Do you know about the PTE core exam required by the Canadian government? It assesses your abilities in the English language, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. However, to get a great score on the exam, you must know all about the test, whether its format, scoring, registration process, fees, and more. To make this task easier for you, we’re here to support you! As in this blog, we have provided all the details about the exam. So, let’s get started with the blog by first understanding what is PTE core test and its perks.
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To answer what is PTE Core, it is a computer-based general test of English that evaluates various skills of an individual. Moreover, the test is well-recognized by the Canadian government (IRCC) for work and immigration applications. It is a digital test that evaluates your reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities. Besides, it is scored using Artificial Intelligence (AI), making it reliable and accurate. The test acts as a gateway for someone seeking a work permit or Canadian citizenship.
If you are planning to migrate to Canada, the PTE core score is essential. However, if you intend to study in Canada, you must take the PTE Academic exam.
Further, the next section discusses the reasons for choosing the PTE Core test along with their description.
There are various perks to taking the PTE Core test. Listed below are a few of these:
Quick and Convenient: PTE core exam booking can be done online. A wide range of test dates and locations are available. Moreover, students do not need to wait long for the results; they can get it within two days.
Fair and Accurate: The PTE Core scores are marked by AI, not humans, reflecting the test's accuracy and reliability.
Flexible and Adaptable: The scores for the PTE Core test are valid for two years and can be used for multiple visa applications.
Affordable and Accessible: The PTE core exam can help you save money and time. This is because it has a lower fee and the results are quick as compared to other exams.
These are a few of the test's benefits. Let's look at the PTE exam pattern and format of each section.
The PTE Core test format is split into three main parts:
Part 1 - Speaking & Writing Section: This part assesses your speaking and writing skills in around 50 minutes.
Part 2 - Reading Section: This section evaluates students’ reading skills in 30 minutes.
Part 3 - Listening Section: This part will test your listening skills in 30 minutes.
This is one of the longest parts of the PTE exam. The PTE Core test format of the speaking and writing section contains seven different types of questions. The table shows the format:
| Task | Description |
|---|---|
| Personal Introduction | This section helps you get familiar with PTE test. Moreover, this does not contribute to your overall score. |
| Read Aloud | A text up to 60 words appears on the screen and you have to read it aloud. |
| Repeat Sentence | You will listen to a recording of a sentence and repeat it. |
| Describe Image | The screen will show an image and the candidate will have to describe it in detail. |
| Respond to a Situation | You will listen to and read a situation that is a text up to 60 words. Further, answer it with an extended response. |
| Answer Short Question | You will listen to a question, and answer it with a single word or a few words. |
| Summarize Written Text | You will read a passage of up to 200 words and then write a short summary of about 25-50 words. |
| Write Email | You will read the text of up to 100 words and then write an email in response of 80-120 words. |
The reading section in the PTE core exam contains five different question types. The table below shows the format.
| Task | Description |
|---|---|
| Reading and Writing: Fill in the blanks | A text up to 200 words will be provided along with several gaps. Candidate must select a word from the list of words in the drop down box. |
| Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer | The multiple choice questions consist of a text up to 275 words, based on tone and content you can select more than one response. |
| Reorder Paragraph | For this question type, you must select and place the boxes in the original order. The text in the boxes is up to 110 words. |
| Fill in the Blanks | A text up to 80 words with gaps appears on the screen. And a box with several words will be given. You will have to drag and drop words from the box in the blanks. |
| Multiple Choice, Single Answer | You will read the text up to 110 words. There are several response options but only one is correct. |
To ace the reading section it is vital that you know the PTE reading rules and regulations.
The test format of the listening section contains seven different kinds of questions. These questions are based on either an audio clip or a video clip, which is played once. You may even take notes while listening to the audio. Here’s a table below that shows the format along with the description of tasks.
| Task | Description |
|---|---|
| Summarize Spoken Text | You will listen to a recording and then write a summary of 20-30 words. |
| Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer | After listening to the recording you will have to select multiple correct answers from the options provided. |
| Fill in the Blanks | A transcript of a recording with several gaps will be given. You will have to type the missing word in the blank. |
| Multiple Choice, Single Answer | You will have to listen to the recording and select the paragraph that best summarizes it. |
| Select Missing Word | You must select the missing word that completes the recording from a list of options |
| Highlight Incorrect Words | A transcript containing several errors. You need to click on the words that are different from the recording. |
| Write from Dictation | A recording of a sentence will be provided, you will have to type the sentence in the box. |
This section covered the test format. Your PTE Core preparation must include all the above tasks. Further, to score well in the exam, you must know the scoring system. Let us look at it in detail in the next section.
