Recognized by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
A single, 2-hour test with results typically in 48 hours
Choose from 500+ test centers worldwide
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All in one general english test
Assess your everyday English speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills
Fair and accurate results
AI scoring combined with human expertise means less biased testing
Fast and convenient
Book easily with frequent test dates and get results in typically 2 days
What can you use PTE Core for?
For permanent residency (economic immigration)
Applying for Canadian permanent residency?
PTE Core is accepted for all economic immigration programs requiring an IRCC‑approved English test.
For Canadian citizenship
Planning to become a Canadian citizen?
PTE Core is accepted by IRCC as proof of English proficiency for citizenship applications.
For postgraduate work permits (PGWP)
If you’ve studied in Canada and are applying for a postgraduate work permit, you can use PTE Core to prove your English skills.
Plan to study in Canada? If you plan to apply to a Canadian university or college, you'll need PTE Academic instead of PTE Core. Explore PTE Academic
Your PTE Core journey in 4 simple steps
Free preparation
Explore short courses, test format guides, and plan your studies with our study planner
Assess your score potential
Try the test in advance with the official Scored Practice Test – and learn how you might score
All preparation in one place
Access all our preparation content in Smart Prep, now in your myPTE account
Part 1: Speaking & Writing
Duration
50-65 minutes
Question types
7 question types
Skills assessed
Speaking & Writing
Part 2: Reading
Duration
27-37 minutes
Question types
5 question types
Skills assessed
Reading
Part 3: Listening
Duration
22-37 minutes
Question types
7 question types
Skills assessed
Listening
Fair and accurate scoring
Get unbiased results with scoring powered by AI
Direct CLB mapping
Your scores convert directly to CLB levels accepted by IRCC for immigration
Score breakdown by skill
See your performance in Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing individually
PTE Academic and PTE Core are designed for different visa pathways:
- PTE Academic is used for university admissions (including in Canada), and migration visas to Australia and New Zealand.
- PTE Core is used just for Canadian permanent residency and citizenship visas.
In essence, if you want to apply for a migration visa in Canada, choose PTE Core. If you wish to study in Canada, choose PTE Academic.
The test content and tasks are different, too: PTE Core is a general English test that assesses language that might be used everyday in a workplace or community; PTE Academic is an academic English test and the questions reflect language you might hear in an academic setting.
Both tests are 4-skills tests (assessing speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills), are taken on a computer at a test center, and use similar scoring methods.
The fees for PTE Core vary depending on the country in which you choose to take your test. To find your price, use the price finder tool at the top of this page, or on our test centers and fees page.
A PTE Core score is valid for two years from the test date. After this period, the score expires and can no longer be used for visa applications.
If your score expires, you will need to take the PTE Core test again to obtain a new valid score.
PTE Core takes around two hours to complete. The test is computer-based and split into three sections:
- Speaking & Writing
- Reading
- Listening
Most test takers get their PTE Core results within two business days after taking the test. In some cases, results may take up to five business days, depending on processing times.
You will be notified by email when your Score Report is ready.
To view your results:
- Log in to your myPTE account
- Go to My Activity
- Select your test to see your score report
After you have taken your test, you will be notified by email when your PTE Core scores are released and are ready to view.
You can check your PTE Core scores by logging into your myPTE account:
Log in to your myPTE account
Go to My Activity
Select your test to view your Score Report
Your Score Report will include:
- Your overall score
- Individual scores for speaking, writing, reading, and listening
Yes, you can reschedule or cancel your PTE test through your myPTE account.
Rescheduling your exam: you can reschedule for free up to 14 days before your test date. If you need to reschedule within 14 days of your test, you need to cancel your appointment and re-book your test. Fees will apply.
Fees for canceling your exam:
- 14 or more days before the test: cancel for free
- Between 13 and 8 days: you will receive a 50% refund
- Fewer than 7 days: you do not receive a refund. PTE may make exeptions in exceptional circumstances, at our discretion.
Learn more about our cancellation and rescheduling policy
To reschedule or cancel your booking:
- Log in to your myPTE account
- Go to My Activity
- Select your booking and choose Reschedule or Cancel
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