PTE Core vs PTE Academic: which Pearson test do you need for Canada, study or visas?
Pearson runs two English tests with the same 10 to 90 scale and many of the same tasks, and booking the wrong one is an expensive mistake. PTE Core is the general English test for Canadian immigration and citizenship. PTE Academic is the test for university study and, Pearson says, for Australian and New Zealand visas and Canadian study. This guide sets out what each is accepted for, how the tasks differ, and how to choose.
Which test for which purpose
| You need English for | Book |
|---|---|
| Canadian permanent residence (Express Entry and other economic programmes) | PTE Core |
| Canadian citizenship | PTE Core |
| A Canadian post-graduation work permit | PTE Core (Pearson lists it) |
| Study in Canada | PTE Academic (Pearson points students there) |
| University study in other countries | PTE Academic |
| Australian or New Zealand visas | PTE Academic |
IRCC's Express Entry page names three approved English tests: CELPIP, IELTS and PTE Core, and says you must take the PTE Core option. A PTE Academic result is not one of them.
Side by side
| PTE Core | PTE Academic | |
|---|---|---|
| English it tests | General, everyday and work | Academic |
| Where | Test centre only; "cannot be taken at home" | Test centre, or at home in some countries |
| Length | About 2 hours | About 2 hours |
| Speaking and Writing | 50 to 65 minutes | 76 to 84 minutes |
| Reading | 27 to 37 minutes | 23 to 30 minutes |
| Listening | 22 to 37 minutes | 31 to 39 minutes |
| Scores | 10 to 90, overall and four skills | 10 to 90, overall and four skills |
| Used with CLB | Yes, Pearson and IRCC publish a chart | No |
The tasks that differ
Most task types are shared: Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Respond to a Situation, Answer Short Question, Summarize Written Text, the five reading tasks, and most listening tasks. The differences:
| Only in PTE Core | Only in PTE Academic |
|---|---|
| Write Email: 2 or 3 emails covering three points, 50 to 120 words for full form marks | Write Essay: an academic essay, 20 minutes |
| Retell Lecture: re-tell an academic talk aloud | |
| Summarize Group Discussion: summarise a discussion aloud | |
| Highlight Correct Summary in Listening |
The texts and recordings differ in kind too. PTE Core uses everyday situations such as notices, workplace messages and community services; PTE Academic uses lectures and academic texts.
Can I use the same preparation?
Largely, yes. The shared tasks are scored in the same way: pronunciation and fluency on the speaking tasks, one point per correct word in Write from Dictation, and points taken away for wrong choices in Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers and Highlight Incorrect Words. If you switch from Academic to Core:
- Learn Write Email: a greeting, three short paragraphs for the three points, a closing. It replaces the essay. See our PTE Core writing guide.
- Drop Retell Lecture and Summarize Group Discussion.
- Practise with everyday texts and recordings, not lectures.
- Learn what CLB your scores give: our PTE Core to CLB chart.
Booking and results
PTE Core is booked through a myPTE account, for a day and time at one of Pearson's centres. Most results arrive within two business days, and scores are valid for two years from the test date. You can reschedule free up to 14 days before. The steps are on our PTE Core test dates page, and the format of PTE Academic is on our PTE Academic page.
Useful links
- PTE Core (pearsonpte.com)
- IRCC: language test results for Express Entry (canada.ca)
- Free PTE Core mock tests
- Free PTE Academic mock tests
- PTE Core syllabus
- PTE Core vs CELPIP
Frequently asked questions
Is PTE Academic accepted for Canada PR?
No. IRCC's Express Entry page names CELPIP, IELTS and PTE Core, and says to take the PTE Core option.
Is PTE Core easier than PTE Academic?
It uses everyday rather than academic English, and Write Email replaces the essay. It is scored on the same 10 to 90 scale, and the CLB level you need is what decides how hard it is for you.
Can I take PTE Core at home?
No. Pearson says PTE Core cannot be taken at home; it is taken at an authorised test centre.
Are PTE Core and PTE Academic scores the same?
Both use 10 to 90, but they are different tests. Only PTE Core scores are aligned to CLB for IRCC.