PTE 2025: Everything You Need to Know Before You Register

Samrat Kataktalware
Jun 28, 2025
4 min read

Are you planning to study, work, or migrate to countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the UK? Then the PTE exam might just be the stepping stone to your global journey. The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is a fast, reliable, and fully computer-based English language test that’s accepted by governments, universities, and employers around the world. Let’s break down everything you need to know about PTE before you register.

What is the PTE?

PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic) is a standardized English proficiency test designed to evaluate the language skills of non-native English speakers who wish to study, work, or migrate to English-speaking countries.

Conducted by Pearson PLC Group, PTE is widely recognized by immigration authorities and academic institutions in Australia, the UK, Canada, New Zealand, and many other countries.

Whether you’re heading to university or applying for a visa, PTE offers a convenient and fast way to prove your English proficiency.

Types of PTE Exams

There are three main versions of the PTE exam—each tailored for different purposes.

✅ PTE Academic A computer-based test that evaluates academic-level English in four areas—Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening. Perfect for students and skilled workers applying to countries like Australia and New Zealand. It is also accepted by U.S. state Boards of Nursing for work visas.

✅ PTE Academic UKVI An approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) for UK visa applications. It’s the same as PTE Academic, but includes a Unique Reference Number (URN) required for UKVI purposes.

✅ PTE Core

A general English test designed specifically for Canadian immigration and citizenship applications. It also evaluates Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening skills over a 2-hour session.

🎯 Which one is right for you?

You should take...	If you are applying for...
PTE Academic	University admission, work or migration to Australia/New Zealand
PTE Academic UKVI	UK visa for below-degree courses or specific work/migration visas (Skilled Worker, Start-up)
PTE Core	Canadian PR or citizenship

PTE Exam Format and Duration

All three PTE versions follow a similar structure and are fully computer-based with a total duration of 2 hours.

Section	Time	Details
Speaking & Writing	50–67 minutes	7 question types including personal intro, describe image, essay writing
Reading	29–30 minutes	5 question types including fill in the blanks and re-order paragraphs
Listening	30–43 minutes	8 question types based on audio/video clips. You can take notes.

🧠 The test is designed to assess integrated skills, so some questions will evaluate more than one ability.

Scoring System

PTE is scored on a scale of 10 to 90, with detailed feedback for each skill: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing. You’ll also receive an overall score, which is the average of your communication skills scores.

🎯 Score requirements may vary by institution or visa type:

Purpose	Typical Minimum Score
Foundation Courses	36–50
Undergraduate Programs	51–60
Postgraduate Programs	57–67

Scores are aligned with the Global Scale of English (GSE), providing precise feedback.
Results in 2–5 working days, often faster than IELTS or TOEFL.
Score Validity: 2 years from the test date.

PTE Test Centers in India

There are 62+ PTE test centers across India, including major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kochi.

📍 While there is currently no PTE center listed in Goa, nearby locations include:

Pearson Professional Center – Pune World Trade Center, Kharadi, Pune, Maharashtra
Pearson Professional Center – Mumbai Solitaire Corporate Park, Andheri (East), Mumbai, Maharashtra
Pearson Professional Center – Bangalore Multiple centers across MG Road, Lalbagh Road, and Shivajinagar, Karnataka

🗓️ Available year-round with flexible booking—slots can be reserved up to 24 hours in advance.

Registration Process – Step-by-Step

Official Website: www.pearsonpte.com

Here’s how to book your PTE test:

Click on ‘Book a Test’ on the website
Choose your destination and purpose (e.g., study in Australia)
Select the recommended test
Click ‘Check Availability & Book’
Enter your preferred test location, choose a center, and select a date
Create your myPTE account with details matching your passport
Complete the booking by answering a few questions and agreeing to PTE policies
Pay the fee online (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc.)

📧 You’ll receive a confirmation email and can manage your test from your my PTE dashboard.

⚠️ Important: Your account name must exactly match your passport. If not, you won’t be allowed to take the test.

PTE Exam Fees (India – 2025)

Test Type	Fee (INR)
PTE Academic	₹18,000
PTE Academic UKVI	₹18,000
PTE Core	₹18,000
PTE Home A1 / A2 / B1	₹15,284 each

📌 Fees are inclusive of 18% tax 📌 Late booking and rescheduling may cost extra

PTE Score Conversion (For Canada PR – PTE Core)

If you're applying for Canadian immigration, your PTE Core score will be mapped to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).
Each language skill—Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking—will have a corresponding CLB level based on your PTE Core results.

🔗 Full conversion guide available on Pearson’s official website

PTE vs IELTS vs TOEFL – Score Comparison

TOEFL iBT	IELTS Band	PTE Score
118–120	9.0	89–90
115	8.5	83–85
110	8.0	78–82
102	7.5	73–77
94	7.0	64–72
79	6.5	58–63
60	6.0	50–57
46	5.5	42–49
35	5.0	35–41
32	4.5	30–34
0–31	0–4.0	0–30

Still unsure? 📞 Talk to our Joyversity experts to find out which test is right for your goals.

Final Tips from Joyversity 🌟

Choose PTE if you prefer a fast, computer-based experience
Register early—slots can fill up quickly during peak seasons
Double-check your passport and account details to avoid test-day issues
Practice with PTE official sample questions to get familiar with the format
Need help preparing or applying? Joyversity is here to support you, every step of the way!