PTE stands for Pearson Test of English. It is a computer-based English proficiency test with fully AI-based scoring. It is accepted by over 3,000 universities and immigration authorities in more than 140 countries, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and New Zealand. Results are available in 24–48 hours with no human examiner involvement.
The flagship PTE test for university admissions and Australian/New Zealand immigration. Used worldwide by 3,000+ universities and accepted by skilled migration programs.
Designed exclusively for Canadian immigration. IRCC-approved since 2023 for Express Entry, FSW, FST, CEC, and most Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).
A Secure English Language Test (SELT) approved by UK Visas & Immigration. Identical to PTE Academic in format but taken at UKVI-approved test centers.
A SELT test for UK family, settlement, and citizenship applications. Easier than PTE Academic UKVI — focused on basic conversational English.
| Feature | PTE Academic | PTE Core |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | University admission & Australian PR | Canadian PR & Express Entry |
| Content Style | Academic English | Everyday workplace English |
| Accepted By | 3,000+ universities globally | IRCC (Canada only) |
| Scoring | 10–90 PTE scale | 10–90 PTE → CLB conversion |
| Writing Tasks | Summarize Text + Essay (200–300 words) | Summarize Text + Email Writing |
| Test Duration | ~2 Hours | ~2 Hours |
| Best For | Students, Australian PR aspirants | Canadian PR aspirants |