PTE Core

PTE Core is a computer-based English test that assesses your general speaking, writing, reading and listening skills in a single test. You take the test in a small, friendly test center environment in just two hours

Choose PTE Core if you are applying for permanent residency in Canada. You can also choose PTE Core if you are applying for Canadian citizenship.

No human examiners

Each test is fully computer-based and taken in one of our global test centers. That means you don’t have to face a human examiner.

Just one test

Computer-based testing means you only need to attend a single two-hour test, instead of two separate sessions, to get the score you need.

Faster

Automated scoring means it’s quicker to book, quicker to get your scores, and easier to share your scores – for free – with as many institutions as you choose.

The PTE Core test has a score range of between 10 and 90, with 90 being the maximum score. Test Takers will receive a personalized Score Report that shows the overall test score plus the score breakdown for each of the four English skills (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking).

The score you will need for your visa will depend on the type of visa you apply for; you can find this score requirement on the Canadian Government website. Your application may require a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score.

PTE Academic Score: 43–58 / CEFR Equivalent: B1

Required for: Typically, this may be required for undergraduate level study.

PTE Academic Score: 76–84 CEFR Equivalent: C1

Required for: Australian Skilled Migration Visas

This is a very high level of English proficiency. This level of English is generally not required for undergraduate courses.

This part of the test is approximately 50 minutes long and contains seven different question types. It is the longest section of the test. You will be tested on your speaking and writing skills, using English you might hear in an everyday environment.

1. Personal Introduction

2. Read Aloud

3. Repeat Sentence

4. Describe Image

5. Respond to a Situation

6. Answer Short Question

7. Summarize Written Text

8. Write Email

Part 2: Reading

This part of the test is approximately 30 minutes long and contains five different question types. Because PTE Core is an integrated skills test, one question type (‘Reading and Writing: Fill in the blanks’) also assesses writing skills.

1. Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks

2. Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers

3. Reorder Paragraph

4. Fill in the Blanks

5. Multiple Choice, Single Answer

Part 3: Listening

1. Summarize Spoken Text

2. Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers

3. Fill in the Blanks

4. Multiple Choice, Single Answer

5. Select Missing Word

6. Highlight Incorrect Words

7. Write from Dictation