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Where do you want to go with PTE?
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Find the PTE test your immigration authority or university accepts. For Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recognizes PTE Core for Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Results arrive in as little as 2 business days.
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Find your test
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What PTE does for your visa, permit & university plan.
PTE gives you acceptance, speed, and scoring you can trust.
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Book on your schedule
PTE test slots are available year-round at Pearson VUE centers in 100+ countries, with booking open up to 24 hours in advance.
Results in 2 business days
PTE Core and PTE Academic results typically arrive in 2 business days, taking pressure off visa, permit, and admissions deadlines.
AI + Human expertise scoring
Every PTE score combines AI trained by language experts with anomaly review by humans, so your result reflects your English consistently and fairly.
Accepted where it counts
PTE Core is accepted by IRCC for Canada. PTE Academic is recognized by the Department of Home Affairs (Australia) and Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and by 3,500+ universities worldwide. PTE Academic UKVI and PTE Home Tests are recognized by the UK Home Office.
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Find the right PTE test
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Start with your destination. Match the test to your visa, permit, or admissions requirements using the options below.
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PTE Core
The IRCC-accepted test for Canadian PR,PGWP and citizenship
AI + Human expertise scored, 2-hour test, results in as little as 2 business days. Accepted by IRCC for Express Entry, PNP, and the Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Explore PTE Core
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PTE Academic
The global test for universities & migration
AI + Human expertise scored, results typically in under 2 business days. Accepted by 3,500+ universities globally and by immigration authorities in Australia and New Zealand.
Explore PTE Academic
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PTE Express
The at-home test for US institutional admissions
AI + Human expertise scored, at-home test for US college and university admissions only. Unverified results in minutes; certified results within 48 hours after a security check.
Explore PTE Express
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Book, sit, and verify your test
Visa, permit, immigration, and admissions decisions depend on a test process the accepting authority can trust. The Pearson platforms below support booking, secure test delivery, ID verification, and score sharing across the PTE suite.
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Pearson VUE test centers
Search for a Pearson VUE test center in your city or country and book a slot for PTE Core or PTE Academic. Centers operate year-round with test dates available to book up to 24 hours in advance, so you can find a slot that fits your visa or admissions deadline.
Find a test center
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PTE Express at home
PTE Express runs from your own laptop with remote proctoring and no test center required. It is accepted for US college and university admissions only — not for visa or migration applications anywhere. Check the setup requirements before you register to make sure your device qualifies.
Check requirements
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Score sharing at no per-send fee
Your Pearson account lets you send your verified PTE Core or PTE Academic result to immigration authorities, universities, and sponsoring employers at no per-send fee. You can add unlimited recipients — IRCC, multiple provincial nominees, your RCIC, or your sponsoring employer — in the same workflow with no extra charge.
PTE Academic
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What outcomes do PTE test takers see?
When you are choosing a test, a few facts matter most: acceptance, speed, and scoring you can trust. Here is what the current evidence shows.
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Results turnaround: 2 business days
Typical PTE Core and PTE Academic results turnaround, faster than most paper-based alternatives.
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Duration: 1 sitting, 2 hours
The all in one English test that can be taken in one go.
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AI + Human scoring
Fair and accurate results. AI scoring combined with human expertise means less biased testing.
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Which PTE test does your visa need?
Three tests, three purposes. Match your application to the right PTE test in the table below.
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- Test
- Who it's best for
- What it solves
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- PTE Core
- Adults applying for Canadian Permanent Residence (Express Entry, PNP) or the Post-Graduation Work Permit
- The English test IRCC accepts for Canadian pathways. AI + Human expertise scored. Results in 2 business days
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- PTE Academic
- Adults applying to global universities, or for skilled migration or a study visa to Australia and New Zealand
- Accepted by 4000+ universities globally and by INZ. AI + Human expertise scored. Results typically in under 2 business days
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- PTE Express
- International students applying to US colleges and universities only
- At-home delivery for US institutional admissions only. Find PTE Express on the Study & Career Growth page
Frequently asked questions
The questions adult test-takers, Registered Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs), and sponsoring employers ask us most often before they book.
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Which PTE test should I take when applying for Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry or PNP?
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PTE Core. IRCC accepts PTE Core for key Canadian immigration programs, including Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program.
How quickly do PTE Core and PTE Academic results arrive after I sit the test?
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Most PTE Core and PTE Academic results are released in 2 business days. You receive an email when your score report is ready in your Pearson account. You can then share your verified score with IRCC, universities, and employers at no per-send fee.
How does PTE Core map to the Canadian Language Benchmarks scale for IRCC pathways?
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PTE Core scores on the 10 to 90 scale convert into CLB bands that IRCC uses to set English requirements for each pathway. The official Pearson CLB conversion table is the reference your RCIC or IRCC officer will check. The current table is linked in Module 10 below.
How does PTE score my test, and why can I trust the result?
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PTE uses AI + Human expertise. The AI component is trained by language experts and refined across 350M+ Pearson test responses, with anomaly review by trained human experts. The CRELLA 2025 study independently confirmed that PTE Academic results are concordant with the IELTS scale. Your result does not depend on which examiner you happened to get.
Is PTE Express accepted for migration or visa applications in Canada or Australia?
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No. PTE Express is for US college and university admissions only and is not designed for visa or migration applications anywhere. For Canadian PR or PGWP, take PTE Core. For Australia or New Zealand migration, take PTE Academic. For US institutional admissions, see the Study and Career Growth page.
Is PTE accepted for immigration to the United States or US work visas?
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No. PTE is not used for US migration anywhere. The US does not require an English proficiency test for migration. PTE Academic is widely accepted for migration to Australia and New Zealand, and PTE Core is the IRCC-accepted test for Canadian pathways.
Can my RCIC or sponsoring employer book the PTE test on my behalf?
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You book and sit the test yourself, but your RCIC, immigration lawyer, or sponsoring employer can be added as a score recipient through your Pearson account at no extra charge. PTE Core and PTE Academic both support unlimited score sharing, so you can send your verified result to IRCC, multiple provincial nominees, and your advisor or sponsor in one workflow.
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Book PTE Core test
Find a test center, pick a date, and reserve your PTE Core test for your Canadian immigration pathway.
Book your PTE Core test
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Book PTE Academic test
Pick a Pearson VUE center and book PTE Academic for a university application or for skilled migration to Australia and New Zealand.
Book your PTE Academic test
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Find a test center
Search test centers in your country and city to find a test center that fits your visa or admissions deadline.
Find a test center
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Start PTE preparation
Official PTE Core and PTE Academic preparation resources, scored practice tests, and sample questions for all four skills.
Start your official PTE preparation
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Partners & Institutions
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Accept PTE
When it comes to English tests, we're dedicated to being the best — so you can accept PTE safe in the knowledge that it will remain secure, accurate and trusted.
Accept PTE
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Teachers guide to Pearson PTE
Teachers guide to Pearson PTE: Learn more about our PTE tests and explore teaching resources to help prepare your learners for success.
Learn more
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Agents guide to Pearson PTE
Partner with Pearson to deliver a first-class experience.
Learn more
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Research PTE
We invest in ongoing research to inform the development and validity of our English tests, and ensure PTE remains secure, accurate and trusted.
Learn more
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