Choosing an English proficiency exam for university admissions

PTE Author
PTE Author
An image of a university in Australia
Reading time: 6 minutes

Applying to university or college often involves meeting an English language requirement, which can feel high-pressure when deadlines and offers depend on a single result. The best English proficiency exam for university admissions is one that your chosen institutions formally accept and that fits your application timeline.

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic is one such exam, designed and administered by Pearson to provide standardized, comparable evidence of academic English ability.

 

How universities decide which English exams they accept

Universities and colleges do not identify a single “best” English exam for all applicants. Instead, each institution selects a set of tests that meet its needs. It then sets minimum scores for each test that meet its language requirements. These scores are often set at program level, which means requirements may differ between undergraduate, postgraduate, foundation, or professional courses.

Because these policies can change, you should always rely on official admissions pages rather than third-party summaries when confirming requirements.

From a university’s perspective, an accepted test must produce results that are secure, verifiable, and comparable across applicants. This is why institutions focus on test design, scoring consistency, and reporting systems when deciding which tests to accept.

Further reading:

 

How test design affects how universities interpret results

Test design matters to universities and colleges because it shapes what a score represents and how reliably results can be compared across applicants. Admissions teams need confidence that scores reflect an applicant’s ability to use English in a practical, academic context, and that they are produced under consistent and fair conditions.

PTE Academic uses integrated tasks that assess multiple language skills together – such as reading and writing – which reflects how English is used in real-life university study. All speaking responses are recorded and assessed within the same computer-based session, rather than through a separate interview. This standardized design means institutions receive results that are easier to interpret and compare fairly.

Further reading:

 

Why scoring design matters for admissions decisions

Scoring design is central to how universities interpret test results, because admissions teams need to compare applicants fairly across countries, test centers, and test dates, and be confident that their English language skills are measured consistently.

PTE Academic uses automated scoring technology that analyzes features such as pronunciation, fluency, grammar, and vocabulary using consistent criteria. Responses that require additional checking are reviewed by trained experts to protect accuracy and test integrity. This blended approach exists to apply the same standards to every test, regardless of where or when it is taken.

Results are reported on a scale of 10-90 (using the Global Scale of English) for overall performance and for each communicative skill. This granular level of detail allows institutions to set very precise score thresholds, mapped to the specific demands of their courses.

Because scoring is centralized and common for every test, rather than assessed locally by an individual, results are easily comparable across all test takers.

Further reading:

 

How test delivery affects the application process

Test delivery matters to universities and colleges because it determines how securely responses are captured, and how consistently the assessment is administered. PTE Academic is delivered entirely on computer at secure test centers, with all test activity conducted under the same controlled conditions.

The full test is completed in a single session, with speaking, writing, listening, and reading all recorded digitally as part of one standardized process. There is no separate speaking appointment and no paper handling, which reduces administrative variation between test centers and test dates. Other English exams may use paper-based formats, remote delivery, or in-person interviews.

While these approaches can work in different contexts, they can introduce additional administrative complexity or variability. For admissions teams, a single, computer-based delivery model makes it easier to verify and handle results across large pools of international applicants.

Further reading:

 

How results timelines affect university applications

Application deadlines are fixed, which makes results timelines an important practical consideration. PTE Academic is designed to deliver results quickly after the test is completed, typically within 48 hours. Fast reporting allows you to confirm earlier whether you have met a university’s score requirement and to send official results without delay.

PTE Academic supports electronic score delivery to institutions through a secure platform, which reduces administrative handling and helps admissions teams verify results efficiently. Most universities also require that English test scores are recent, often within two years of the application date. You should therefore consider both score validity periods and reporting timelines when choosing a test date.

Further reading:

 

How acceptance works across countries and institutions

Acceptance depends on whether a university or authority has formally recognized a test for a specific purpose. PTE Academic is accepted by universities and colleges across major study destinations, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and in many other institutions globally.

It is also accepted for certain student visa pathways where proof of English proficiency is required. Acceptance can still vary by program, even within the same institution. For example, professional degrees or pathway programs may list different score requirements than general academic courses. If an admissions page lists PTE Academic with a required score, that result is treated in the same way as any other approved English test for that program.

Acceptance varies between universities, programs, and visa types. For a broader view of which English tests universities accept worldwide — including how requirements differ for student visas — see our guide on which English tests universities accept for international students. If you're applying to US colleges specifically, see how to choose the best English test for US college admissions.

Further reading:

 

What the end-to-end testing process looks like

The testing process is designed to be standardized from registration to score reporting. You first register online, choose a test center, and complete identity and security checks. Then, on the day of the test, all tasks are completed in one sitting, with your speaking responses recorded digitally.

