PTE Academic Exam: Everything You Need to Know
PTE Academic (full form: Pearson Test of English-Academic or PTE-A) is an English test for non-native speakers seeking a study or work visa and permanent residency in other countries. Some include Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, etc.
Its popularity is growing since it offers an easier way to perform the test and faster and more reliable results.
If you’re curious about this exam, let’s follow along with this complete guide by LUME Test for more details!
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The PTE Academic test is a computer-based examination that evaluates the candidates’ English proficiency by four skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
The test is around 2 hours long, and applicants can choose a suitable, friendly test center to take it. As it’s held frequently, you can easily find an available date for the exam, and the result is also delivered quickly.
PTE Academic is a global certificate accepted by more than 3,500 universities worldwide. It’s especially helpful for applicants who want to work or migrate to Australia and New Zealand.
The test is designed for non-native English speakers to qualify for their proficiency. Pearson generates various PTE modules suitable for different purposes, like Academic, PTE Core, and Academic UKVI. No age limit is required.
The Academic type is useful when applying for a work or migration visa in other countries, like New Zealand and Australia. You can also take it if you’re going to study abroad and need an authentic certificate to prove your English proficiency.
Meanwhile, PTE Core is required for permanent residency in Canada or Canadian citizenship.
On the other hand, PTE Academic UKVI and PTE Home A1, A2 & B1 are designed for studying, working, and settling in the UK.
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PTE helps you make your dream of studying and working in Australia come true. As for learning, the certificate is accepted by all Australian universities. Some world-famous ones include The University of Sydney, The University of Sydney, and The University of Melbourne.
High living standards and great job opportunities in Australia attract more international workers. Many professional associations accept the PTE test as proof of your English proficiency for visa application.
Some examples are the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
PTE Academic opens a gateway to studying in New Zealand. All universities, including the University of Otago and the University of Auckland, and all polytechnics, technology, and training institutes accept it.
If you need a visa to work and live in New Zealand, PTE can help because many professional bodies recognize it. Some are the Teaching Council of Aotearoa, New Zealand, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board.
PTE tests are recognized by almost 100% of UK universities, as well as all visa and immigration applications. Different PTE types are designed for your purpose of going to the country.
If you want to study in a degree-level program or above, you can take PTE Academic. Meanwhile, PTE Academic UKVI is for studying below degree level or on a UK work visa.
PTE Home is designed for UK visas requiring a two-skill Secure English Language Test.
The test is also popular among those who want to live and study in Canada. It is accepted by 96% of Canadian Designated Learning Institutes. All study routes, including the SDS (Student Direct Stream), require a PTE score.
PTE Academic is for you if you want to study at the University of British Columbia, the University of Toronto, McGill University, or other Canadian universities.
As for immigration and citizenship, the Canadian Government (IRCC) accepts PTE Core for all economic visa categories.
The test can help you apply to universities such as Harvard, Yale, NYU, Columbia, and more.
If you want to work in the US, PTE can help you succeed. It’s recognized by professional organizations and associations across the US, including numerous nursing boards for registration.
The certificate is widely accepted in more than 70 countries, opening the door to studying abroad. With PTE Academic, you can study English programs in different parts of the world.
For example, Europe, Africa, the Americas, East and Central Asia, South and South East Asia, and the Middle East.
The PTE exam is around 2 hours. You’ll do it on the computer to complete the four-skill testing. A headset will be provided to listen to and deliver your response.
Below is the time duration for each section in PTE Academic:
PTE uses AI to score applicants’ performance. This ensures the system will give points quickly, fairly, and accurately based on sophisticated algorithms.
Automated scoring is a global marking system based on the marks of professional examiners. It guarantees rapid and reliable results.
In 2020, this system processed data from nearly 700,000 examiner responses. This number increases yearly to create a more reliable automated scoring system.
Your answers are evaluated against the previous replies and the collective performance of examiners to ensure the most accurate and consistent score.
Scores are evaluated based on the complexity of each question type. The test’s overall score ranges from 10 to 90.
The important factors in determining a band score include vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, fluency, comprehension, and retention skills.
However, PTE Home only evaluates listening and speaking abilities. The result is PASS or FAIL.
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To achieve the best result in the PTE exam, you need to get yourself ready. Here’s a guide on your preparation at home.
Before starting your PTE preparation, it’s better to self-evaluate your current English level to develop a clear plan.
You can do an online practice test to see how many scores you get for each skill. Thus, you’ll understand the strong and weak points required to improve.
Choose a time of the day when you’re free, and nobody will bother you with your studying. At least 1-2 hours per day is the ideal amount of time.
Attribute the time for each activity. For example, you can start by reading English sources such as books, newspapers, and magazines. And then answer some questions.
You can also try to write a summary. It will help you practice your writing as well.
Find a partner to practice with. If speaking is impossible, talk in front of the mirror to boost your fluency and confidence.
Lastly, you can improve your listening by playing your favorite audio, podcast, or television with turned-on subtitles. Stop when encountering a word you don’t know or feel interested in, and write it down for future practice.
Consistency is the key to seeing improvement. Try not to skip any practicing day, and your skills will gradually improve. After some time, you’ll be surprised by what you can do.
Inconsistency can lower your motivation, making it hard to start again. So, keep yourself at a continuous pace.
