Shiksha in conversation with Amit Upadhyay – DGM, PTE Academic, Pearson; Shhweta Naman - Senior Manager Product, Pearson India Education Services; Tapasya Bahl - Sales Consultant, Pearson India and Yatender Sharma – Deputy General Manager Marketing, Pearson discussed important aspects of the PTE exam along with students who are planning to study abroad and would be required to take the Pearson PTE exam or some other English language test as part of their study abroad admission process. Excerpts of the webinar are as follows.
Q. What are the popular countries accepting the PTE exam scores?
A. The PTE Academic exam is accepted by over 3,000+ institutions worldwide. Popular study abroad destinations such as the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand accept PTE scores as part of the university admission process. PTE Scores are also accepted by the Australian, UK, and New Zealand governments for visa purposes.
Q. What are the PTE score requirements for admission to universities abroad?
A. Candidates applying to universities abroad should note that PTE score requirements would be different for every university. Hence, students are advised to visit the official university website and check the PTE score requirements, prepare well and achieve the required scores in PTE for their application to be accepted by the university. Candidates can also visit the official PTE website: https://www.pearsonpte.com/who-accepts-pte to know about the list of universities/countries accepting PTE scores.
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Q. Are candidates required to appear for multiple English proficiency tests?
A. Candidates should note that while there are multiple English language tests (Duolingo, IELTS, PTE and TOEFL) available to students. However, candidates are only required to appear for one English language test as part of the university application process for studying abroad. Candidates should bear in mind that their preferred English proficiency test is recognized by the university as well as for the visa process. Candidates can get in touch with our Shiksha Counsellors for assistance with university admissions on our website.
Q. What is the current test format of the PTE exam?
A. Given the impact of Covid-19 on the study abroad industry, test conducting bodies had to make crucial alterations to the English language tests to make them more accessible to students amidst the pandemic. Similarly, in November 2021, Pearson PLC Group – the conducting body of the PTE exam shortened the PTE academic test from a three-hour format to the current two-hour PTE test format. The updated PTE exam pattern is as follows:
PTE Exam Pattern 2022
| PTE Sections |
PTE Test Duration |
|---|---|
| Personal Introduction |
1 minute |
| PTE Speaking and Writing Section |
54 – 67 minutes |
| PTE Reading Section |
29 – 30 minutes |
| PTE Listening Section |
30 – 43 minutes |
Q. What is the PTE Online test?
A. The pandemic required an abrupt shutting down of PTE Test Centres keeping student safety in mind. However, to allow students to take the PTE exam during the pandemic, the conducting body of the PTE exam – Pearson PLC Group launched the PTE at Home for candidates looking to take the PTE exam from the comfort of their homes. However, with most PTE test centres having resumed test services across India, candidates can now either opt to take the PTE Academic exam from the test centre or appear for the PTE Online test at Home.
Candidates should note that the students opting for the PTE Online test from home would be required to have the mandatory system requirements and a test conducive environment during the testing period as prenotified by Pearson. The PTE test scorecards would also mention that the candidate has opted for the PTE Online test version.
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Download: List of Colleges accepting PTE Academic Online Scores
Q. What is the PTE full form? And what is the difference between PTE Academic, PTE Academic UKVI and PTE Academic Online?
A. The PTE full form is the Pearson Test of English and is conducted by the Pearson PLC Group. It is an English language test that helps students prove their language proficiency to universities and border agencies across the world.
The PTE Academic exam is conducted round-the-year, for students looking to get admission to a university or institution. The exam consists of four sections, speaking and writing, reading and listening. The scores of the PTE Academic exam are valid for a period of two years. The PTE Academic UKVI is a Secure English Language Test (SELT) that is approved by the UK Home Office for all UK visas that require a 4 skill language test. It is a fast, fair, and convenient choice for candidates who wish to work, study, or live in the UK. Candidates should note that there is no difference in the content or format of the PTE Academic UKVI exam when compared to the PTE Academic exam. There are minor differences in the registration process. The PTE Academic Online is a version of the PTE Academic that you can take from home when you are unable to reach a PTE Test Centre.
