What Exactly is a PTE Certificate? If you are planning to travel abroad for either work or study, then you need a PTE certificate. Most universities and institutions abroad require a minimum PTE score.
What Exactly is a PTE Certificate?
PTE stands for Pearson Test of English. It is an international computer-based English Language competency test. To legally obtain a PTE certificate, candidates need to register online and sit for their test in an authorized PTE testing center. There are many of these centers around the world.
What are the various types of PTE certificates?
- PTE General: The International Certificate (PTE General) is designed to reward positive achievement in English language learning. The test is an assessment solution as it’s intended for learners of English who are speakers of other languages (ESOL).
- PTE Academic: The PTE Academic is a computer-based English test that measures a candidate’s understanding of English. It is an exam that is taken primarily by students and prospective employees who would like to study abroad or immigrate to an English-speaking country such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
How much does a PTE Certificate cost?
There is no fixed price for a PTE certificate. This is because the price usually depends on the fees required by your testing center. Search for a testing center in your location and find out the fees. Below are the fees we got from the official Pearson website;
1. PTE Academic
| TYPE | COST |
|---|---|
| PTE Academic | $410 AUD |
| PTE Academic Online | $410 AUD |
2. UK Visa and Immigration tests
| TYPE | COST |
|---|---|
| PTE Academic UKVI | $410 AUD |
| PTE Home A1 | $345 AUD |
| PTE Home A2 | $345 AUD |
| PTE Home B1 | $345 AUD |
Where is it accepted?
PTE scores are accepted by hundreds of schools, universities, and government bodies around the world. Amongst others, below is a list of 7 countries that accept PTE scores;
How to Obtain a PTE Certificate?
There are two main ways by which you can obtain a PTE certificate that is;
- By booking for your exam and sitting for the exams in a testing center. (Official procedure).
- By buying a genuine PTE certificate online without sitting for exams. (Unofficial Procedure).
Whichever method you choose has its advantages and disadvantages. But that will not be our focus in this article. Research and find out which option is best for you.
Understanding the PTE Scoring System
Generally, PTE Academic gives you a score from 10–90 on the Global Scale of English, so you can measure your English skills with pinpoint accuracy.
PTE Academic Score: 85–90
Required for: Typically, we don’t see universities or governments requesting scores this high.
This is the highest level of English ability we can measure. At this level, you would be extremely comfortable engaging in academic and work activities at all levels. At this level, test takers:
- Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read.
- Can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, then reconstruct arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation.
- Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently, and precisely, then differentiate finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
PTE Academic Score: 76–84
Required for: Australian Skilled Migration Visas
This is a very high level of English proficiency. This level of English is generally not required for undergraduate courses.
At this level, test takers generally:
- Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognize implicit meaning.
- Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.
- Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes.
- Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors, and cohesive devices.
PTE Academic Score: 59–75
At this level, test takers generally:
- Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization.
- Can interact with a degree of oral fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
- Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects then explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
PTE Academic Score: 43–58
Required for: Typically, this may be required for undergraduate-level study.
At this level, test takers generally:
- Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
- Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst in an area where the language is spoken.
- Can produce simple connected text on topics, which are familiar or of personal interest.
- Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions then briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
PTE Academic Score: 30–42
Required for: Typically, this level is too low to engage in academic coursework, but may be set for Foundation Year courses.
At this level, test takers generally:
- Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g., very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment).
- Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
- Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment, and matters in areas of immediate need.
PTE Academic Score: 10–29
Required for: Typically, this level is too low to engage in academic coursework or Foundation Year courses.
At this level, test takers generally:
- Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type.
- Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows, and things he/she has.
- Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
Can you Buy a PTE Certificate Without Exams?
The short answer is YES you can! To do so, please kindly read the article on How to Obtain a PTE Certificate Without Exams. Doing so comes with some advantages. Discover the benefits of buying a PTE certificate without exams.
