PTE Core is the version of the Pearson Test of English designed for general English, and it is the PTE test accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for economic immigration. If you have seen PTE Academic materials, be careful: several tasks, timings and word counts are different.
PTE Core at a glance
| Part | Time | Question types |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1: Speaking & Writing | 50–65 minutes | 7 |
| Part 2: Reading | 27–37 minutes | 5 |
| Part 3: Listening | 22–37 minutes | 7 |
The test is taken on computer. Like PTE Academic, recordings play only once, there is no scheduled break, and you cannot return to a question after moving on.
Part 1: Speaking & Writing
| # | Task | Items per test | What you do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read Aloud | 6–7 | Read a short text aloud after 30–40 seconds of preparation |
| 2 | Repeat Sentence | 10–12 | Repeat a sentence you hear, exactly |
| 3 | Describe Image | 3–4 | Describe a graph, picture, map or process (25 s preparation, 40 s speaking) |
| 4 | Respond to a Situation | 2–4 | Respond aloud to an everyday situation shown as text and heard as audio |
| 5 | Answer Short Question | 5–6 | Give a one- or few-word answer to a spoken question |
| 6 | Summarize Written Text | 1–2 | Summarise a passage in 25–50 words (10 minutes) |
| 7 | Write Email | 2–3 | Write an email responding to a scenario (9 minutes) |
Summarize Written Text on PTE Core
Unlike PTE Academic's one-sentence rule, PTE Core asks for a summary of 25–50 words, and you may use one or more complete sentences. Focus on the main idea and the most important supporting points, and keep grammar accurate.
Write Email: the task that replaces the essay
You get a short scenario with points to cover, for example contacting a landlord about a repair or asking a manager for time off. You write an appropriate email in 9 minutes. Aim for roughly 80–120 words, cover every point, and match the tone to the reader: formal, semi-formal or informal. Our PTE Core Write Email guide covers structure and useful phrases in detail.
Respond to a Situation
This is one of the tasks where PTE Core feels most like real life. Speak to the person in the situation, not about them. For example, "Hi Sam, I'm sorry, but I won't be able to make Thursday's meeting..." is better than "I would tell Sam that...".
Read Aloud and Repeat Sentence
These two tasks appear most often in Part 1. For Read Aloud, use the preparation time to read the text silently and notice where natural pauses fall, then read at a steady, conversational pace. For Repeat Sentence, listen for meaning rather than individual words: remembering a sentence as an idea ("the store closes early on public holidays") is easier than memorising a string of words. If you miss part of the sentence, keep going and say what you remember fluently rather than stopping.
Answer Short Question
Keep answers short. A word or short phrase is expected, for example "a thermometer" or "on Sundays". There is no benefit in explaining your answer.
Part 2: Reading
| # | Task | Items per test |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks (drop-down) | 5–6 |
| 2 | Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers | 1–2 |
| 3 | Reorder Paragraph | 2–3 |
| 4 | Reading: Fill in the Blanks (drag and drop) | 4–5 |
| 5 | Multiple Choice, Single Answer | 1–2 |
Reading texts come from everyday sources: workplace notices, community information, consumer advice and similar material. Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers uses negative marking, so only select options you are confident about.
Part 3: Listening
| # | Task | Items per test | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Summarize Spoken Text | 1–2 | Recording of about 45–75 s; write 20–30 words in 8 minutes |
| 2 | Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers | 1–2 | Negative marking |
| 3 | Fill in the Blanks | 2–3 | Type missing words into a transcript |
| 4 | Multiple Choice, Single Answer | 1–2 | One correct answer |
| 5 | Select Missing Word | 1–2 | Choose the words replaced by a beep |
| 6 | Highlight Incorrect Words | 1–2 | Click words that differ from the recording; negative marking |
| 7 | Write from Dictation | 3–4 | Type the sentence you hear; scored word by word |
Write from Dictation contributes to both Listening and Writing, so accuracy and spelling there pay off twice.
How PTE Core differs from PTE Academic
| PTE Core | PTE Academic | |
|---|---|---|
| Main use | Canadian immigration (IRCC) | Study abroad, many visa routes |
| Content | Everyday, workplace, community | Academic |
| Question types | 19 | 22 |
| Extended writing | Write Email | Write Essay |
| Re-tell Lecture | No | Yes |
| Summarize Group Discussion | No | Yes |
| Highlight Correct Summary | No | Yes |
| Score scale | 10–90 | 10–90 |
For a deeper comparison, read PTE Academic vs PTE Core.
Scores and CLB
You receive an overall score and four skill scores (Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing) on a 10–90 scale. For immigration, what matters is how each skill score converts to a Canadian Language Benchmark level. Each skill has its own conversion table, which we explain in PTE Core scores to CLB.
Where to focus your preparation
Not every task deserves equal time. A practical way to prioritise:
| Priority | Tasks | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High | Repeat Sentence, Read Aloud | They appear most often and feed Speaking |
| High | Write Email, Write from Dictation | They are central to your Writing score, which often decides your CLB level |
| High | Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks, Reading: Fill in the Blanks | Frequent, and they feed more than one skill |
| Medium | Describe Image, Respond to a Situation, Summarize Written Text, Summarize Spoken Text | Fewer items, but open responses where structure pays off |
| Lower | Multiple-choice tasks | Few items; negative marking on Multiple Answers means caution beats guessing |
"Lower priority" does not mean skip it. It means these should not take most of your study time.
A two-week format familiarisation plan
| Days | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Full practice test under timed conditions |
| 2–4 | Speaking tasks: record and review Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence and Describe Image daily |
| 5–7 | Writing: one Summarize Written Text and one Write Email each day, timed |
| 8–10 | Reading and Listening: fill-in-the-blank tasks and Write from Dictation in timed sets |
| 11–12 | Respond to a Situation and Answer Short Question; practise speaking to the person, not about them |
| 13–14 | Second full practice test; convert each skill score to CLB and set your next priorities |
Test day checklist
- A valid passport (check Pearson's ID policy for your country)
- Arrive early for check-in, identity verification and your photo
- Speak at a steady volume; do not lean into the microphone
- Leave everything except permitted items in the locker; notes go on the erasable board provided
Practise PTE Core in the real format
The fastest gains usually come from drilling the high-frequency tasks (Repeat Sentence, Read Aloud, the fill-in-the-blanks tasks, Write from Dictation) and from making Write Email automatic.
EnglishHub's PTE Core simulator follows the real three-part format, with 50 full mock tests, 200 practice sets and AI feedback on speaking and writing. Your first mock is free: start a PTE Core mock test, or visit the PTE Core practice hub.
EnglishHub is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson or IRCC. Always confirm the current format on the official PTE website and language requirements on the IRCC website.
Frequently asked questions
Is PTE Core accepted for Canadian permanent residence?
Yes. IRCC accepts PTE Core for economic immigration programs, and results are converted to CLB levels for each skill. Confirm the current list of approved tests on the IRCC website before booking.
How long is PTE Core?
Under two hours. Part 1 (Speaking and Writing) takes about 50–65 minutes, Part 2 (Reading) 27–37 minutes and Part 3 (Listening) 22–37 minutes.
Does PTE Core have an essay?
No. PTE Core has no essay. Its main extended writing task is Write Email, alongside Summarize Written Text.
How many questions are in PTE Core?
A PTE Core test has between 52 and 67 items across 19 question types. The exact number varies between test forms.
Is PTE Core easier than PTE Academic?
PTE Core uses everyday, workplace and community contexts rather than academic ones, so many candidates find the content more familiar. The skills are demanding in their own way, and the two tests are not interchangeable.
