About 2 hours
Test lengthPearson presents PTE Academic as a single computer-based test covering all four communicative skills.
PTE Academic / UKVI
PTE Academic / UKVI preparation guide
Prepare for PTE Academic and UKVI with 22 task types, section-aware practice, mock-test checkpoints, and official-source booking checks.
Academic / UKVI library22 question types
Full task coverage for Academic and UKVI learners, with practice status visible by task.
Academic and UKVI: same test skills, different booking purpose
Prepare with the same task set, but confirm the route before booking because the UKVI version provides the reference needed for some UK visa applications.
Feature
Use when
Typical routes
What to check
PTE Academic
Use whenYou need an academic English test for study, work, migration, or professional registration where Academic is accepted.
Typical routesUniversity, college, Australia or New Zealand migration, and other accepting-body requirements.
What to checkInstitution score requirement, accepted test version, section minimums, and score validity.
PTE Academic UKVI
Use whenYour UK route requires a four-skills Secure English Language Test and names the UKVI version.
Typical routesSome UK work visas and below-degree study pathways that require UKVI evidence.
What to checkUK Home Office route, SELT requirement, URN use, ID rules, and booking product.
Key takeaways
PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI have the same content, format, and scoring.
Academic / UKVI reports show an overall score and communicative skill scores on a 10-90 scale.
Academic / UKVI is taken at an authorized test center, not at home.
Academic / UKVI preparation path
PTE Academic / UKVI preparation should cover the same four skills: speaking, writing, reading, and listening. EdKnot maps 22 Academic / UKVI task types so practice can stay tied to the exact task families behind the score target. For the full section-by-section timing and task-count breakdown, see the PTE exam pattern.
- Academic and UKVI task strategy
- Reading and listening accuracy under time
- Mock-test checkpoints before booking
How to plan the work
Use question-type practice for daily work and full mock tests for checkpoint decisions. If your target requires balanced section scores, do not let one strong skill hide a weaker task family; integrated tasks can influence more than one communicative skill.
- Practise all communicative skills
- Review task-level scoring traits
- Confirm official requirements before booking
UKVI requirements: SELT, URN, and the 2026 B2 change
PTE Academic UKVI is a UK Home Office approved Secure English Language Test (SELT): the test content is identical to Academic, but it must be taken at an approved SELT centre and the score report carries a URN for the visa application. Requirements changed recently — for Skilled Worker visa applications from 8 January 2026 the required level rose from B1 to B2, while below-degree Student routes need B1. If your route only needs speaking and listening at A1, A2, or B1 (partner, extension, and settlement or citizenship routes), the separate PTE Home test covers those levels with a pass/fail result.
- Skilled Worker: B2 required for applications from 8 January 2026 (was B1)
- UKVI must be booked at an approved SELT centre; the report includes a URN
- PTE Home (A1/A2/B1) serves partner, extension, and settlement routes
PTE Academic / UKVI facts that affect preparation
These are the route facts learners usually need before choosing practice, mock tests, or booking timing.
22
Question typesPTE Academic / UKVI question types span speaking, writing, reading, and listening; Academic and UKVI use identical test content.
10-90
Score scaleOfficial reports use an overall score and individual skill scores for listening, reading, speaking, and writing.
Before booking Academic / UKVI
Do these checks before you pay so preparation time is aligned to the right score target.
1
Confirm whether the receiver needs PTE Academic or PTE Academic UKVI.
2
Record the required overall score, section minimums, validity period, and submission deadline.
3
Check that your myPTE account name matches your identification document.
4
Leave time for score release, score sharing, and a possible retake if the target is high.
5
Use a complete mock as a checkpoint after focused task practice, not as daily practice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI?
The test itself is identical in content, format and scoring. PTE Academic UKVI is taken at a Home Office-approved SELT centre and comes with a SELT Unique Reference Number (URN), which UK visa applications require.
What English level do I need for a UK Skilled Worker visa in 2026?
For applications made from 8 January 2026, the Skilled Worker route requires CEFR B2, raised from the previous B1. Student routes below degree level still require B1.
What is PTE Home and who needs it?
PTE Home is a pass/fail speaking and listening test offered at A1, A2 and B1 levels, used for UK partner, extension and settlement visa routes. It is separate from PTE Academic UKVI, which assesses all four skills.