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Q. What are the differences between IELTS and PTE English exams?
A. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Pearson Test of English are both English language exams for candidates looking to study abroad. Let us understand the similarities and differences between the two English proficiency tests.
| Factors |
IELTS |
PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Test Functionality |
Both tests are used to prove your English language ability to study, work or move abroad to countries such as Australia, Canada and the UK. |
|
| CEFR Compatibility |
The test scores of both the exams PTE (10-90) and IELTS (0-9) are compatible with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The CEFR is used throughout Europe and also in other parts of the world. |
|
| Skills |
Both the tests focus on the same set of skills while testing candidates in their English language. The skills tested are Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. |
|
| Score Reporting |
Both the tests allow candidates to send their scores to their preferred university directly. However, while IELTS has a cap on 5 universities that are covered in the registration cost and anything more than five would have to be paid for by the student. PTE allows free sharing of test scores to an unlimited number of universities. |
|
| Test Duration |
The total duration of the IELTS exam is 2hrs 45mins and is held in two sessions. Candidates are required to complete the Listening, Reading and Writing in the one session which takes around 2hrs30mins. And the speaking test which is for about 15mins is held in a different session and can be scheduled on the same day or on a different date. |
The total duration of the PTE Academic exam is 2hrs and is conducted in one single session. |
| Score Delivery |
Results of the IELTS paper-based test are available to candidates in 13 days. Results for the IELTS computer-based test are available in 2-5 days. However, the speaking section is still scored by humans. |
The scoring process for the PTE exam is entirely computer-based using the help of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) leaving no room for human error. The PTE scores are available to candidates on their account in 2 days' time. |
| Test Format |
The IELTS exam pattern starts with the Listening Section (30mins), followed by the Reading Section (60mins), the Writing section (60mins) and the Speaking Section( |
The PTE exam pattern has clubbed the Speaking and Writing Section (60mins) followed by the Reading Section (30mins) and the Listening Section (40mins). |
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Q. What are the benefits of opting for the PTE Academic exam?
A. Benefits of opting for the PTE exam against the other English tests include appearing for the PTE in a single sitting test of only 2 hours, The PTE exam pattern has been designed to allow students a lot more ways to showcase their language capabilities and achieve better scores. PTE results are typically available within 2 business days in your student account, and the results are valid for 2 years from the date they were received in your student account.
Q. What are the rescheduling and cancelling test policies for the PTE exam?
A. Candidates planning to either cancel or reschedule their exam can do so at any time by visiting the official PTE website and logging into the myPTE account. Here candidates would have to follow the instructions of either cancelling or rescheduling their PTE exam. You will receive an email confirming the rescheduling or cancellation of your PTE test date.
PTE Rescheduling and Cancellation Fees
| Timeframe* |
PTE Rescheduling Fee |
PTE Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 14 days or more before your test date |
You can reschedule your test at no additional cost |
you will receive a full refund |
| 8-13 days before your test date |
You will be charged 50% of the rescheduled test fee |
You will be eligible for a 50% refund of the original test fee |
| 7 days or fewer before your test date |
You will be charged in full for the new test booking |
You will not be eligible for any refund |
* Note: The day of your PTE test is not included in these policy timeframes
Q. Any preparation advice for students wanting to appear for the Pearson PTE exam?
A. Candidates can refer to the resources available on the official website, pearsonpte.com for better guidance. The official website also has scored practice tests and print resources available for the guidance that aspirants can get from the website. Some good tips for the PTE Listening section would be to increase your listening exposure to English audios in your daily routine and enhance your short term memory. Also, it would help to speak as much as possible in English.
Also Read: What is Personal Introduction in PTE Exam?
For Reading section tips, candidates are advised to increase their reading exposure. Read newspapers as much as you can. Try to read small columns. This way you'll get an understanding of how connecting words are used and a link is created between two sentences. Candidates can also get hold of The Official Guide to PTE - a great learning and preparation resource to prepare well for the PTE test, currently available on Amazon.
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