After completion, your responses are scored through the centralized system, and results are released once quality checks are complete. You can then send official scores electronically to your chosen institutions, and institutions can check your score through a secure online portal. If you need to retake the test, the same standardized format and scoring process applies, which helps universities compare results fairly.

Further reading:

 

A short checklist before you choose an exam

Before booking an English proficiency exam, it helps to confirm a few essentials:

  • Your chosen program lists the test as accepted and specifies a minimum score

  • Your planned test date allows time for score reporting and a retake if required

  • Your score will still be valid on the application deadline

  • You understand how official scores are sent to institutions

Confirming these points early helps reduce last-minute risk and keeps your university application on track.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best English proficiency exam for university admissions?

The best exam is the one your chosen universities or colleges accept and that fits your application timeline. Institutions focus on whether a test produces reliable, comparable results, not on ranking tests against each other. For a comparison of the main tests universities recognise, see which English tests universities accept for international students.

Is PTE Academic accepted by universities worldwide?

PTE Academic is accepted by 4,000 universities and colleges across major study destinations. Acceptance and required scores should always be confirmed directly with each institution.

How are PTE Academic results scored?

Results are generated using automated scoring supported by expert human review, which applies consistent criteria across all test takers and supports comparability for admissions decisions.

How quickly are results available?

Results are typically available within 48 hours of test completion, which supports timely application planning.

Can I retake the test if my score is too low?

Yes, you may book another test date and retake the exam, provided you allow enough time before university deadlines.

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    1. Adulting 

    Definition: The action of becoming or acting like an adult 

    In December 2020, the Oxford English Dictionary added the word “adulting.” It’s often used by young people when they talk about doing tasks that are essential to every-day life – like cooking meals, buying insurance, or paying taxes.  

    How to use it: My roommates and I are adulting all the time. We clean the whole house every Saturday! 

    2. Awe walk 

    Definition: Taking a walk outside and making an effort to look at the things around you 

    “Awe walk” hasn’t been added to the Cambridge Dictionary yet – but they have noticed it’s been used quite a bit. The word “awe” means a feeling of respect. So when someone says they will take an awe walk, it means they’ll notice – and feel grateful for – all the small things around them. 

    The word was actually coined by the authors of a psychological study, which found older people who took awe walks felt more positive and less stressed over time.  

    How to use it: Today on our awe walk we noticed a tree we’d never seen before.  

    3. Contactless 

    Definition: not having to physically touch or interact with people, or relating to a technological system for payments, where information is transmitted over short distances without physical contact

    “Contactless” delivery became a popular option for shoppers during the pandemic. People who choose contactless delivery get their groceries or food delivered to the doorsteps, but don’t have to go out to receive them. Merriam-Webster added the word to their dictionary in April, right at the beginning of the pandemic. Contactless is also referred to when talking about contactless payment technology.

    How to use it: Our family started to shop at a new grocery store, because we wanted the option to have contactless delivery.  

    The limit on contactless payments has increased. 

    4. Doomscrolling 

    Definition: the action of constantly scrolling through and reading depressing news on a news site or on social media, especially on a phone  

    Dictionary.com added “doomscrolling” in summer 2020. And, we’ve all done it. Doomscrolling is when you become obsessed with staying up to date with bad news. It’s a combination of the noun “doom” and verb “scroll” – and was made popular by the journalist Karen Ho last year.  

    How to use it: I was doomscrolling on Twitter today while reading about Covid-19 cases. I think it’s why I feel so anxious now.  

     

    5. PPE

    Definition: an abbreviation for personal protective equipment 

    Many of us first heard the word “PPE” at the beginning of the pandemic, and the word was added by Merriam-Webster last April. PPE is the abbreviation of personal protective equipment. This is the clothing people wear to protect themselves from danger. Masks, gloves, face shields, and goggles are all examples of PPE. 

    How to use it: Many healthcare professionals and essential workers did not have access to PPE at the beginning of the pandemic.  

     

    6. Quarenteen

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    7. Thirsty 

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    Part 2: Reading test introduction
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    Part 2 of PTE Academic will take 32-41 minutes and will test your reading skills. This single-timed section contains 15-20 questions that test both independent and integrated skills.

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    Multiple-choice, Choose Multiple Answer

    The second question type will be similar to the previous. Multiple-Choice, Choose Multiple Answer will test your reading skills.

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    As part of the PTE Academic, you must demonstrate a certain set of core English skills to maximize your score.

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    • Use noun phrases where possible to show that you can use certain features of academic vocabulary in your writing.

    When completing the question type, make sure you write only one sentence. If you write more, points will be lost.

    A good sentence for this question type is 20-35 words long. If you write a short sentence, it will not capture all the meaning. Remember to check the word count in the box below your answer.

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