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PTE Academic

Pearson Test of English Academic

A computer-based English test taken only at an authorised PTE test centre — it cannot be taken at home — with results typically within two business days (sometimes up to five). According to Pearson, it is accepted by 4,000+ universities and colleges worldwide, including virtually all universities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK and widely across the US, and by Australia's Department of Home Affairs and Immigration New Zealand for visas that require an English test. For UK visas for study below degree level, or at places that are not Higher Education Institutions, Pearson points to the separate PTE Academic UKVI. Each university and visa authority sets its own minimum score. The Score Report is valid for two years from the test date.

Last updated

Record your PTE Academic score
Over-ear headphones resting on a desk beside a laptop for a listening test.

Frequency

Regular test dates at 500+ test centres in over 115 countries (check availability at your nearest centre)

Duration

About 2 hours

Format

Computer-based

Score range

10–90

Eligibility

Pearson publishes no academic prerequisite. Bring a valid passport on test day (other IDs only in the cases Pearson's identification policy lists); under-18s need a parent's or guardian's consent

Conducting body

Pearson

Registration fee

Set by country, e.g. USA US$265, UK £230, Canada CA$360, Australia AU$499, India ₹18,900, Germany €270 (Pearson list prices, Sep 2026)

Universities that accept PTE Academic

Acceptance can differ by level and programme — confirm on the programme’s own page.

Related / Next steps

Guides that cover the PTE Academic

7 min read

PTE Academic for Australia and New Zealand: A Student Guide

PTE Academic for university and visa applications in Australia and New Zealand — its computer-based format, who accepts it, and why required scores differ by institution and route.

6 min read

Duolingo English Test and PTE Acceptance in Europe

Where the Duolingo English Test and PTE Academic are accepted in Europe — why acceptance varies and how to confirm it for both the university and the visa.

7 min read

IELTS vs PTE for the Australia Student Visa

IELTS and PTE Academic for studying in Australia — test format, how each is scored, results timing, and where each is accepted. Both are widely recognised; verify exact score requirements on the official sources.

7 min read

TOEFL and PTE for UK and Ireland Universities

Using TOEFL iBT (ETS) and PTE Academic (Pearson) for university applications in the United Kingdom and Ireland — what each test is, how acceptance varies by university, and why you should confirm scores on the official course page.

8 min read

STEP (Standardized Test of English Proficiency) for Saudi Universities Explained

What STEP is and how it works: Saudi Arabia's ETEC/Qiyas English proficiency test used by universities and scholarship programmes — its purpose, format, CEFR alignment, how it compares with IELTS/TOEFL, and how to register.

8 min read

Approved English Tests for the Subclass 500 and New Zealand Student Visa Explained

Which English tests each immigration authority officially lists for Australia and New Zealand student visas, and why university lists can be broader.

8 min read

English Tests for Studying in Asia: IELTS, TOEFL & More

Which English tests such as IELTS and TOEFL Asian universities accept, how scores are used, and why minimum requirements vary by each university.

6 min read

English Test Requirements for US Universities

Which English proficiency tests are accepted at US universities, how requirements and waivers vary by institution, and how to find the official requirement for any specific university.

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