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PTE Academic is a computer-based language test that provides the most unbiased and secure proof of a candidate’s English skills for university, professional, and migration applications. PTE Academic assesses listening, reading, speaking, and writing – all via a computer in a single two-hour test session. To complete the test, you will need to attend a secure Pearson Test Center. You will use a computer and a headset to listen to, read, and respond to questions. PTE Academic is accepted by thousands of universities, colleges, and institutions around the world, and approved for all Australian, New Zealand, and UK visa and migration applications.

PTE Academic is accepted for study applications by more than 3,300 institutions around the world and is approved by the Australian and New Zealand Governments for all student visa and migration applications. It is also accepted for study in most Canadian universities and colleges, and recognized by the Canadian government for Student Direct Stream (SDS) applications. PTE Academic is also recognized by the UK Government for family, work and study visa applications. Please choose PTE Academic UKVI if you are applying for a UK visa to ensure you receive your SELT Unique Reference Number (URN), which you will need to include as part of your application process. For full admission or application requirements please contact institutions directly. Search the full list of institutions that accept PTE Academic. Worldwide, PTE Academic continues to gain recognition at institutions in many popular destinations, expanding opportunities for work and study abroad.

PTE Academic is accepted for student and migration applications across the world. In addition to its unbiased approach to testing, the test has many unique advantages.

There is no difference between the content and scoring of the two tests. However, if you are applying for a UK visa you must sit PTE Academic UKVI, as it has slight differences in the test registration process to support your visa application. Only the UKVI version will provide you with a SELT Unique Reference Number (URN) which you will need for your visa application.

All responses in PTE Academic are machine scored using our unique automated scoring system. Scores for some question types are based on correctness alone, while others are based on correctness, formal aspects and the quality of the response. Formal aspects refer to the form of the response: for example, whether it is over or under the word limit for a particular item type. The quality of the response is represented in the enabling skills. For example, in the item type, ‘Retell lecture’, your response is scored on skills such as oral fluency and pronunciation. There are two types of scoring: correct or incorrect, and partial credit: Correct or incorrect: If your responses are correct, you will be awarded 1 score point. If they are incorrect, you are awarded no score points. Partial credit: Other item types are scored as correct, partially correct, or incorrect. If your responses to these items are correct, you will get the maximum score points available for each item type. If your answers are partly correct, you will get some score points, but less than the maximum available for the item type. If all your responses are incorrect, you will get no score points.