-issued driver’s license, or military identification card can suffice. However, if you are taking the PTE outside your country of citizenship, the passport is the only document that you need for the test.
For the PTE Academic UKVI and PTE Home tests, the following documents can serve as your ID proof
- Passport
- Government-issued documents like:
- EU ID card or National ID Card (acceptable only in the issuing country)
- Biometric Residence Card or Permit
- Valid travel documents, except Emergency Travel Documents
Experienced professionals of UniApplica PTE Classes can guide you regarding booking a test.
Pearson does not specify any eligibility criteria for candidates who want to take the PTE. However, candidates aged between 16 to 18 years should carry a consent letter from their parents or legal guardians to appear for the test.
You can access your PTE results online through the registered myPTE account after 2 – 5 days of your test date. Since the PTE score report is digital, you can simply take a printout for your records. As for sharing your score with the institutions of your choice, you can do so with as many institutions as you want through the myPTE account.
The PTE tests are machine-scored, and hence it is not likely that your scores will change upon rechecking. However, you can request a review of only the spoken and open-ended questions. Please note that
- There will be no human intervention for the PTE test review.
- For every PTE test, you can request a machine rescore only once and only for the most recent test.
- Further, if you have already scheduled another test, a machine rescore request will not be accepted.
- You can request a rescore within 14 calendar days of the score being made available to you.
To place a PTE Test rescore request, call the Customer Support team. You’ll have to pay a rescoring fee. If your test scores changes after the review, you will get a refund of the rescoring fee. You’ll also get a new score report to reflect the changed score.
Pearson does not have any provision for modular retakes of PTE tests. If you are unhappy with your performance on the test, you can retake the test as many times you want. However, you must wait for the most recent test scores before you book another. The UniApplica PTE training can help with your test prep such that a situation wherein you feel dissatisfied with your test performance doesn’t arise.
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