Pearson PTE Language Test: a new standard for immigration and education in Canada

Pearson PTE has been added to the list of language exams for immigrants to Canada. One of the PTE tests is also accepted by Canadian universities as proof of English proficiency. Should you choose this test instead of IELTS? What are its features? We'll answer these and other questions.

Who conducts PTE tests?

The tests are conducted by Pearson Language Tests — part of Pearson PLC, which is one of the world's largest educational companies.

Pearson Language Tests has been developing English language tests since the early 1980s. PLT tests are accredited and conducted in partnership with Edexcel — one of the main British examination boards.

About the tests and their advantages

So what exactly are these Pearson tests? And why are they interesting to us? They're interesting because you can take them instead of IELTS to prove your English proficiency for getting a visa or permanent residence in Canada. Or to get into a Canadian university and go study there.

There are several reasons why you might consider taking Pearson PTE instead of IELTS.

The test is adapted for "international" English. Everyone knows there's a difference between "American" English and "British" English. Well, when you take Pearson PTE, using British spelling instead of American or vice versa won't be counted as an error.

Second, the completed test is evaluated by artificial intelligence combined with human assessment. According to Pearson, this allows each work to be evaluated impartially and eliminates the possibility of examiner error. It also significantly speeds up result delivery. While you need to wait about two weeks for IELTS and TOEFL results taken at test centers, PTE Academic results are mostly available within two days.

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The PTE test is fully automated and taken on a computer. A person comes to the test center, sits at a computer, and takes the test. For some people, this is much easier. For example, many can't do well on the speaking part of the exam not because of lack of knowledge, but because they get too nervous about having to communicate with an examiner. PTE eliminates this kind of stress.

What's easier: IELTS or Pearson PTE?

In terms of difficulty, the tests are roughly the same. Each has its own specifics, and it's advisable to prepare well for each of them. Some people will prefer IELTS because of its classic, familiar format. Others will find it easier to handle PTE because the test is fully computerized and automated.

As for price, Pearson PTE costs about the same as IELTS/TOEFL, often less. Prices for each country where you can take PTE are listed on Pearson's official website. The table below shows a comparison of PTE and IELTS prices in some countries (prices may vary depending on the specific test center).

PTE Academic and PTE Core

For Canada, we're interested in two tests: PTE Academic and PTE Core. PTE Academic is suitable for those who need to prove their English knowledge for studies. PTE Core is a test for those who need to demonstrate their language proficiency for work and life in an English-speaking country. PTE Academic is recognized by about 90% of Canadian universities, including prestigious ones like McGill University, University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, and University of Alberta.

PTE Core is a test that can be taken by those who want to get a work permit or permanent residence in Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) began accepting PTE Core results for all economic immigration programs on January 30, 2024.

PTE Academic

PTE Academic is taken on a computer and lasts 2-2.5 hours. Like most language tests, it consists of 4 components: Speaking, Listening, Writing, and Reading. PTE Academic consists of 20 different question types.

Speaking and Writing are taken in one block. This is the longest part of the test. It lasts about an hour and contains 7 types of questions. Test takers need to talk about themselves orally, orally and in writing summarize short lectures, briefly answer questions, write a short essay, and read aloud.

Reading lasts half an hour. It features 5 different types of questions. In this part of the test, you need to choose correct answers to questions about a given text, arrange text from several paragraphs, and fill in gaps in texts. Note that Reading also assesses writing skills. When you fill in answers in empty fields, these answers will be used to evaluate your writing skills.

After completing the first two sections of the test, you can take a 10-minute break. You can rest longer, of course, but time over 10 minutes will be deducted from the remaining test time.

Listening is allocated 30-40 minutes. The test consists of 8 types of questions. During Listening, test takers watch video clips and listen to audio excerpts with related questions. Each excerpt is played only once, but you can take notes while listening. You need to fill in words in text gaps, find missing words, write a brief summary of the heard text, write a short dictation, and solve classic tests.

A special aspect of PTE Academic is that it uses English that, according to the Pearson PTE website, can be heard in academic environments.

PTE Core

PTE Core is a test that launched on January 30, 2024. Its main purpose is to check whether a person speaks English at a level that would allow them to live and work in an English-speaking country. This test is perfect for those planning to immigrate to Canada. Moreover, it was developed almost specifically for immigrants to Canada.

"Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has chosen Pearson to launch the newest language test that proves English proficiency," according to Pearson's press release.

This is an updated version of PTE Essential. The test, like PTE Academic, checks 4 skills: Reading, Speaking, Writing and Listening. So, PTE Core consists of the same components as the academic version and takes about 2 hours.

It's important to remember that PTE Core is designed for those who plan to live and work in Canada. If someone wants to apply to a Canadian college, they need to take PTE Academic.

Our clients have already had the chance to take this test and received their results:

Scoring System

The PTE test scores range from 10 to 90 points. Below is a table showing how average PTE scores compare to IELTS scores:

Also check out the CLB to PTE conversion:

To get a visa to Canada or apply to a college/university, you usually need an average IELTS score of at least 6.0 (which equals CLB 7). In that case, to get into a university you need to score at least 50 points in each component of PTE Academic (Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing). Pearson PTE notes on their website that the typical required average score ranges from 58 to 73.

For immigration to Canada, the required language level varies depending on many factors. Many immigration programs only require English at CLB 4-5 level (roughly IELTS 4-5). In that case, scoring 30 points on PTE Core would be enough.

Can You Take Pearson PTE Online?

There are no plans for an online version of PTE Core — you can only take it in person at a test center. Fortunately, there are hundreds of them around the world. You can find information about the nearest center on the official Pearson Test of English website.

PTE Academic does have an online version, but it's a bit complicated. Universities that accept PTE Academic also accept the online version, but the online test doesn't work for visa applications.

How to Take It?

You can book the test on the Pearson PTE website. Click the "Book a test" button and choose the test you need from the list. You'll be redirected to another page where you can enter your city or country in the search bar. From the list below, you can choose the nearest center that offers Pearson tests. The calendar lets you pick a convenient date and time. After that, you'll need to provide passport information, pay for the test, and wait for your test date. You can book the exam just 24 hours before the test.

There are currently no centers in Russia that offer Pearson exams. But they are available in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Armenia, and Georgia.

Summary

In some cases, Pearson PTE can be a great alternative to IELTS. It's often cheaper, and you can book the test and get results faster. Some people might find it easier because it's completely computer-based.

However, you can't definitively say it's easier than IELTS — both tests require preparation and each has its own specifics. If you're already familiar with the IELTS format, have prepared for it, and can take it, there's not much point in switching to PTE. But if you're just starting to think about taking a language test, we'd recommend taking a closer look at Pearson PTE.

If you need help preparing for language tests or just want to improve your English, sign up for online classes at the Canadian language school ILAC. Just a few months of intensive classes with certified native-speaking teachers will help you significantly improve your level. And the affordable price is a nice bonus.