We have test centers in over 115 countries. Choose a test to find your nearest test center and next available test slot.
For global study, visa applications to Australia and New Zealand, and professional registration.
For IRCC permanent residency (PR) and citizenship applications in Canada.
A four-skills test for work visas and below non-degree study in the UK.
Two-skills tests for joining family, visa extentions, or citizenship in the UK.
I want to access to...
myPTE account
Book a test or check your existing bookings and scores
or
By: Dan Doyle, Vice President, Assessments & Certifications, Pearson English Language Learning
Every day, English tests help decide whether someone can start a new life abroad.
For those taking a language test as part of a visa or migration process, the stakes couldn’t be higher. These are moments that decide futures, whether it’s studying at university, reuniting with family, or landing a first job overseas. That’s why, for tests like PTE Academic and PTE Core, test centers offer a secure, accurate, and trusted experience that governments can rely upon.
But a few myths still persist, so let’s set the record straight.
Reality: a test center environment provides security that starts before the test begins:
Biometric ID checks. Every test taker must show valid ID (like a passport) and confirm their identity with photos, palm-vein scans, and digital signatures.
Physical security checks. Trained staff check clothing and personal items before entry, stopping hidden notes or unauthorised materials from getting in.
Once the test has begun, test centers combine secure-by-design exams with digital and human supervision to create a secure, fair environment:
Unique exams. Every PTE test is different. No two test takers get the same questions, and proctors can’t access the content.
Secure systems. The test runs on software and hardware fully controlled by Pearson, so it can’t be tampered with.
Multiple cameras, full visibility. Test centers use wide-angle CCTV to monitor the entire room.
Proctors in the room. Trained staff can spot hidden notes, off-screen help, and respond to anything suspicious straight away.
Reality: human proctors play a key role, but they’re just one piece of what makes test centers secure.
Test centers provide multiple types of security and supervision, all managed by the testing body — not the student — making them the most secure testing environment.
As well as cameras, test centers can provide identity verification, physical checks, and in-person supervision needed for a high-stakes test.
This real-time, multi-layered monitoring means if anything suspicious is flagged, a full investigation can be carried out centrally by Pearson, using CCTV footage, audio, AI checks, and human review.
Reality: Pearson carefully analyses every single test result using a combination of AI and trained human experts.
After the test is completed, it goes through fraud analytics to identify unusual patterns or behaviours. If anything looks suspicious, the result is placed on hold and reviewed in detail by our security experts before it’s released.
Biometric checks to confirm identity
Physical security checks to ensure no materials enter the test
Randomised computer-based test content for every candidate
Multiple cameras and full-room visibility
Real-time supervision by trained staff
AI and human experts working together to spot unusual patterns
A consistent environment and equipment for all test takers
These measures make sure that every candidate has the same opportunity to succeed, and every institution can rely on the result. Behind every test is someone with a dream of a new life abroad, and PTE has the great privilege of helping them get there.
Take a look at our latest PTE security whitepaper.
PTE Academic is completed on a computer, including the speaking part of the test.
So make sure you are prepared by familiarizing yourself with the equipment you will use during your test. Reading these test tips and you will be fully prepared.
There are many ways you can improve your chances of gaining points in Part 2: Reading during PTE Academic.
To improve your reading skills, practice increasing your reading speed and comprehension at the same time. In turn, you will improve your writing, grammar and vocabulary skills.
To do well in this part of the test, you need to be able to read quickly, using effective reading strategies, as there is a limited time to answer all questions.
Speed reading tasks will help improve your reading speed. Practice speed reading every day and:
Aim to be reading at least 220 words per minute
Reading short articles of around 300 words
Read often for short periods of time
You can also try this as a challenge with your friends to help keep motivated. Once you are happy with your comprehension and speed, focus on chunks (groups of words) rather than individual words.
When your reading skills reach a level you are happy with, you will feel more confident to answer the questions.
In the Multiple-Choice, Single Answer question type, some test takers make the mistake of scan reading and matching the words in the text to the words in the answer. Generally, the words in the text are not used in the correct answer, therefore it is important to learn how to use synonyms and paraphrasing as it will be used in the test.
Learn how to improve your grammar in our Reading: Core Skills part 1 article.
In this question type, you will need more time than in the Multiple-Choice, Choose Single Answer question type, as you need to intensively read the stem (the part before the options) as well as the options, then scan read the text on the screen until you find the part of the text that contains information that was in the stem.
Read the options very carefully and match the meaning of the option with the text. Do not match the words – this is something test takers may make errors with.
You should also make sure not to choose all the options since you lose one point for each incorrect choice. However, you cannot score below zero.
To do well in the Re-order Paragraphs questions, you will need to have a strong understanding of cohesive devices and how they work. You will also need to understand how articles work, as well as the logical and chronological order of information.
In this question type, skim-read the text to get the ideas of the topic of the text. From there, you should read all the sentences carefully.
For both Fill in the Blanks and Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks question types, you will need to understand a range of vocabulary, collocations, grammar, pronouns, and cohesive devices, as well as being able to identify when plural nouns are needed.
You will also need to be able to skim read to get an idea of the meaning of the text, then read intensively before and after each blank. If unsure, you should guess based on the context.
Make sure you do not leave any spaces blank. You do not need to correctly fill in all spaces to get points.
To go back and review the question types within the reading test, we suggest learning more about the reading questions.
Explore Smart Prep, which combines all our practice materials in one place, so it's easier for you to stay on track with your PTE preparation.
Smart Prep is a clear path to test day, guiding you through the official paid and free resources available for your test
It can be accessed whether you’ve booked a test or not – just create, or sign in to your myPTE account
Preparation materials include guided practice tests, introductory videos, video courses and test tips.
Ready to get started?
Do you have your heart set on studying in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland? The UK is a wonderful place to live and learn, but you’ll most likely need to get a UK study visa before you start packing your bags.
This comprehensive guide covers who needs a UK student visa, the requirements for getting one, how to apply, how much it costs, and how long it takes.
If you’re an international student hoping to study in the UK, you’ll most likely need a student visa. The only exceptions are nationals of Switzerland and countries in the European Economic Area (EEA), who don’t need a visa to enter the UK. *
* Please note: The outcome of Brexit may alter this after 2020. Check the UK government’s website for up-to-date information about this.
There are several UK study visa requirements you’ll need to meet to successfully apply. These include:
You’ve been offered a place in a full-time course from an eligible university (i.e. the school must be a licensed Student route visa*Tier 4 sponsors)
You can understand English (both written and spoken)
You have enough funds to support yourself and any dependants, while also paying for the course.
These requirements apply to students from all over the world. This means the UK student visa requirements for Indian students and American students are exactly the same for Chinese students and Australian students (and so on).
![[Asset] On test day during the test - 800 x 451 - for article use](/content/dam/ELL/pte/pearsonpte/articles/test-day-during-the-test-800-451.jpg)
