PTE Academic and PTE Core share a 10–90 scale but differ in purpose, content and tasks. Compare them side by side and find out which one your goal requires.
Pearson offers two main PTE tests, and they look similar at first glance: same computer-based delivery, same scoring scale, many of the same task names. But they are built for different purposes, and booking the wrong one can mean paying twice. Here is how they compare.
| Your goal | Test to consider | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian permanent residence (Express Entry and other economic programs) |
PTE Core is Pearson's English test for Canadian immigration. Learn its three parts, 19 question types, timings and the Write Email task that replaces the essay.
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The current PTE Academic format in one place: three parts, 22 question types, item counts and timings, including the two speaking tasks added in August 2025.
Put it into practice
Real exam format and timing, with scoring on every section. No credit card required.
More on PTE and exam guides.
| PTE Core |
| IRCC's current list of approved tests |
| University or college admission | PTE Academic | The institution's English requirements |
| Visa for Australia, the UK or New Zealand | Usually PTE Academic (or a specific variant) | The official immigration website for your visa type |
| Professional registration | Depends on the body | The regulator's accepted tests and minimum scores |
If you are unsure, ask the receiving organisation in writing which test and which scores it accepts.
| PTE Academic | PTE Core | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Academic study, many visa and professional routes | General English; Canadian economic immigration |
| Content | Academic texts, lectures, discussions | Everyday, workplace and community situations |
| Parts | Speaking & Writing, Reading, Listening | Speaking & Writing, Reading, Listening |
| Timing | About 2 hours (maximum 2 h 15 min) | Under 2 hours |
| Items per test | 65–75 | 52–67 |
| Question types | 22 | 19 |
| Extended writing | Write Essay (200–300 words, 20 min) | Write Email (9 min) |
| Summarize Written Text | One sentence, 5–75 words | 25–50 words, one or more sentences |
| Score scale | 10–90 overall and per skill | 10–90 overall and per skill |
| Official score alignment | CEFR | CLB (per skill) |
Many tasks share a name but use different content or limits:
Both tests report an overall score and four skill scores on a 10–90 scale. That does not make them equivalent:
For details, see PTE Academic scoring explained and PTE Core scores to CLB.
The parts appear in the same order in both tests, but their lengths differ:
| Part | PTE Academic | PTE Core |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking & Writing | 76–84 minutes | 50–65 minutes |
| Reading | 23–30 minutes | 27–37 minutes |
| Listening | 31–39 minutes | 22–37 minutes |
PTE Academic's first part is much longer because it contains more speaking task types and the 20-minute essay. PTE Core's Speaking & Writing part is shorter, but it includes two or three 9-minute emails, so writing speed still matters.
Both tests share the same basic rules: media plays once, there is no scheduled break, and you cannot go back to a previous question.
| Skill | Transfers well between tests? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Oral fluency and pronunciation | Yes | Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence and Describe Image work the same way |
| Spelling and dictation accuracy | Yes | Write from Dictation and Fill in the Blanks appear in both |
| Negative-marking discipline | Yes | Both use it on Multiple Answers and Highlight Incorrect Words |
| Summary writing | Partly | Word limits and sentence rules differ |
| Extended writing | No | Essay and email need different structures and tone |
| Topic vocabulary | Partly | Academic vs everyday and workplace topics |
Amira is a nurse planning to move to Canada through Express Entry, and she may also study a bridging program later. Which PTE should she book?
The general rule: book for the decision that is happening first, and confirm acceptance in writing.
If you have prepared for one test and now need the other, most of your core skills transfer: fluency, pronunciation, spelling and listening accuracy help in both. Focus your switch-over time on:
| Area | Preparing for PTE Academic | Preparing for PTE Core |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary | Academic word families, research and study language | Everyday, workplace and community language |
| Reading practice | Articles, textbook-style extracts | Notices, instructions, consumer and workplace texts |
| Listening practice | Lectures, academic discussions | Conversations, announcements, everyday talks |
| Writing practice | Essays and one-sentence summaries | Emails in different tones and 25–50 word summaries |
| Speaking practice | Lecture retells, group discussion summaries | Everyday situations and short responses |
Whichever test you choose, the same foundations pay off: steady oral fluency, accurate spelling, and disciplined timing.
Send these to the organisation that will receive your score, and keep the answer in writing:
The answers take the guesswork out of choosing, and they protect you from booking a test that cannot be used.
EnglishHub has separate real-format simulators for both tests, each with 50 full mock tests, 200 practice sets and AI feedback on speaking and writing. Your first mock is free on each: PTE Academic and PTE Core. Want the complete task list first? Read the PTE Academic format guide or the PTE Core format guide.
EnglishHub is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson or IRCC. Always confirm which test you need with the organisation receiving your scores.
No. For Canadian economic immigration, IRCC accepts PTE Core, not PTE Academic. If your goal is Canadian PR, book PTE Core (or another IRCC-approved test).
PTE Core is designed for general English and Canadian immigration. Universities typically ask for PTE Academic. Check with the institution before booking anything else.
No. Both use a 10–90 scale, but they are different tests with different content, so a score on one cannot be used in place of the other.
They measure different kinds of English. PTE Academic uses academic texts and lectures; PTE Core uses everyday and workplace contexts. Many candidates find Core's content more familiar, but both require strong, timed performance.
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How to handle PTE Core Write Email in 9 minutes: reading the scenario, choosing a tone, a simple structure, word count guidance and phrases for each register.
6 min read