TAKE THE PTE TEST, PREPARE FOR PTE EXAM WITH EXPERT COACHING, QUALIFY TO STUDY ABROAD

The main differences between the two are –

PTE Young Learners is an English language assessment test for students between the ages of 6 to 13. Accredited by Pearson Edexcel, it assesses the English language in a stress-free and fun way.

Do note that the PTE Young Learners is not recognized for the purposes of immigration.

PTE Academic is considered a quick test as the test results are delivered within 5 business days.

As such, there is no “pass mark” per se. You are awarded points based on your ability to use the English language.

PTE Academic measures the ability to use English in academic settings.

The score report has an overall score, from 10 to 90 points.

Separate scores are also given between 10 to 90 to each of the skills: Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing.

The PTE score that you should be aiming at will depend upon the course that you are applying for.

Generally, the following are required:

• For UK Tier 4 visas for students wishing to study below degree level: PTE of at least 36
• For UK Tier 4 visas for students wishing to study at or above degree level: PTE of at least 51

Do keep in mind that if you wish to pursue your studies at any higher education institution of the UK, either at the degree level or above, the concerned university will be the deciding factor for the PTE score that will be required.

Usually, the following have been seen to be needed for admission to universities in the UK:

• For MBA: minimum PTE between 59 to 69
• For postgraduate studies: minimum PTE between 57 to 67
• For undergraduate studies: minimum PTE between 51 to 61

As the PTE requirement depends upon the purpose of taking the exam, there is no average PTE score as such.

The overall score in PTE Academic is a combination of the scores achieved in all the 4 individual skills, and not the average of the scores.

As per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF), the PTE score ranges as per proficiency levels are:

The CEF is used as a benchmark for reference to understand scores in any language qualification exam.

Candidates taking the test will have to answer 20 different question formats which includes multiple choice questions, essay questions and questions that involve interpreting information. The test intends to test real-life and academic English of candidates, so, they are asked to listen to excerpts from lectures and look at charts and graphs.

PTE General

The test has 2 parts:

• A written paper
• A spoken test

PTE General assesses the ability of the test taker for communicating in the English language in everyday situations.

A scenario-based English language test, PTE General uses real-life tasks and materials for assessing how well can the test takers express themselves in everyday situations.

PTE Academic

For appearing for the PTE Academic, you will be assigned a computer and a headset at any of the test centres of Pearson.

Total duration of the test: 3 hours, in one sitting

Parts of the test:

A 10-minute break, optional, can be taken between the reading and listening parts.

20 different question formats are in the PTE Academic. Questions asked range from multiple choice questions on one hand, to interpreting information and essay writing on the other.

The validity of PTE General and PTE Academic differ.

PTE General certificates do not have any expiration date.

PTE Academic scores are valid for 2 years from the date that the result has been issued.

PTE Academic scores that you should aim for depends upon the university that you are hoping to get into.

For example, here are the PTE scores accepted by some well-known universities:

Always check with the official website of the educational institution that you are planning to gain admission into. Take note of the PTE scores required for your intended intake. Plan accordingly.

There’s no such thing as a minimum score.

You will have to check directly with the institution that you are applying to.

PTE Academic scores are also accepted for the purposes of immigrating to Australia and New Zealand. Do note that PTE General is not recognized for immigration purposes.

For the purposes of Australia immigration, while the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is more popular, PTE Academic scores are also accepted.

As there are many visa pathways that lead to Australia immigration, the PTE Academic scores required will vary from case to case.

Generally, while some require a minimum PTE of 50 in each of the 4 components of the test, in certain cases a minimum of 65 in each of the 4 components might be needed.