PTE Core vs Academic

PTE Academic and PTE Core are two exams. PTE test preparation works better when the tasks stay in the right exam. This page is a practice guide. It is not an official Pearson comparison and it does not decide a visa or a university application.

What each exam is used for

PTE Academic is the exam universities and some visa routes ask for. PTE Core is the general English exam used for Canadian immigration routes that accept it. Check the institution or the visa page for the exact test name before you book. A practice score on this site does not replace that requirement.

Tasks that differ

Write Essay is an Academic task: 200–300 words, with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Write Email is a Core task: 50–120 words to a named person. Describe Image, Read Aloud, and Repeat Sentence are the Academic speaking tasks this site opens under PTE Academic. Core speaking practice includes Respond to a Situation. Summaries exist on both exams, and the Core versions stay in the Core list.

What stays the same

Both exams test speaking, writing, reading, and listening. Both use a 10–90 scale on the real Pearson test. Practice on PTE Pro Lab uses its own marks for words heard, correct blanks, and word count. Those marks are practice scores.

How to practice here

A free account includes 1 practice in each module, counted separately for Academic and Core. The Academic speaking practice does not use the Core speaking practice. After that free attempt, premium is $16 per month and is 50% off at $8. Start with the task you need, then take the PTE mock test online for that exam.

PTE Academic practice test PTE Core practice test PTE mock test online Write Essay Write Email