Academic, UKVI, and Core
Choose between PTE Academic, PTE Academic UKVI, and PTE Core, then move into the matching EdKnot practice route.
Start with the product your institution, visa route, or authority accepts. Then move into the matching practice set.
The right PTE route depends on the organization receiving your score, not on which test looks easiest. Confirm the accepted product first: Academic and UKVI share the same preparation, while Core uses Core-specific tasks and CLB-oriented planning for Canadian routes.
Pearson and the receiving institution or authority control booking rules, ID rules, fees, accepted scores, and score validity. EdKnot helps with preparation decisions and scored practice; it does not replace official checks.
Match the test to where your score is going, then open the matching preparation hub.
For university study, skilled migration to Australia or New Zealand, and most accepting bodies that ask for an academic English test.
For UK routes that require a Secure English Language Test. Same test content as Academic — the difference is the approved centre and the score report.
For Canadian permanent residency, citizenship, and work routes that accept PTE Core, with CLB-oriented score planning.
Still deciding between the two tests? Compare fees, result speed, speaking format, retake rules, and the official score equivalence.
These route facts are enough to start planning. Check official sources before booking.
PTE Academic, PTE Academic UKVI, and PTE Core are taken on a computer at authorized test centers.
All supported PTE routes assess speaking, writing, reading, and listening.
PTE Academic / UKVI has 22 question types; PTE Core has 19.
Take PTE Academic for study applications (including Canadian study permits) and for Australian visas; take PTE Academic UKVI — the same test taken at an approved SELT centre — for UK visa routes; and take PTE Core for Canadian economic immigration, citizenship and PGWP applications.
No. IRCC accepts PTE Core for economic immigration streams such as Express Entry and PNP, for citizenship and for PGWP applications, but study permit applicants need PTE Academic.
No, Australia does not accept PTE Core — you need PTE Academic for Australian visas. For tests taken from 7 August 2025, Competent English requires per-skill minimums of Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51 and Speaking 54.
