By Thanh Tran, PTE and IELTS coach
Updated
Which test you need
PTE Core is for moving to Canada, such as permanent residence or citizenship. It tests everyday English for work and life.
PTE Academic is for university study in any country, and for visas to Australia and New Zealand. It tests English from study and university life.
Pearson runs both tests and scores both from 10 to 90, but they're different tests. Check what your visa or university asks for before you book.
PTE Core and PTE Academic compared
PTE Core and PTE Academic compared, from Pearson, IRCC and Home Affairs, reviewed October 2026
Who it's for
- PTE Core
- Moving to Canada: permanent residence, citizenship, or a work permit after you graduate
- PTE Academic
- University study, and visas to Australia and New Zealand
English it tests
- PTE Core
- Everyday English for work and life, such as emails and notices
- PTE Academic
- English from study and university life, such as lectures and articles
Length
- PTE Core
- Up to 2 hours
- PTE Academic
- 2 hours 10 minutes to about 2 and a half hours
Parts
- PTE Core
- Speaking and writing 50 to 65 minutes, reading 27 to 37, listening 22 to 37
- PTE Academic
- Speaking and writing 76 to 84 minutes, reading 23 to 30, listening 31 to 39
Question types
- PTE Core
- 19
- PTE Academic
- 22
Only in this test
- PTE Core
- Write Email
- PTE Academic
- Re-tell Lecture, Write Essay, Summarize Group Discussion and Highlight Correct Summary
Score scale
- PTE Core
- 10 to 90, overall and for each skill
- PTE Academic
- 10 to 90, overall and for each skill
Canadian permanent residence and citizenship
- PTE Core
- Accepted, read as a CLB level for each skill
- PTE Academic
- Not accepted
Australian visas
- PTE Core
- Not accepted
- PTE Academic
- Accepted at every English level
Results
- PTE Core
- Usually within 2 days
- PTE Academic
- Usually within 2 days
Valid for
- PTE Core
- 2 years
- PTE Academic
- 2 years
| PTE Core | PTE Academic | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Moving to Canada: permanent residence, citizenship, or a work permit after you graduate | University study, and visas to Australia and New Zealand |
| English it tests | Everyday English for work and life, such as emails and notices | English from study and university life, such as lectures and articles |
| Length | Up to 2 hours | 2 hours 10 minutes to about 2 and a half hours |
| Parts | Speaking and writing 50 to 65 minutes, reading 27 to 37, listening 22 to 37 | Speaking and writing 76 to 84 minutes, reading 23 to 30, listening 31 to 39 |
| Question types | 19 | 22 |
| Only in this test | Write Email | Re-tell Lecture, Write Essay, Summarize Group Discussion and Highlight Correct Summary |
| Score scale | 10 to 90, overall and for each skill | 10 to 90, overall and for each skill |
| Canadian permanent residence and citizenship | Accepted, read as a CLB level for each skill | Not accepted |
| Australian visas | Not accepted | Accepted at every English level |
| Results | Usually within 2 days | Usually within 2 days |
| Valid for | 2 years | 2 years |
Same name, different rules
Some question types have the same name in both tests but different rules, so practise the version for your test.
- Summarize Written Text: in PTE Core you write 25 to 50 words, in one or more sentences. In PTE Academic you write one sentence of 5 to 75 words.
- Summarize Spoken Text: in PTE Core you write 20 to 30 words in 8 minutes. In PTE Academic you write 50 to 70 words in 10 minutes.
- Respond to a Situation: in PTE Core you get 20 seconds to prepare, and your answer is marked on how well it suits the situation. In PTE Academic you get 10 seconds, and it's marked on content.
- Read Aloud, Answer Short Question, Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks and Listening: Fill in the Blanks count for two skills in PTE Core, and for one in PTE Academic.
- PTE Core Summarize Written Text
The PTE Core rules, and how to write the summary.
- PTE Core Summarize Spoken Text
The PTE Core rules, and how to write the summary.
- PTE Core Respond to a Situation
The PTE Core rules, and how to answer.
Practising for each test
Pearson says practice for PTE Academic doesn't fit PTE Core, because PTE Core uses everyday English. So practise with questions from the test you're taking.
Leap Exam has practice for both, with each test's own question types and rules. One Pro covers PTE Core, PTE Academic and IELTS.