There are thousands of PTE full-form mock tests available on the Internet. Practicing with them can help you get used to the test’s structure and get an overview of your improvement.
Preparing before the PTE exam is necessary. However, it can be a reverse effect if you keep studying without rest.
Remember to take a break every 2 hours of practicing per day. It will help you refresh your brain and refill your energy.
Many PTE candidates struggle to get a point in the reading and writing sections. Most of the time, test-takers are asked to answer a question based on collocations, which are a wide approach and take time to study.
Collocations are mostly found in the Fill in the Blanks (Reading & Writing) question type. The points in this section can also affect the Writing score as this integrated section requires reading and writing skills (each accounts for half of the points).
Additionally, you need a combination of reading and writing skills to nail the Summarize Written Text question type in the Writing part.
Therefore, if you make a mistake in grammar or summarize the text in more than one sentence, you’ll miss your point in both the Reading and Writing sections.
On the other hand, the Speaking section tends to be the most challenging for those who are not confident in their spoken English. The limited time frame makes it difficult for candidates to generate a fluent and coherent response.
In short, identifying the hardest part of PTE depends on the test-takers’ strong and weak points. The more familiar you are with one section, the easier it will be for you and the better you’ll perform.
Booking the PTE test online is the most popular and convenient way. Here’s how you can do it:
Another way to book the PTE test is by calling the test center where you intend to have the exam. Talk to the service staff and get your booking done.
The PTE test costs around $200-300, depending on many factors such as countries, exchange rates, and the type of test. For example, some countries apply a low tax rate of 5% for the test, while some can take up to 24%.
The price also varies by test type. PTE Academic, PTE Academic Online, PTE Core, and PTE Academic UKVI are around $40-$80 more expensive than PTE Home A1/A1/B1.
Visit the Pearson official website to check the fees in different countries. Remember to pay in the currency of the country where you intend to take the test.
If you want to change the schedule you’ve booked, you may need to pay an additional fee. A late fee is required if you book the exam within 48 hours before it starts.
Compared to TOEFL or IELTS, Pearson PTE is a much newer test launched in 2009. It’s becoming popular due to the candidates’ growing demand. Here’s how it’s different from other tests:
| PTE Academic | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | |
| Structure of the test | 3 parts:
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4 parts:
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4 sections:
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| Test length | 2 hours | 2 hours | 3 hours |
| Grade system | 10-90 (Global Scale of English) | 0-9 | 0-120 |
| The minimum required grade for most universities | 55-60 | 6.0 or 6.5 | 70-80 |
| Waiting time for the result | Within 2 business days | After 13 days | Around 2 weeks |
| Validation | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Price | $200 – $300 (depending on the location) | $280 – $340 (depending on the location) | $160 – $300 (depending on the location) |
| Where are they accepted? | Worldwide. Especially popular in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK. | Worldwide. Widely accepted in the UK, Australia, South Africa, and Ireland. | Worldwide. Most popular in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, and France. |
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Pearson allows you to take the test again as many times as you want until you reach your desired score. However, waiting for your latest test result is compulsory before applying for another one.
You can book your testing time 6 months in advance. Only one test is allowed per time; you can not make multiple bookings.
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Your score report will often be delivered within 2 working days. It can occasionally be earlier and rarely be delayed. This quick result is making the PTE test popular.
Pearson PTE is not only an English proficiency test but also brings your dream of living abroad closer.
Various government bodies recognize it for studying, working, and migrating purposes in Australia, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and other countries.
Many prestigious universities, such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, require PTE from their applicants. The number of schools and organizations in different countries accepting the test is also growing.
The test lasts only 2 hours, and four skills are evaluated on the same day. It’s more convenient than the IELTS, in which candidates need to take the speaking test separately.
Plus, some experiences said they feel less nervous while doing the speaking section on computers.
The exam takes place regularly with easy booking for your suitable dates and times. You can even register for the test only 24 hours in advance. PTE makes it easier for candidates, especially those with tight application deadlines.
The exam is available in over 70 countries at over 400 centers. All centers are qualified, standard, and friendly, guaranteeing no technical issues during the test sessions.
The result only takes 2 days, making PTE a top choice for applicants. The quick registration process, test sessions, and scorecard delivery allow candidates to promptly add the score to their document and apply to the desired destination.
Since the test uses AI to score, it can eliminate errors and unbiased issues. The automated scoring algorithms ensure a fair evaluation of the examiner’s performance. That’s why many universities and government bodies accept PTE as a reliable test.
The results show more detailed information on the candidates’ English proficiency. The thermometer-style Global Scale of English demonstrates the performance in various aspects, including grammar.
In addition, you can feel free to share your scores with any institution you wish.
Once you master the exam, you’re ready to use English confidently. It makes the communication gaps between you and others around the world closer.
As you study abroad, you can understand the lectures with little to no difficulties. When you’re at work, PTE gets you well-prepared for situations requiring your English ability.
PTE offers higher education chances and better job opportunities since many universities and government bodies widely accept it. The test only takes 2 hours to complete and 2 days to release the result, creating convenience for applicants, especially those who need urgent visas.
If you have any questions about the test, don’t hesitate to contact us for advice.
(Read our Vietnamese version here)
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