Also Read: PTE Retell Lecture
PTE Core test scores are calculated using technology and computerized methods. The AI scoring system ensures PTE score validity and that you get a fair and accurate score every time. Moreover, there is no human interaction during your test, reducing the risk of bias.
Students receive the results in approximately 48 hours. Besides, you can share your scores with any institution, including the IRCC, for free.
The overall score in the PTE Core test is based on your performance and ranges between 10–90 points. A candidate will complete between 49 and 54 tasks in the given test and a range of 19 different task types. Let us further look at the PTE Core score chart in the table below.
| CLB | PTE Core Listening | PTE Core Reading | PTE Core Speaking | PTE Core Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 89–90 | 88–90 | 89–90 | 90 |
| 9 | 82–88 | 78–87 | 84–88 | 88–89 |
| 8 | 71–81 | 69–77 | 76–83 | 79–87 |
| 7 | 60–70 | 60–68 | 68–75 | 69–78 |
| 6 | 50–59 | 51–59 | 59–67 | 60–68 |
| 5 | 39–49 | 42–50 | 51–58 | 51–59 |
| 4 | 28–38 | 33–41 | 42–50 | 41–50 |
| 3 | 18–27 | 24–32 | 34–41 | 32–40 |
This is the PTE Core score chart , which depicts the alignment between PTE Core and CLB. Let's move on to the exam registration process.
PTE core test booking is quite simple and has a few steps:
Now, you can manage your PTE core test booking in the "MyPTE" section. You may also book the PTE Core exam by phone or in person at a test centre.
This was all about the registration process. The next section discusses the PTE Core fees, cancellation, and rescheduling fees.
Read More: Process Chart PTE
The PTE core price in India is INR 17,000. You can claim a refund and cancel the exam for free if there are at least 14 days left for your test. Students who cancel the test with less than 14 days left but at least seven full days before their test date will be required to pay 50% of the PTE Core fees. However, if the candidate plans to reschedule the test with fewer than 7 days left before the test, are not eligible to get the refund.
Further, let us look at the PTE Core vs PTE Academic key differences.
The table below shows PTE Core vs PTE Academic differences:
| Feature | PTE Academic (General) | PTE Core |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | This test is for academic purposes such as admission in universities or colleges. | PTE Core on the other hand is given by those who wish to work or immigration purposes. |
| Test Format | Computer-based testing integrated skills. | Computer-based test focusing on practical English skills. |
| Length | Approximately 3 hours. | Approximately 2 hours. |
| Vocabulary | Focuses on academic vocabulary. | Emphasis on everyday and general vocabulary. |
| Difficulty Level | Higher level of difficulty. | Less difficult in comparison to PTE Academic (General) test. |
These are a few difference between PTE Core and PTE Academic exam. Let's move on to the next section which discusses tips to ace the test.
Also Read: PTE Reading Fill in the Blanks
Here are a few tips that will help you excel in the PTE core exams:
Wrapping up! Enacting the PTE Core exam requires a lot of planning and strategic preparation. Moreover, it requires understanding the format, regular practice, and specific time management. Besides, the AI scoring system and digital test format ensure accuracy, fairness, and quick results. Thus, the blog covers all the PTE core tests. This will make the process easy and hassle-free for those who are planning to work or migrate to Canada. If you are still having any questions, then we're here for you! Join our offline or online PTE coaching and take our free PTE reading practice test.
Yes, candidates can retake the PTE core test if they are not satisfied with the scores. However, before booking another test, they must wait until they receive the previous exam results.
The answer depends on what your purpose is and what you intend to pursue. There are a few differences between PTE Core and PTE Academic exam. The PTE core is for people who wish to work or migrate in Canada. However, PTE Academic is for those who wish to study in Canada or other nations.
The PTE Core exam consists of three sections which take about 1 hour and 50 minutes. Due to administrative measures and to give test takers some time between sections, the total time of the test is approximately 2 hours.
Yes, the PTE core score for Canada PR is now acceptable for all immigration pathways, except for the Student Direct Stream (SDS). However, the scores must range between 60-68 for reading, 69-78 for writing, 60-70 in listening, and 68-75 in speaking.
Neither of the exams is easier than the other. Although the pattern, syllabus and duration varies in both the exams. But, PTE vs IELTS, both tests evaluate the fundamental English language skills of an individual; reading, writing, speaking and listening.
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