Which PTE test is right for me?

PTE Academic and PTE Core are designed for different purposes and this is reflected in the test content. PTE Core is accepted for Canadian permanent residency and citizenship applications, while PTE Academic is accepted for global university study, visa applications to Australia and New Zealand, and professional registration.

PTE Academic focuses on testing your English skills in academic settings, while the content of PTE Core focuses on everyday situations.

For example, in PTE Core you may be asked to read a magazine article or write an email. You will not be asked to consider lecture materials or academic articles. Otherwise, the two tests share many of the same features. Like PTE Academic, PTE Core is a two-hour test taken at a test center, and it covers the four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing.

PTE Academic and UKVI are the same test, but PTE Academic UKVI gives you a Unique Reference Number (URN) for your UK visa application.

Choose PTE Academic if you're applying for a course that is:

• degree level or above at a UK Higher Education Institution (HEI). You can check this by seeing if your chosen institution and program accepts PTE Academic.

Choose PTE Academic UKVI if you're applying for a course that is:

• below degree level (for example a foundation, pathways or professional English course) and/or
• somewhere that is not a Higher Education Institution

You can also choose PTE Academic UKVI if you're applying for a specific work visa. Visit our PTE Academic UKVI page for details of the applicable work visas.

Always check with the institution about the specific requirements for the course you are applying.

What is the difference between PTE Home A1, PTE Home A2 and PTE Home B1?

PTE Home A1, PTE Home A2 and PTE Home B1 are all speaking and listening tests that are accepted by the UK Home Office for different visa categories. They allow you to certify that you can communicate in English at CEFR levels A1, A2 or B1.

You should choose the PTE Home test that is accepted for the work or family visa you are applying for:

PTE Home A1

• Spouse visa or partner visa
• Parent of a Dependent visa
• Representative of an Overseas Business visa
• Sportsperson visa

PTE Home A2

• Extend a Spouse visa or partner visa
• Extend a Parent of a Dependent visa

PTE Home B1

• Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
• Citizenship

Explore PTE Home tests

PTE Academic is accepted by 4,000+ institutions worldwide, including Oxford University, Harvard Business School, and Yale.

Find out who accepts PTE

No. All PTE tests must be taken at a test center – this helps ensure our tests remain secure, accurate and trusted. You'll take your test on a computer at the test center, removing the bias or stress of face-to-face interviews. Learn what to expect on test day. 

We have test centers in 127 countries, with frequent test dates available.